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.

Image

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

Julie Windsor
Nick Owen
Irene Hall
David Rothmeier
Robin Chanin
Phyllis & Tom Davis
Dillard David Ensley
Steven G. Albertson
Jane Mason
Gregory Urban
Jack Curtin
Warren Porter Morgan
David Franco
Craig Myers
Larry Creveling
Stephanie Spiller
Kristina Moe
George E Youmans Jr.
Brad Creed
Jonathan Bookspun
Jane S. Webb
Nick Chandler
James R. Kautz
George Custodi
Cristina & Erik Hernandez
Leah and Christine Abrams
Kim Mydock
Mrs. Nathan V. Hendricks III
Anne Jobe
Jane Ovenden
Don Fisher
Sylwester Ratowt
Charlie Cox
Kathy Smith
Sean Blanton
Lu Mann
Cathy Temple
Keith Sides
Noryce Burgey
William B Diehl
Robert Bobinski
Vic Greene
Michael Ciaccio
Kathy Anemogiannis
Marion McLean
Beverly R Lynn
Michael Hallen
Sheryl Gravelle-Camelo
Phillip Rogers
Ricky and Helene Siegel
Nolan Leake
Kristian Underwood
Jill Baska
Martha Dupuis
Michelle Stephens
Karen Hurtubise
Gary Monk
Bryan Suttles
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Community Foundation of Central Georgia
Sara Gottlieb
Steven Berkowitz
William McLean
Lisa Lofthouse
David Dickey
Harrison Jones
Jason Bring
Nancy Scott
Max Davis
Ann Hempen
Emma Hileman
City Lights Bookstore
George E. Patton
Joanne Roesner
Kathy Stilwell
Stephen Danner
Eric Gregory
Eric & Patricia Towers
Cheryl & Howard Beckert
Jane Trentin
Linda Holmes
John Hanlon
Doringa G. Dallmeyer
Kelley Blosser
Malcolm Duncan
Brock & Patty Hutchins
Peter Hirst
Danny and Margie Watkins
Brian Downs
Wade Harrison
Highland Hiker, Inc.
Lois Selfon
Jean Hunnicutt
Jenny Wilker
Dan Pittillo
Michael Parrish
William G Hess
Maureen Browne
Martha DeHart
Star Henderson
Nancy Kershaw
Gary Wilkinson
Larry Ray
Ralph Van Pelt
Debi Gedling
Karen Lawrence
Nicole Carr
Fritz Wettstein
Stephen Weber
Sylvia Walbolt
Marty Dominy
Kathryn Braund
Brett Riggs
Jim Chance
Dick & Gill Heywood
Pamela Shade Murphy
Jill Schukert Osborne
Stan and Mary Polanski
Jill Parker
Dale Sisson
Steve Conway
Bruce Cottrill
Robert & Julie Hotchkiss Moore
John Edward Lane
Carl Miller
Outdoor 76
Kim Leister
Karen Ziv
Bill Mandler
Garrett Davis
Hugh Irwin
James Ward
Mary-Campbell Jenkins
Carol Bartram
Jay Haney
John Rhem
Mary Coleman
Mary Jo Askew
Roy Stegall
Barry Clinton
Bonnie Van Voorst
Jackie Burke
Peter Schulz
Dean and Caroline Stephens
Drew Jorgensen
Sandra Kruger
Michael Gillen
Jon Ruehle
Mark Zemmin
Janis Fitzgerald
Thalia and Michael C. Carlos Foundation Inc.
Scott Leeth
George & Sharon Taylor
Burt Kornegay
John Thompson
Murphy Townsend & Gregor Turk
David Foulke
Natasha Sebring
Steve Dunn
Chris Tranchina
Cynthia Erbes
Margaret Clay
Virginia Talbot
Sandi Hawk
Dale Zimmerman
Robert L. Harrison
Kelly Motter
Fredericka (Freddie) Flynt
Rich M. Bowerman
Dick Adams
John Kotab
Laura Harris
Anonymous Anonymous
Ann Pagnotta
Strategic Marketing Innovations Inc
Dennis Desmond
Kay Poole
Bill Van Horn
Eddi Minche
Erin Bronk
Kim Keelor
April McNiff
Mark Robson
Alan Redmon
Andy & Laura Lindeman
George Young
Kate Deloach
Keith Blanton
Kimberly Morris
James Douglas Davis
Walter Wingfield
Rachel Appleton
Karen Wallace
James Nichols
Rose Mary Achey
Angie Templeton
Susan Cookson
Mike Killam
Hunter Kome
Jackie Hammersley
Jason Stoddard
Lee Berger
Charles Moore
Melanie Vickers
Shady Creek Expeditions
Bill Baker
Ronnie Hucks
Glen Mandigo
Jeff Cloer
Lenny Chew
R Franklin Landis
Robert E. Smith
Cory McCall
William Hollingsworth
Susan Schroeder
Lydia S. Macauley
John Woodward
Joseph Ciza
Douglas Major
Bill & Eileen Velicky
Jana Plemmons
William Brockenbrough
Katharine Brown
Marc Jolley
Marianne Skeen
Susan Harmon
Cynthiana Spangler
Grady H. Britt
Helen Meadors
Phil Belt
Richard Huckaby
Clayton Webster
Karl Van Scyoc
Frank Nicholson
Appalachian Book Service
Griffin & Glenda Bell
Caitlin Gibson
Miriam Ash-Jones
Patricia Kyritsi Howell
Tom Dillon
Sande Lolli
Susan Boteler
Edwin C. Hussey
Laura lane
C Nester
Loss Pequeño Glazier
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

Stay in Touch

Subscribe to stay up-to-speed on trail news, upcoming events, merch drops, trail conditions, and more.