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The Foothills and Bartram Trails are fabulous: full of scenic highlights, well-maintained by dedicated volunteers, and popular among thru-hikers looking for a challenging yet doable adventure. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, however, volunteers remain hard at work to re-open the entire lengths of these trails, with estimates ranging from late spring to summer 2025.
A little know fact, however, is that the Foothills Trail in South Carolina and the Bartram Trail in Georgia are connected by 4.5 miles of the scenic Chattooga River Trail. Thanks to the incredible work of the Foothills Trail Conservancy, the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, and the Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance (UGATA), there is currently an 80-mile stretch of trail open and ready to hike along the Foothills, Chattooga River, and Bartram Trails.
This route, dubbed The FAB 80, is chock-full of incredible milestones including Whitewater Falls (highest falls east of the Mississippi), the wild and scenic Chattooga River, Rabun Bald (2nd highest point in GA), and scenic Franklin, NC. Looking for a different distance?? Check out the FAB 31 or the FAB 50! As work continues to clear the Foothills and Bartram Trails, an even longer route will become available: the FAB 150 to the Appalachian Trail!
Want to help support the re-opening and on-going maintenance of the Foothills and Bartram Trails? Please become a member of the Foothills Trail Conservancy or the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy today! In the meantime, we’re confident that the FAB will offer excellent multi-day thru-hike options for folks who would otherwise have been planning a trip on the Foothills or Bartram Trails
FAB FAQs
Who came up with the FAB?
Most recently, the idea of publicizing the FAB as a post-Helene thru-hike option came from Sean “Run Bum” Blanton. An area race director (check out Run Bum Tours!), Sean is also a volunteer US Forest Service Chain Sawyer and was instrumental in clearing the Georgia section of the Bartram Trail. Sean saw the opportunity for the FAB 80 to serve as a long hike/run option while other trails are still being opened, and reached out to UGATA to make it happen! The Foothills and Bartram connection has deep roots though. This connection is also present in Matt Kirk’s Southern Appalachian Loop Trail concept (SALT), and in the past the Bartram Trail has included parts of the modern day Chattooga River and Foothills Trail. Stretching back further, much of these trails parallel or follow the historic Cherokee Path. So while the name and website may be new, when hiking the FAB you are following in a long line of footsteps!
Where can I find maps & guidebooks for the FAB?
Click here for an online, interactive map of the FAB. This will be helpful for an overview and trip planning, and will be updated as more sections of the Foothills and Bartram Trails are opened.
Before setting out on your hike, we strongly recommend purchasing official maps and guidebooks from the Foothills Trail and the Bartram Trail (with all proceeds supporting the trail! You can also click here for a printable topo map of the 4.5-mile section of the Chattooga River trail.
What distance options are there for the FAB?
Currently open options for the FAB include:
As work continues to clear the Foothills and Bartram Trails, the epic FAB 150 route will become available, connecting the Foothills Trail in South Carolina at Sassafras Mountain to the Appalachian Trail at Wayah Bald. Have a comment or suggestion about the FAB? Please let us know at mflege@ugata.org
