Two hikes along the Bartram Trail in Northern Georgia will celebrate roadless areas in the national forests on Sunday, Aug. 15.

Both hikes, led by Georgia ForestWatch, will climb to the summit of Rabun Bald, the second highest peak in Georgia with spectacular panorama of the Nantahala and Smokies ranges. Georgia poet Laurence Holden will then read some of his new mountain-infused poetry.

The two hiking groups will take alternate routes to the top, one that is 8.5 miles and one that is 3.5 miles.

The first annual Roadless Recreation Week is being celebrated with various wilderness outings in 15 states to highlight the importance of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a hard-fought victory by environmentalists to keep “roadless” areas in national forests “roadless.” It protects 60 million acres from future road building.

Reserve a spot on the hike by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 706.635.8733.