Trailhead information
Russell Bridge (Southern Terminus)
Primary- No restrooms
- No water
Walk-UpThru-Hike
Bartram Trail Thru-Hike Permit
Walk about 110 miles from the Chattooga River on the Georgia-South Carolina line to Cheoah Bald in North Carolina, retracing naturalist William Bartram's 1770s route through the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests.
“Walk 110 miles through the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests, retracing naturalist William Bartram's 1770s route.”
Plan your Chattahoochee-Oconee & Nantahala National Forests trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Bartram Trail
No permit is needed anywhere on the Bartram Trail. It is free, dispersed camping under standard national forest rules the whole 110 miles through the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests.
More about Chattahoochee-Oconee & Nantahala National ForestsPlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Bartram Trail permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 110mi
Bartram Trail elevation profile
Russell Bridge (Southern Terminus) to Cheoah Bald (Northern Terminus)Trailhead
Russell Bridge (Southern Terminus)
Southern terminus on the West Fork of the Chattooga River, along Highway 28 about two miles south of Warwoman Road; a metal suspension bridge crosses the river near a granite trailhead marker.
Mile 0 of 110
0 Russell Bridge (Southern Terminus)110 Cheoah Bald (Northern Terminus)
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- ≈1,593 ft
Bartram Trail landmarks
Bartram Trail campgrounds
How to get a Bartram Trail permit
As of September 2026, the managing agency does not require a permit for Bartram Trail in Chattahoochee-Oconee & Nantahala National Forests, Georgia. Bartram Trail rates 3/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Bartram Trail route covers 110 miles, rated strenuous.
- Permit required
- No
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Southern Blue Ridge / Nantahala Mountains, GA
How this permit is issued
More on Bartram Trail: Live availability activityBartram Trail Thru-Hike permit itinerary
How much a Bartram Trail permit costs
Bartram Trail permit fee: Free (no permit; dispersed camping under standard national forest rules).
The Bartram Trail hike
- Distance
- 110 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 8-12 days for a thru-hike; most people section-hike it over multiple trips
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- High Point
- 5,342 ft
Walk 110 miles through the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests, retracing naturalist William Bartram's 1770s route.
About this permit
Walk about 110 miles from the Chattooga River on the Georgia-South Carolina line to Cheoah Bald in North Carolina, retracing naturalist William Bartram's 1770s route through the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests.
The route
From Russell Bridge (Southern Terminus), the route passes Wilson Gap, Rabun Bald, Bartram Trail map kiosk (Rabun County, GA), Jones Gap, Trail viewpoint (Fishhawk Range spine), before finishing at Cheoah Bald (Northern Terminus).
Why it matters
The trail retraces the route naturalist William Bartram traveled through the southern Appalachians in the 1770s.
How hard the Bartram Trail hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
Trailhead information
Jones Gap
- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
Hickory Knoll Road
- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
Wallace Branch Trailhead
- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
Winding Stairs Parking Area
- No restrooms
- No water
When to hike Bartram Trail
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
☀️
79°
55°
Mon
☁️
80°
56°
Tue
☁️
80°
56°
Wed
☀️
83°
60°
Thu
⛅
83°
62°
Fri
🌧️
81°
64°
Sat
🌫️
80°
63°
49%
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Bartram Trail rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01No permit is needed anywhere on the Bartram Trail. It is free, dispersed camping under standard national forest rules the whole 110 miles through the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Bartram Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Bartram Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Bartram Trail FAQ
Do you need a permit for the Bartram Trail?
No. Neither the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia nor the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina requires a permit to hike or camp along the Bartram Trail. It's all dispersed, self-directed backcountry camping under standard national forest rules -- no reservation, no lottery, no fee.
How long is the Bartram Trail thru-hike?
About 110 miles: roughly 37 miles in Georgia (Russell Bridge to the North Carolina line) and 70-plus miles in North Carolina (the state line to Cheoah Bald), where it meets the Appalachian Trail.
Does the Bartram Trail enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
No. Every official description of the Bartram Trail places it entirely on national forest land -- Chattahoochee-Oconee in Georgia and the Nantahala and Cheoah Ranger Districts of the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. It ends at Cheoah Bald, well south of the national park boundary, where it joins the Appalachian Trail.
How many days does it take to thru-hike the Bartram Trail?
Most people who go end-to-end plan on roughly 8 to 12 days, but far more hikers section-hike the Bartram Trail over several trips than complete it in one push.
Which direction should you hike the Bartram Trail?
The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy recommends north to south, since the trail loses elevation overall heading that way, especially through the Georgia section.
Is there a Bartram Trail organization that maintains the trail?
Yes, the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, formed in 2020 when the Georgia and North Carolina trail groups (both dating to 1977) joined under one nonprofit. They maintain the route, publish section descriptions, and log trail conditions.
Where can you resupply on the Bartram Trail?
Franklin, NC is the only town the trail itself passes through, via a road-walk and greenway in Section 7. Clayton, GA and the Highlands/Scaly Mountain, NC area are reachable by short side trips near the Georgia-North Carolina state line.
What is the highest point on the Bartram Trail?
Wayah Bald in North Carolina, at 5,342 feet, where the Bartram Trail and the Appalachian Trail cross at a historic 1937 stone fire tower.
Is the Bartram Trail the same as the Bartram National Recreation Trail near Augusta, Georgia?
No, and this trips people up. Recreation.gov's own search for 'Bartram Trail' returns a short lakeside trail at Petersburg Campground on Thurmond Lake near Augusta -- a completely different, unrelated trail. The one covered here is the roughly 110-mile mountain trail from Rabun County, Georgia to Cheoah Bald, North Carolina.
Bartram Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Bartram Trail permit
Where to stay near Bartram Trail
- West Fork Campground (Clayton, Ga)Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Willis Knob Horse CampChattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Cherry Hill CampgroundFrancis Marion and Sumter National Forests
- All Georgia campgrounds
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