William's Pulpit Out-and-Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a great run whether you are looking for a quick, short distance or the ability to continue on for a long distance run. You'll pass a waterfall shortly after leaving the parking area, and if you head to William's Pulpit, there are excellent winter views.

The trail is well maintained; however, there may be sections of roots and rocks where you'll need to use caution. It is a singletrack trail formost of the distance. Also if you like this section of trail, or the Bartram Trail in general, there is a trail race in October of every year called the Naturalist 25k/50k which will leave from downtown Franklin, NC and run up through this area to Wayah Bald.

The Bartram Trail is a grand total of about 115 miles between Georgia and North Carolina created from naturalist William Bartram's southern journey during the late 1700s. This run follows a segment of the longer trail to a beautiful waterfall.

From the parking lot off Ray Cove Rd., head north on the Bartram Trail: Franklin - AT Segment. You'll pass a beautiful waterfall only a few short minutes from the parking lot. From the parking lot, the trail will ascend a steady but moderate grade alongside Wallace Branch. The trail leaves the creek after about 0.5 miles and the grade steepens slightly. The trail turns west, and you'll pass Bruce Knob on the right.

After two miles you'll reach a signed spur trail off to the left. This is William's Pulpit Spur, which you'll follow to William's Pulpit where you'll have excellent winter views of rolling hills and beautiful scenic landscapes. Though some of the views may be hidden by leaf cover in the summer, the spring brings numerous wildflowers.

From here, simply turn around and head back the way you came to finish the run. The Bartram Trail: Franklin - AT Segment continues west from William's Pulpit Spur if you're looking for a longer adventure.