Your Tour Directors
Erik and Vesna
A Walk in the Woods is owned and operated by the husband and wife team Erik and Vesna Plakanis. Between them, they have over 45 years experience in hiking the Appalachian Mountains, covering hundreds of miles of trails. These two naturalists have taken courses on medicinal and edible uses of plants, and animal tracking, as well as years spent studying the natural world from within.
A Walk in the Woods is now in our 9th year of business. In that time we have helped over 22,000 people enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We are permitted through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and insured.
We are certified in S.O.L.O. Wilderness First Aid as well as Red Cross CPR, First Aid Certified and trained in Non-Lethal Aversive Bear Conditioning.
Company History
It started with a through-hike of the Smokies, and turned into the proverbial labor of love...
Although we have always been avid naturalists, we both had very successful careers. Erik has a BBA in Accounting and worked as a Controller for a video post-production house for ten years. Vesna has a BS in Communications and was working towards her Masters in Education. She worked in television as both a reporter and a producer for nine years.
However, our careers became less satisfying and as we struggled to find meaning on this path, our trips to the mountains became more frequent and important.
As we became more dissatisfied with this life, we began discussing an alternative in which we would be doing something we believed in. We were drawn to the Appalachian Mountains and loved being outdoors, but were unclear of how to make this our life's work, instead of just a passion.
Then in late August of 1996, Erik took a backpacking trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone. During this vision quest, he found the answer. Why not share this magic with others? We were experienced hikers and backpackers, with years of studying the natural world. And, so, A Walk in the Woods was born.
As children, we had both wanted to become naturalists, but for various reasons had gotten off of that path. We now have come full circle, and invite you to share the wonders that this beautiful park has to offer.