The North Carolina Bartram Trail is a hiking trail to commemorate the 1775 visit of Philadelphia naturalist William Bartram to Western North Carolina. Begun in the 1970s, the trail parallels Bartram's actual route into Cherokee country. It begins at the Georgia state line and crosses the summit of Scaly Mountain and the Fishhawk Mountains before descending into the Tessentee Valley.
From Franklin, it rises to the summit of Wayah Bald, its highest point, and drops to the Nantahala Gorge and then ascends to its terminus at Cheoah Bald.
The trail joins the Appalachian Trail at two points — Wayah Bald and Cheoah Bald. The North Carolina Bartram Trail provides a less-traveled alternative to the Appalachian Trail in Western North Carolina through some of the most spectacular natural habitat in the area.
William Bartram passed very near here on his visit to the "Middle towns" of the Cherokee nation, the principal town being Cowee, north of Franklin. Bartram describes his trip vividly in his well-known book, Travels, which contains the most complete existing description of the life of the Cherokee in the eighteenth century. The book was widely and eagerly read in Europe.
The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition
of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft, agriculture, and Cherokee culture. This location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites. Ask for information at area visitor centers.
More information online at: www.blueridgeheritage.com
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