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

Jonathan Bookspun
Mark Zemmin
Barry Clinton
Gary Monk
Jill Baska
City Lights Bookstore
John Rhem
Robert L. Harrison
Rich M. Bowerman
Noryce Burgey
Doringa G. Dallmeyer
Lydia S. Macauley
Bill & Eileen Velicky
Michael Gillen
Robert & Julie Hotchkiss Moore
Mark Robson
Phyllis & Tom Davis
Irene Hall
Anonymous Anonymous
Jason Stoddard
Warren Porter Morgan
Karen Ziv
John Hanlon
Anne Jobe
Carol Bartram
Beverly R Lynn
Dan Pittillo
Katharine Brown
Jill Schukert Osborne
George E Youmans Jr.
Brad Creed
Mary-Campbell Jenkins
Steven G. Albertson
Sylvia Walbolt
Marc Jolley
Peter Hirst
Gregory Urban
Patricia Kyritsi Howell
David Dickey
Kelley Blosser
Phillip Rogers
Clayton Webster
Susan Schroeder
Sande Lolli
Don Fisher
Jay Haney
Sylwester Ratowt
Michael Parrish
Hugh Irwin
Peter Schulz
Susan Boteler
Garrett Davis
David Rothmeier
John Kotab
Bill Mandler
Marianne Skeen
Jenny Wilker
Kathy Stilwell
James Douglas Davis
Kimberly Morris
Kim Leister
Erin Bronk
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Keith Blanton
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Larry Ray
Stephen Danner
Brian Downs
Highland Hiker, Inc.
Cathy Temple
Larry Creveling
Ralph Van Pelt
Gary Wilkinson
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Nick Chandler
John Thompson
Tom Dillon
Kathy Anemogiannis
Kate Deloach
Roy Stegall
Stephen Weber
James Ward
Nolan Leake
Angie Templeton
Karen Lawrence
Cynthia Erbes
Karen Wallace
Michelle Stephens
Star Henderson
Virginia Talbot
Jana Plemmons
William Hollingsworth
Wade Harrison
Sheryl Gravelle-Camelo
Debi Gedling
Glen Mandigo
Vic Greene
Jill Parker
Richard Huckaby
Harrison Jones
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Jane Ovenden
Charles Moore
Dale Zimmerman
Kim Keelor
James Nichols
Steve Dunn
Nick Owen
William G Hess
Sandra Kruger
Laura lane
Linda Holmes
Melanie Vickers
Eddi Minche
Charlie Cox
Nancy Scott
Ricky and Helene Siegel
Carl Miller
Hunter Kome
Appalachian Book Service
Kathy Smith
Brock & Patty Hutchins
Robin Chanin
Jane Trentin
Dick & Gill Heywood
Community Foundation of Central Georgia
Dale Sisson
Edwin C. Hussey
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Outdoor 76
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Chris Tranchina
Scott Leeth
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Joseph Ciza
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David Foulke
Martha DeHart
William McLean
Mary Jo Askew
Bryan Suttles
Karen Hurtubise
Cheryl & Howard Beckert
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George E. Patton
Bruce Cottrill
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Alan Redmon
Shady Creek Expeditions
Jane S. Webb
Emma Hileman
Michael Ciaccio
Jeff Cloer
Dick Adams
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Walter Wingfield
Sandi Hawk
Brett Riggs
C Nester
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Cynthiana Spangler
Michael Hallen
Sara Gottlieb
Dillard David Ensley
Malcolm Duncan
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Dean and Caroline Stephens
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James R. Kautz
Thalia and Michael C. Carlos Foundation Inc.
Fredericka (Freddie) Flynt
Robert E. Smith
Joanne Roesner
Mrs. Nathan V. Hendricks III
George Young
Maureen Browne
Janis Fitzgerald
Kristina Moe
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Phil Belt
David Franco
Craig Myers
Cristina & Erik Hernandez
Eric & Patricia Towers
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Douglas Major
Miriam Ash-Jones
Lu Mann
Kelly Motter
John Woodward
Robert Bobinski
Jackie Hammersley
Jane Mason
Cory McCall
Strategic Marketing Innovations Inc
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Fritz Wettstein
Jack Curtin
Ann Hempen
Keith Sides
Rose Mary Achey
Sean Blanton
Susan Harmon
George Custodi
Mary Coleman
Helen Meadors
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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