I used to go hiking in Cherokee by myself. I always carried a pistol with me. I've run into some pretty strange people up there and the place is filled up with dope growers.
It can be very dangerous if you're alone. My problem was mostly with drunks since we always rode on weekends. We still have moonshiners too. They aren't that bad if "you're from here" but they still get jumpy about people walking through the setup. The mountain people up there are very nice but reclusive and don't care for outsiders. There are still people that live on the fringe of the National Forest in very remote places but you don't see them unless you go into parts that most tourists would never consider visiting.