About This Race
The Bearhoti Trail Fest offers a multi-distance weekend celebration in Georgia's rugged Cohutta Mountains, part of the Lower Appalachian range. This grassroots event combines challenging mountain terrain with the beauty of one of the Southeast's most pristine wilderness areas. The festival format spans two days, with a Friday evening King/Queen of the Mountain race followed by Saturday's main events, allowing runners to choose a single distance or make a full weekend adventure of it. The Cohuttas provide some of the most beautifully rugged terrain in the Lower Appalachians, featuring significant climbing, technical descents, creek crossings, and remarkable views. Runners will encounter Georgia's largest tulip poplar tree among other natural landmarks. The event emphasizes exploration and enjoyment over pure competition, encouraging participants to take time to appreciate the mountain environment. Organized by Run the Cohuttas, a local grassroots organization, the event maintains an intimate, community-focused atmosphere. The race has moved its start/finish location away from the popular Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp, though shuttle services are available for those staying at the basecamp's campsites and cabins.
The courses wind through the Cohutta Mountains' diverse terrain, featuring substantial mountain climbing followed by technical downhill sections that reward skilled descenders. Runners navigate singletrack trails through dense forest, cross multiple creeks, and encounter significant elevation changes throughout the routes. The terrain is characteristic of the Lower Appalachians, with rocky, technical sections mixed with flowing trail segments.
Key features include creek crossings that can become challenging during wet conditions, exposed ridgeline sections with panoramic mountain views, and the notable Georgia's largest tulip poplar tree. The courses showcase the full spectrum of Cohutta wilderness, from steep climbs to rolling forest floor to technical rocky descents.
Race History
2021 Results
Practical Info
Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp offers campsites and cabins near the race area with shuttle services to the start/finish. Reservations must be made directly with the basecamp.
Best For
Notable Features
The festival format allows runners to experience the full spectrum of Cohutta wilderness over two days, from evening racing to dawn-to-dusk mountain adventures. The proximity to Georgia's largest tulip poplar tree and the emphasis on exploration over pure racing create a unique blend of challenge and natural appreciation. The grassroots organization maintains an intimate community atmosphere while accessing some of the Southeast's most pristine mountain terrain.