Chattooga River Trail

The Chattooga River Trail (CRT) runs 37 miles from US 76 to Ellicott's Rock/ Bad Creek Junction where South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia intersect.  It accesses numerous waterfalls, the gorgeous Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, and the Ellicott Rock Wilderness.  Because of its low elevation and easy access, the Chattooga River Trail is one of my favorite places to go in winter.

Chattooga River

Resources for the Chattooga River Trail:

Tim Homan's Hiking Trails of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, the Ellicott Rock Wilderness, and the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River.
     This book highlights the natural features of the region and provides essential information for dayhiker, backpacker, or naturalist.   I cannot recommend this guidebook highly enough for those that want to explore and learn about this beautiful region.

SC Trails Website- an overview map of the CRT Sections 3 & 4.

Sherpa Guide- area information, brief trail descriptions, and trailhead directions.

Trails Illustrated Map #778 Brasstown Bald / Chattooga River (most of the CRT) and
#785 Nantahala and Cullasaja Gorges (north part).
     These maps show access roads to trailheads and side trails for most of the CRT.  Heavy, waterproof paper stands up to repeated folding and rain.  Scale is zoomed out so while provides overview of topography, I typically leave it in the car and use a more detailed trail map or guidebook because these do not show campsites or water sources.

Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River USFS Map
     While outdated, this map provides still gives the best detail of the trails.

Chattooga River Trail planning

Some of my trips along the Chattooga River: 

Chattooga River Trail Thru -Nov. 2013
   from the Bad Creek Trail to the US 76 bridge

Chattooga Cliffs Trail- June 2013, Nov. 2013
    5.1 miles
   Parking: Whiteside Cove Road or Bull Pen Road
   Highlights: the Narrows

Burrells Ford to Ellicott's Rock/Bad Creek Junction - April 2013, June 2013
   CRT Section 4:  4.5 Miles
   Parking: Burrells Ford or Walhalla Fish Hatchery
   Highlights: Spoonauger Falls, side trail to the Fish Hatchery via the East Fork Trail

Highway 28 bridge to Burrells Ford - April 2010, April 2011
   CRT Section 3:  12.8 miles
   Highlights:  King's Creek Falls, Lick Log Falls, wildflowers

US 76 bridge to the Highway 28 bridge- Sept. 2010, Feb 2013, Jan. 2014
  CRT Sections 1 and 2:  20.1 miles
   Highlights: Dick's Creek Falls
  
Trails that intersect the CRT:
     Fork Mountain Trail- April 2013
     Ellicott's Rock Trail- June 2013

Trailing arbutus blooms as early as Feb. along the Chattooga River Trail