Currently, there is no single map that covers the entire length of the Bartram Trail (BT), i.e., North Carolina and Georgia. A map is being developed by the NCBTS that will cover the entire trail and contain information panels that will describe the primary features of the trail, as well as driving directions to trailheads, etc. The entire length of the trail is being re-walked with high-precision GPS equipment and a distance measuring device (a “wheel”) to achieve the greatest accuracy of the path location, elevation profiles, distances to important features, etc. The current estimated time for the availability of this new map is late 2008 or early 2009. Check this website for updates on the new map status!The Bartram Trail is constructed for foot traffic only.
Use of off-road vehicles, ATVs, bicycles, horses, pack animals, etc., is prohibited on the trail. The pathway, water/erosion control systems, steps and cleared area to each side of the pathway are not appropriate for anything but foot traffic. Use of wheeled vehicles, whether human-powered or fossil-fuel powered, is particularly damaging to the pathway.The NC part of the Bartram Trail has been divided into seven sections (see below) for mapping purposes. Detailed maps produced by the NCBTS are available for each Section and may be purchased from our Society for $2.50 each or seven for $15.00, including handling and postage. To order these maps or any other NCBTS memorabilia, please visit our online store here or print and send us our order form. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have about our sales items. Please note that these maps are not intended to be a “Guide”. See information below for Guides.These maps may also be purchased at the U.S. Forest Service Nantahala Ranger Distric (now a single district that was formerly the Highlands and Wayah Ranger Districts) which is located at 90 Sloan Road Franklin, NC 28734; phone: 828-524-6641. Usual business hours: M-F, 8-4:30.
Driving directions: USFS Nantahala Ranger Station in Franklin, NC:From the US441/US64 junction south of Franklin, drive west on US64 for 1.0 mile and turn right onto Sloan Rd. (SR1153). In 0.2 miles you will see the Nantahala Ranger Station on the right. Street address: 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734; 828-524-6441. Click here for a google map.
The NCBTS maps are also available at the Cheoah Ranger District office at 1133 Massey Branch Rd., Robbinsville, NC 28771; phone: 828-479-6431.
Driving directions: USFS Cheoah Ranger Station in Robbinsville, NC:From Asheville, NC area: From 1-40, merge onto Great Smoky Mountains Expy/US-19 S/US-23 S/US-74 W at EXIT 27 and continue to follow US-74 W for 47.3 mi, turn right at NC-28, 11.4 mi, turn left at NC-143/Sweetwater Rd at 8.8 mi, turn right at Rodney Orr Bypass, 0.5 mi, continue on NC-143/Tapoco Rd/US-129; 1.0 mi, slight left at Cherohala Skyway/Massey Branch Rd/NC-143. Click here for a google map.
Currently there is one commercially produced map that covers the NC portion of the Bartram Trail. It does not cover the Georgia portion of the trail. This map is the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Nantahala and Cullasaja Gorges topographic map. It is the most comprehensive and complete recreational map for the Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges area of North Carolina and includes the Bartram Trail, as well as other major trails in the area covered by the map. The map shows all trails, campsites, and recreational features, plus valuable wilderness and Leave No Trace guidelines.The NG TI Nantahala and Cullasaja Gorges map includes Nantahala National Forest – Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges area. Towns: Franklin, Sylva, Highlands, Cashiers. Wilderness Areas: Ellicott Rock, Middle Prong. Scenic Drives: Blue Ridge Parkway. Other Highlights: Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. It is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant material with a plastic coating that offers supreme durability for your next outdoor adventure. To order these maps or any other NCBTS memorabilia, please visit our online store here or print and send us our order form. Several other information centers and outfitting stores in the area also sell all or some the maps mentioned above. Some of these are:
- The Forest Service Information Office at 464 Main Street, Highlands, NC 828-526-346
- Highland Hiker at 601 Main Street, Highlands, NC 828-526-5298, ;
- The Nantahala Outdoor Center at 13077 Highway 19W, Bryson City, NC 28713, 828-488-2175
- Smoky Mountain Host at US 441 south of Franklin, NC 800-432-4678
- Three Eagles Outfitters at 78 Siler Road, Franklin, NC (828) 524-9061.
Map SectionsThe seven sections are listed below with the trail mileage (one-way).
- Section 1: This section is 12.5 miles long, traveling from/to Hale Ridge Road to/from Hickory Gap Highlands NC.
- Section 2: This section is 9.8 miles long, traveling from/to Hickory Gap to/from Buckeye Creek.
- Section 3*: This section is 14 miles long, traveling from/to Buckeye Creek to Wallace Branch.
- Section 4: This section is 11.5 miles long, traveling from/to Wallace Branch to/from Wayah Bald.
- Section 5: This section is 7.4 miles long traveling from/to Wayah Bald to/from Nantahala Lake.
- Section 6: This section is 16.5 miles long, traveling from/to Nantahala Lake to/from Nantahala Gorge.
- Section 7: This section is 6.6 miles long, traveling from/to Nantahala Gorge to/from Cheoah Bald.
*Note: Section 3 is a 14-mile road-walk or bike ride, with option of a 9-mile canoe section on the Little Tennessee River.Currently, “Guides” are available that separately cover the Georgia and NC portions of the BT. These guides are available at our store as well as the Ranger District Offices and some of the area outfitting stores (see directions and addresses to these listed above). These NC and Georgia Bartram Trail Guides are written by long-time trail builders and maintainers, John Ray and Malcolm Skove. These 8×11 spiral bound guides include both mile-by-mile descriptive narrative as well as black and white maps that feature the trail route with contour lines from USGS topo maps. These guides are generally considered to be the best source of detailed, mile-by-mile information for the Bartram Trail. To order these maps or any other NCBTS memorabilia, please visit our online store here or print and send us our order form.
PLEASE NOTE: The NC Bartram Trail Society strongly recommends obtaining the trail maps and associated Guides. The BT crosses complicated terrain. Although the trail is marked with yellow vertically-oriented rectangles (blazes) in North Carolina and yellow diamonds in Georgia, it is important to know where you are on the trail and where you are going. You need to know the location of possible ingress and egress paths/roads, especially in case of emergency. Maps and guide books can be obtained by clicking here.
HIKERS: Please help preserve the beauty of the Bartram Trail. Observe the principles of Leave No Trace and carry out all trash and leave no trace of your presence.
TELL US ABOUT THE TRAIL: The Bartram Trail Society will appreciate any suggestions you have for trail improvements. Please send these suggestions through our contact form. If you are hiking the Bartram Trail and encounter any conditions that need to be corrected (e.g., eroded pathway, tree blow-downs across the path, landslides, etc) please send a report on that condition via our contact form. That information will be passed onto the Trail Maintenance Team so that corrective action can be initiated.