About Bartram Trail - Various Sections
The Bartram Trail follows the route of naturalist William Bartram's 18th-century travels through the southern Appalachians, from Cheoah Bald in North Carolina south through Georgia. Together the trail covers more than 100 miles. In North Carolina it passes through the Nantahala National Forest, including over Wayah Bald near Franklin, and it is outside the national park.
The hike
Most hikers choose a section: the Wayah Bald segment is popular, and other pieces offer waterfalls and ridge views. The Bartram Trail Society has maps and descriptions of the sections.
When to go
Spring and fall are best.
Getting there
Use the trail society's maps to find trailheads. A national park parking tag is not needed in the national forest.
Know before you go
Carry a map and water; sections can be remote.
Visiting the national park too?
If you are also spending time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these hikes are good companions:
- Grotto Falls: a 2.6-mile round trip to a waterfall you can walk behind
- Oconaluftee River Trail: an easy riverside walk near Cherokee
- Big Creek Trail: a quiet walk to Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls
Planning and safety
Allow about two miles per hour on rolling mountain trail, then add time for photos, snacks and rest. Start by mid-morning at the latest so you finish with daylight, and decide on a turnaround time before you leave the car.
Land outside the national park is managed separately, so check the land manager's page for closures, fees and seasonal road access before you drive. Carry a map, since cell service is limited, and bring water, rain gear and a charged phone.
