Wayah Bald: A Panoramic Mountaintop Escape
Discover panoramic views from a historic fire tower at Wayah Bald, where the Appalachian and Bartram Trails meet in the Nantahala National Forest.
Wayah Bald, meaning "wolf" in Cherokee, is a 5,342-foot mountain in the Nantahala National Forest, near Franklin, North Carolina [2, 5]. The name originates from the red wolves that once roamed the area [2, 5]. Archaeological evidence suggests that indigenous people used Wayah Bald as hunting grounds as far back as 11,000 years ago [5, 11]. The mountain's summit is a treeless "bald," a high-altitude open area, which offers visitors exceptional 360-degree views [4, 12]. From the summit, one can see the Great Smoky Mountains to the north and the rolling hills of Georgia to the south [2, 6, 11]. The Appalachian and Bartram Trails intersect at Wayah Bald, making it a popular destination for hikers [2, 5, 6]. The historic Wayah Bald Fire Tower, constructed in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, stands as a testament to early forest fire detection efforts [2, 5, 6]. The stone tower, originally 53 feet tall, served as a fire lookout until 1945 [2, 10, 14]. It was equipped with living quarters for watchmen, who would stay for up to two months at a time [2, 10]. Although cracks led to its decommissioning and partial removal, the tower was later restored and is now listed on the National Historic Lookout Register [2, 5, 10]. Today, visitors can enjoy a short, paved trail from the parking area to the fire tower [7, 11, 12]. The summit provides picnic areas and restrooms, making it an ideal spot for a family outing [2, 11]. The area is particularly beautiful in May and June when rhododendrons and azaleas bloom [2, 4].
Local tips
- Visit in May or June to see the rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom [2, 4].
- Bring a camera and binoculars to capture the stunning panoramic views and spot wildlife [6].
- Pack a picnic to enjoy at the summit's picnic area [2, 11].
- Be aware that Forest Road 69, leading to Wayah Bald, is typically closed from January through March due to winter weather [2, 6, 12, 13].
A brief summary to Wayah Bald
- North Carolina, US
Getting There
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Driving
From Franklin, NC, travel west on US 64 for approximately 3 miles [2, 7, 13]. Turn right at the Wayah Bald/LBJ Job Corps sign onto Old Murphy Road/State Road 1442, then quickly left onto State Road 1310/Wayah Road [2]. Continue on Wayah Road for 9 miles [2, 7, 13]. Turn right onto the unpaved National Forest Road 69 (Wayah Bald turnoff) and follow it for 4.3 miles to the parking area [2, 4, 7, 13]. Note that Forest Road 69 is typically closed from January 1 to April 1 [2, 6, 12, 13]. Parking is free at the Wayah Bald parking area [2].
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Hiking
Wayah Bald is accessible via the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail [2, 5, 6]. A moderate 8.5-mile hike from Wayah Gap along the Appalachian Trail leads to the summit [3]. Alternatively, the 9.1-mile Wayah Crest Trail provides another hiking option [11]. The final approach to the tower from the parking area is a short, paved 0.4-mile path [7, 11, 12]. No fees are associated with hiking these trails.
