Asheville, NC: Bartram Trail (Nantahala Gorge to Wayah Bald)
Climb past a glimmering highland lake to a lofty southern bald.
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Follow in the footsteps of legendary 18th-century explorer William Bartram—linking tranquil hollows and skirting a wild river—on this challenging 21.1-mile, two-night shuttle hike. The yellow-blazed Bartram Trail honors the man who spent four years documenting the Southeast’s wilderness.
From the Beechertown trailhead, climb .2 mile of switchbacks, then joina forest road to start a 2.9-mile, 1,500-foot climb. Passing views of cloud-trapping gorges, the trail narrows through tunnels of rhododendron and mountain laurel (blooming late spring) before you traverse the eastern flank of 4,052-foot Rattlesnake Knob. Soon, Pierce Creek’s burble signals the first night’s camp at mile 4.3, where dense second-growth provides tethers for a load-lightening tarp.
Next morning, hike 2.5 miles through rolling forest before turning south to wind along the Nantahala River on 4.7 flat miles with access to swimming and fishing. A six-inch- deep ford across concrete at the base of a 250-foot rockfill dam signals the start of a 400-foot climb past a spillway-fueled waterfall. From here, a 1.5-mile wooded traverse yields the trip’s first glimpses of 1,065-acre Nantahala Lake. At mile 14, the trail follows Wayah Road .6 mile along the lake’s shoreline to the inlet of Winespring Creek—the last reliable water before camp. Turn left to re-enter the rhododendrons and start the 2,300-foot climb over 5.2 miles of McDonald Ridge. At the flat, viewless summit of 5,440-foot Winespring Bald, the Bartram Trail merges with the AT. A spring just beyond makes this a welcome, primitive high-country camp.
Next day, skirt the northern slopes of Wayah Bald for 1.3 miles, with intermittent views toward the dark ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From 5,342-foot Wayah’s stone summit tower, take in views of undulating, hazy blue ridges and peaks. To finish, backtrack 150 yards to the parking area.
-Text and mapping by Peter Rives
Trail Facts
- Distance: 34.0
Waypoints
BAR001
Location: 35.272112, -83.678957
From the Beechertown trailhead, climb .2 mile of switchbacks, then join a forest road to start a 2.9-mile, 1,500-foot climb.
BAR002
Location: 35.267168, -83.679167
Surge Tower. Passing views of cloud-trapping gorges, the trail narrows through tunnels of rhododendron and mountain laurel (blooming late spring).
BAR003
Location: 35.262965, -83.678051
Spring
BAR004
Location: 35.255469, -83.677112
Traverse the eastern flank of 4,052-foot Rattlesnake Knob.
BAR005
Location: 35.24674, -83.680506
Trail Intersection. Keep left.
BAR006
Location: 35.24611, -83.674365
Trail Intersection. Keep left.
BAR007
Location: 35.24604, -83.673033
Pierce Creek’s burble signals the first night’s camp at mile 4.3, where dense second-growth provides tethers for a load-lightening tarp.
BAR008
Location: 35.241169, -83.644515
Turn south to wind along the Nantahala River on 4.7 flat miles with access to swimming and fishing.
BAR009
Location: 35.225363, -83.655437
Appletree campground.
BAR010
Location: 35.222206, -83.66042
Road intersection. Turn Left onto road and follow for 50 yards.
BAR011
Location: 35.221571, -83.661015
Turn left into driveway, continuing to follow blazes to rejoin foot trail.
BAR012
Location: 35.213788, -83.652611
Piped spring.
BAR013
Location: 35.20236, -83.657455
A six-inch-deep ford across concrete at the base of a 250-foot rockfill dam signals the start of a 400-foot climb past a spillway-fueled waterfall.
BAR014
Location: 35.202882, -83.6542
Views of 50′ spillway waterfall. From here, a 1.5-mile wooded traverse yields the trip’s first glimpses of 1,065-acre Nantahala Lake.
BAR015
Location: 35.197585, -83.63716
Right onto Wayah Rd. At mile 14, the trail follows Wayah Road .6 mile along the lake’s shoreline
BAR016
Location: 35.191911, -83.639008
Reach the inlet of Winespring Creek—the last reliable water before camp. Turn left to re-enter the rhododendrons and start the 2,300-foot climb over 5.2 miles of McDonald Ridge.
BAR017
Location: 35.175628, -83.581493
At the flat, viewless summit of 5,440-foot Winespring Bald, the Bartram Trail merges with the AT. A spring just beyond makes this a welcome, primitive high-country camp.
BAR018
Location: 35.175, -83.580935
Primitive Camping with spring. Next day, skirt the northern slopes of Wayah Bald for 1.3 miles, with intermittent views toward the dark ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
BAR019
Location: 35.180227, -83.560635
From 5,342-foot Wayah’s stone summit tower, take in views of undulating, hazy blue ridges and peaks. To finish, backtrack 150 yards to the parking area.
BAR020
Location: 35.1791, -83.562741
Wayah Bald parking area