Bartram National Recreational Trail is a 14.3 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Notasulga, Alabama that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Two part adventure- Started the hike at the trailhead on 53 and hiked up to National Forest Road 900 and used the Pleasant Hill Trail to loop back to where we started. There was one section with a boardwalk/bridge that had tape across it with rotting boards that we crossed at our own risk. Lots of ticks!! Wet in some areas. About 9.3miles loop. The next week we took two vehicles so we wouldn’t have to back track starting at the trail crossing over 186 at National Forest Rd 900. About 4.7 miles to the opposite trailhead on Hwy 29. Overall Trail marked well, easy to follow, not closed in any directions :)
walking in the woods.birds singing but road noise and logging. did a bit and turned back.not compelling. well marked and clear.
Set out to hike 5 out and 5 back. The 1.5 miles out and return was somewhat unnerving due to someone target shooting, I guess, firing in what sounded like indiscriminate directions. Single shots at times followed by multiple rounds fired. As I walked it sounded like I was drawing closer. He or they were likely in the FS road close to the trail near the 1.5 point oil the trail. I was wearing an orange shirt and hat but not sure it mattered. Otherwise, this looks like a fun trail for hiking and training. I’ll return another day.
Overall a fun run...on the far side the trail was poorly marked and I lost it several times.
The trail is marked, but isn't marked very well; it's very easy to get off of it. It doesn't seem to be traveled much and is a bit over grown. There also isn't a whole lot to see, it's basically like walking through the woods in your backyard. We didn't go the whole way, but the best part was it is a pretty easy walk. I believe it is rated as moderate because of the total length of the trail. Definitely won't be going back.
don't do this trail in shorts! super overgrown with thistle this time of year
Trail is pretty visible. Has several stream crossings with bridges. Has some trees down across the trail
I parked right off SR186, and hiked the north end. The trail is narrow, and needs to be maintenance some. There a couple of places that need to be "blazed' better. There are lots and lots of wooden bridges, so be careful of loose boards and nails. It is beautiful trail to hike. Very easy hike! If you get hurt or want to leave the trial, roads are very close by to exit. This is good for the entire family - say about age 5 and up.
We hiked just the northern portion of the trail from 186 to the northern trailhead at Little Texas, which was a little over 8 miles out and back. There is plenty of parking on the south side of 186 near the trailhead for the mountain bike trail, as well as at the ranger station. The blazes and markers were not that frequent, as noted by other reviewers, but it was fairly easy to follow the trail. The elevation changes were not too dramatic, and there were few vistas. Road noise is also noticeable for a lot of trail. But we liked seeing the dogwood in bloom, and it was also handy to have LTE cell service (AT&T) on virtually the entire route. This portion of the trail may also be used for mountain biking, but I think it would be extremely challenging because there are quite a few downed trees that cross the path as well as some areas with overhanging branches.
Started at north end and walked the entire length. The first few miles are within earshot of a major road and there is more of this intermittently throughout the trail. The diamond white blazes are not particularly frequent along the trail. It's enough to remind you now and then that you're still on the trail. This isn't a problem for most of the way as the trail is well trod and not difficult to find, except for a swampy portion a few miles from the south end where some trees are down, there is a lot of water, and it looks like some work is being done on the trail or surroundings. Another issue is a higher than average amount of trash at the northern trailhead and a few other spots along the trail. Otherwise most of the trail seems pleasant enough, albeit not terribly exciting. Overall not a bad trail, though could be better with maintenance, and even if in perfect shape it's the sort of trail to check out if you're spending time in the area anyway, not the kind of trail to go out of your way to hike.
I ride this for a change from chewacla occasionally... Much less maintenance is done here, much better once plants have died back (later in winter), however still sandy, and still some more technical climbs/drops. Best to start on west side of trail and ride east first unless you want to climb out at the end. Much less switchbacks than at chewacla ... Wear bright colors during hunting season!
Nice, long trail from beginning to end. Scenic views are few and far between, but there are a couple. Out and back trail, but not a very fulfilling trip. You end up in a dirt parking lot after almost nine miles then turn around and go back. Overall, fairly well maintained. No complaints there, it's an outdoor trail.. Could use a water station or something, it's tough to go 18 miles on what you can carry in water. Overall pleased.