Bartram National Recreation Trail

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The main trail in North Carolina is marked with yellow blazes, blue blazes for the side trails. These two hikes offer glimpses of what can be experienced along the Bartram Trail in the Nantahala National Forest.

Scaly Mountain
The Scaly Mountain trail is a short segment of the Bartram Trail Section 1. The trailhead is across the highway from the Osage overlook, and begins at a set of steps. For the first 0.8 mile the trail climbs up to an old logging road. Turn right and follow this rocky road 0.6 mile to the short spur trail on the left, which goes to the top of Scaly (4,804 feet). On top of Scaly there are three overlooks with views of the Tessentee Valley and surrounding mountains. The trail ends at the third overlook.

Length: 2 miles one way
Elevation Change: 1,000 feet
Rating: Most difficult
Head: Osage Overlook
End: Scaly Mountain
USGS Map: Scaly

Overflow Creek Loop
The Bartram-Overflow loop combines a 1.2-mile section of the Bartram Trail and two spur trails, Hurrah Ridge (0.6 miles) and West Fork (0.9 miles). This trail starts from the Osage Overlook by going down to a ridge line where the trail intersects with the West Fork and Hurrah Ridge trails. Go 0.4 mile past the West Fork trail and turn left into the Hurrah Ridge trail, which was a road used by old residents of Blue Valley to drive livestock up for grazing on the "Flats." This is a steep trail that goes down to Overflow Creek. Cross the creek, go past the Forest Service gate, and look for the West Fork Trail on the left. The trail goes up along the West Fork Creek and is rocky and wet in some places. At the intersection with the Bartram Trail, turn right and return to the Osage Overlook on the original trail. On the return, some hikers may want to try an alternative route that is marked with a double blaze. This trail is narrow and has not been maintained to the standards of the main trail.

Length: 3.5-mile loop
Elevation Change: 800 feet
Rating: More difficult
Head: Osage Overlook
End: Osage Overlook
USGS Map: Scaly

Access: From US 64 and NC 106 in Highlands drive west 5.7 miles to the Osage Overlook. From the Scaly Mountain community take NC 106 east for 1.5 miles to the Osage Overlook.

And there's plenty more terrific day hikes along the trail. For instance, the section over the Fishhawks in the Highlands District of the Nantahala National Forest offers stunning views of valleys and rock outcrops on top of the mountains. For more information on the trail in North Carolina, contact:

North Carolina Bartram Trail Society
P.O. Box 144
Scaly Mt., NC 28775