The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail

Welcome to the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail, the 112 mile footpath that celebrates nature, art, and cultural history. Join us on the journey to protect this corridor for all to enjoy.

One Trail. Many Ways to Wander.

The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail spans 112 miles of breathtaking landscapes, connecting nature lovers to The Appalachian Trail. Experience stunning vistas, diverse wildlife, and a rich tapestry of flora along this remarkable journey.

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Events

The History of Bartram Trail

The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy was founded in 1977 by eleven North Carolinians to preserve the legacy of botanist William Bartram. Key figures like Walter G. McKelvey, Charles Moore, and Dr. J. Dan Pittillo helped establish the trail, working alongside the U.S. Forest Service to mark and build the trail in the Nantahala National Forest. Today, the Conservancy has over 200 members and continues its mission to honor Bartram’s spirit and protect the natural world for future generations.

Make a Difference

Become a vital part of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy. Your support through donations or participation in events helps preserve this beautiful trail for future generations.

Common FAQs

Nope!

Less experienced hikers might benefit from hiking more popular sections, where access is easier and where they might feel more comfortable knowing that there are other hikers close by to answer questions about logistics, trail conditions, and so on. Most of the major access points for the trail in North Carolina have informational kiosks.
Popular Sections/Trailheads include: Warwoman Dell, Wallace Branch, Little Tennessee River Greenway, Wayah Bald, & Appletree Campground

Whether planning a day hike on the Bartram Trail or an extended trip, consider your abilities for elevation gain and the associated distances, as these are two major factors in enjoying your hike. Many of the Bartram sections are also easier to travel north to south, as there is a general loss of elevation as one proceeds south, particularly in Georgia. Regardless, if you are not an experienced hiker, start with hikes under five miles, and check our website for information on trail conditions.

 

Short Answer: the best time to hike is anytime you can get away on the trail & anytime there is a weather forecast that doesn’t have dangerous conditions as a possibility.

Long Answer: Spring and Fall are the two seasons most pleasant for hiking, as well as the two seasons when wildflowers are the most spectacular. Depending on the section you’re hiking, hikers must prepare for stream crossings, steep elevation gains and losses, uneven and rocky terrain, lack of water, rapidly changing weather conditions, or all of the above. Temperatures are cooler at the higher elevations, and summer rains can leave a hiker chilled to the point of hypothermia if caught unprepared. Winter can include crisp, bright, warm days followed by subfreezing temperatures, snow, and/or ice. The Bartram Trail passes through a high rainfall area, with over 100 inches of rain in a year not uncommon. Choose a time and difficulty that will best suit what you are looking to gain/experience with your BT hike!

Practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace:

  1. Plan Ahead & Prepare: Includes reaching your destination, checking regulations, preparing for potential hazards, & packing appropriately.
  2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: Choose established trails and campsites, or areas that are already impacted, to avoid disturbing vegetation and fragile ecosystems.
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out everything you pack in, including food scraps, toilet paper, and other trash. Human waste should be disposed of properly, away from water sources and campsites.
  4. Leave What You Find: Do not remove natural objects like rocks, plants, or artifacts. Leave the environment as you found it for others to enjoy.
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use existing fire rings or fire pans, keep fires small, and ensure fires are completely extinguished before leaving.
  6. Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance, avoid disturbing their habitat, and do not feed animals.
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Respect other people's outdoor experiences by being mindful of noise levels, keeping a safe distance, and being courteous on trails.

Learn More

HERE is a blog post that goes more in depth on having a safe trail experience. In short:

  • Always follow the yellow blazes!
  • Make sure you bring plenty of water and food for your journey.
  • Have someone at home know where you are and how long you plan on being there.
  • Purify your drinking water.
  • Be aware of hunting season (typically from early autumn through February).
  • Be prepared for wading stream sections and how rain can cause streams to swell quickly.
  • Check Forest Service Websites for road closures.
  • Bring enough supplies to last through an emergency.
  • Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!

Yes, but it is advised to keep your pets leashed and under control. Bear, deer, coyotes, and many other animals share the forest that the Bartram trail passes through. A dog you think might be under your control but unleashed could take off after anything, and you might spend a long time trying to find it – and it could have had a bad encounter resulting in injuries or death. Also, it is respectable to other hikers who may not appreciate dogs, as well as other dog owners who keep their dogs leashed.

What you bring on a hike can differ greatly based on distance, topography, weather, and what your interests are for the experience. Check the weather! Some basic items for a short hike (2-4 miles) are a daypack with water, snacks, rain gear (even if there’s a slight chance), and a basic first aid kit. For a longer hike, be prepared for a change in weather (raingear, extra layer, extra socks).

Still have questions?

We're here to help!

We Can't Do It Without

Our Donors

Carol Bartram
Richard Huckaby
Sylvia Walbolt
Tom Dillon
Sara Gottlieb
Michael Parrish
Susan Harmon
Jane Ovenden
Katharine Brown
Bonnie Van Voorst
Highland Hiker, Inc.
Nicole Carr
Lenny Chew
William G Hess
Melanie Vickers
Community Foundation of Central Georgia
Appalachian Book Service
Chris Tranchina
Margaret Clay
Karen Lawrence
Beverly R Lynn
Frank Nicholson
Outdoor 76
Virginia Talbot
Lois Selfon
John Edward Lane
Sandra Kruger
Jean Hunnicutt
Robert E. Smith
Wade Harrison
James Ward
Marion McLean
Danny and Margie Watkins
Jay Haney
Kathy Anemogiannis
Stephanie Spiller
Miriam Ash-Jones
George & Sharon Taylor
Jenny Wilker
Grady H. Britt
Dennis Desmond
Jackie Burke
Malcolm Duncan
Roy Stegall
Mary Coleman
Brad Creed
John Thompson
Janis Fitzgerald
Nancy Scott
Peter Schulz
Dale Zimmerman
Edwin C. Hussey
Nancy Kershaw
John Kotab
David Foulke
Robin Chanin
Dick & Gill Heywood
Jill Baska
Cheryl & Howard Beckert
Jane S. Webb
Jane Mason
Steve Dunn
Rachel Appleton
Susan Boteler
Dillard David Ensley
Stan and Mary Polanski
George Young
William Hollingsworth
Kim Mydock
Leah and Christine Abrams
Keith Sides
George E. Patton
Fritz Wettstein
Mark Robson
Phyllis & Tom Davis
Robert & Julie Hotchkiss Moore
Linda Holmes
Natasha Sebring
John Woodward
Cristina & Erik Hernandez
Peter Hirst
Jason Bring
Marty Dominy
Warren Porter Morgan
Drew Jorgensen
Hunter Kome
Scott Leeth
Hugh Irwin
Kathy Stilwell
Charles Moore
Cathy Temple
Mike Killam
Alan Redmon
Douglas Major
Kate Deloach
Bill & Eileen Velicky
Lee Berger
Doringa G. Dallmeyer
Dean and Caroline Stephens
Julie Windsor
Bryan Suttles
Marianne Skeen
Jill Schukert Osborne
David Dickey
Rich M. Bowerman
Kelly Motter
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Anne Jobe
Michael Hallen
Michael Gillen
Ann Hempen
Cynthiana Spangler
Dan Pittillo
Emma Hileman
David Franco
Griffin & Glenda Bell
Shady Creek Expeditions
Eric & Patricia Towers
Larry Ray
Jack Curtin
Laura Harris
Mary-Campbell Jenkins
Bill Mandler
Eddi Minche
Robert L. Harrison
James R. Kautz
Ann Pagnotta
Sande Lolli
Jana Plemmons
Kathryn Braund
Craig Myers
Fredericka (Freddie) Flynt
Rose Mary Achey
Star Henderson
Kim Keelor
Eric Gregory
Michael Ciaccio
John Rhem
Caitlin Gibson
Karl Van Scyoc
Karen Ziv
Susan Schroeder
Angie Templeton
Kelley Blosser
Jon Ruehle
Mrs. Nathan V. Hendricks III
Larry Creveling
Brett Riggs
Robert Bobinski
Pamela Shade Murphy
James Douglas Davis
Jonathan Bookspun
Ronnie Hucks
Andy & Laura Lindeman
Max Davis
William Brockenbrough
Murphy Townsend & Gregor Turk
Carl Miller
William McLean
Burt Kornegay
Martha DeHart
Vic Greene
Anonymous Anonymous
Loss Pequeño Glazier
Kathy Smith
Kristina Moe
Kay Poole
Karen Hurtubise
Nick Chandler
City Lights Bookstore
Nolan Leake
Jason Stoddard
Lydia S. Macauley
Sylwester Ratowt
Michelle Stephens
Joanne Roesner
Charlie Cox
Kim Leister
Bill Van Horn
Jim Chance
Lu Mann
Jane Trentin
Gary Wilkinson
Harrison Jones
Don Fisher
Phil Belt
Patricia Kyritsi Howell
Erin Bronk
Thalia and Michael C. Carlos Foundation Inc.
Mark Zemmin
Maureen Browne
George Custodi
Strategic Marketing Innovations Inc
David Rothmeier
Steve Conway
Martha Dupuis
Clayton Webster
Phillip Rogers
Debi Gedling
Garrett Davis
Karen Wallace
Barry Clinton
Stephen Danner
Steven Berkowitz
Irene Hall
Joseph Ciza
Sean Blanton
Marc Jolley
George E Youmans Jr.
Brian Downs
Susan Cookson
Mary Jo Askew
Dale Sisson
Bruce Cottrill
Keith Blanton
Laura lane
Brock & Patty Hutchins
William B Diehl
John Hanlon
Lisa Lofthouse
R Franklin Landis
Gary Monk
Noryce Burgey
Stephen Weber
Bill Baker
Kimberly Morris
Jackie Hammersley
Cynthia Erbes
Helen Meadors
C Nester
Jill Parker
Nick Owen
Jeff Cloer
Dick Adams
Sheryl Gravelle-Camelo
Walter Wingfield
Gregory Urban
Ricky and Helene Siegel
Glen Mandigo
Sandi Hawk
James Nichols
Ralph Van Pelt
Cory McCall
Kristian Underwood
Steven G. Albertson
April McNiff
We couldn’t do it without you

Thank You to Our Partners

Appalachian Animal Rescue Center
Cowee School Arts & Heritage
Foxfire
Friends of the Greenway
Kinship Photography Collective
Lazy Hiker Brewing
Outdoor 76
Southeast Conservation Corps
The Bascom Gallery
Town of Franklin
United States Forest Service

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