The Balds Loop

53.5 miles / 86km

+13,900ft gain - 13,900 loss

The Loop starts at Wayah Bald tower and makes its way to the other prominent point of the route, Cheoah Bald, the northern terminus of the Bartram trail. The route creates a loop with the  Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Bartram Trail. 

This point-to-point route connects two emblematic towns of the Loire and Ardèche regions — from the Saint-Étienne Town Hall to the Annonay Town Hall — following mostly the GR42, a long-distance trail that runs from Saint-Étienne all the way to Aigues-Mortes.

Starting on West Peak in Helderberg Nature Reserve the route tags 16 peaks listed below. It is nearly all off trail with a lot of bundu bashing and scrambling. Truly a great adventure.

The whole route can be seen from Somerset West and Gordon's Bay area. There is cell phone signal along most of the route on the peaks. But don't be fooled, just because you can see civilisation in the distance you are pretty remote for the most part and bail out options are limited.