The Naturalist 2026

The Naturalist begins in downtown Franklin, North Carolina, directing runners onto the historic Bartram Trail in Nantahala National Forest each October. This is a small mountain trail race offering 25K and 50K distances, limited to a small field, featuring steep climbs rather than fast-road pacing. The course travels from Franklin toward Wayah Bald; the longer race is an out-and-back. The 50K includes approximately 10,500 feet of climbing and nearly 6,000 feet of descent, while the 25K requires about 6,500 feet of climbing and 3,400 feet of descent. Runners access the Bartram Trail area at Wallace Branch before ascending toward Wayah Bald, an 11-mile climb from the trailhead to the summit. The route is predominantly dirt trail, with brief sections of dirt road and pavement. Aid is sufficiently limited that runner-supplied caches are important. The race is named for William Bartram, the naturalist who explored these mountains in the late 1700s. Outdoor 76 organizes the event with local trail and land partners, incorporating it into the town's Fall Celebration, which includes live music and a post-race craft beer offering.