Franklin, North Carolina

  • HOME
  • VISIT
    • Visit Franklin, NC

      Visit Franklin, NC

      Are you looking for a weekend getaway or a nice long mountain vacation? Look no further than Franklin, NC! With so many things to do in here you won’t be disappointed!
    • Dine in Franklin, NC

      DINE

    • Where to stay in Franklin, NC

      SLEEP

    • Play in Franklin, NC

      PLAY

  • EXPLORE
    • Explore Franklin NC

      EXPLORE FRANKLIN

      Adventures await you in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains of Franklin, NC. Explore our area for your adventure.
    • Gem Mining WNC

      Gem Mining

      • Hiking in WNC

        Hiking

      • Biking in WNC

        Biking

    • Waterfalls WNC

      Waterfalls

      • Motorcycling WNC

        Motorcycling

      • Scenic Drives WNC

        Scenic Drives

    • Fishing WNC

      Fishing

      • Tours

        Tours

      • More Outdoors Franklin NC

        More Outdoors

  • EVENTS
    • Events Calendar

    • Area Festivals

Thursday, 27 February 2014 / Published in About Franklin

3 Winter Hikes Near Franklin, NC

Winter Hikes

Ah, winter in the mountains… it’s a quieter time, a calmer time. And with the trees bare of their leaves, at every turn you’ll find views that go on forever.

For those who enjoy the brisk mountain air, there are plenty of things to do in western North Carolina during the winter months. Here are three hiking options that are sure to please, whether you’re after family fun or an active weekend escape.

Rufus Morgan Trail

A short 12-mile drive from Franklin, NC, the Rufus Morgan trail is a great option for hikers of all ages and abilities. The easy one-mile loop is well-marked and well-maintained, meandering through a mature hardwood forest and crossing a babbling stream via foot bridge.

Waterfalls in western North Carolina are a popular attraction, and for good reason. This trail will lead you to a great example. About halfway through the hike, take the optional side trail to the base of a beautiful 60-foot waterfall.

But don’t worry about crowds here. If you want some time for peace and reflection, this is the hike for you. Especially during this time of year, you’re likely to have the Rufus Morgan Trail all to yourself.

Trailhead Coordinates: 35.15398, -83.5446
Directions from Franklin, NC:  https://goo.gl/maps/vShvs

Siler Bald

Siler Bald is one of the best kept secrets in the NC mountains, rewarding hikers with stunning 360-degree views. There are two trail options for reaching the Bald – one is 4 miles round-trip, the other is 8.4 miles. While both trails are family-friendly, take the shorter route if you have smaller children.

With an elevation of over 5,000 feet, if there’s any snow in the area, Siler Bald should have a good covering. If road conditions permit, do as the locals do and bring a sled or inner tube to enjoy the sloping terrain while you take in the breathtaking views.

Trailhead Coordinates:  35.12072,-83.547093
Directions from Franklin, NC:  https://goo.gl/maps/YBjON

Bartram Trail

Being in Franklin, NC is a great opportunity to hop onto a section of the gorgeous 100-mile Bartram Trail, one of western North Carolina’s best hiking trails.

A 10-minute drive from Franklin delivers you to a small parking area where you can begin the 4-mile out-and-back hike. This section of the Bartram Trail is appropriate for the whole family but is rated “moderate” difficulty due to the uphill journey through the wooded wilderness.

After only a few minutes, you’ll come upon a small, charming waterfall. At the end of the two-mile climb, you’ll find your destination: William’s Pulpit, a rock ledge that presents stunning views of the Nantahala Mountains. Enjoy the vista knowing that the return trip is all downhill!

Trailhead Coordinates:  35.18013, -83.43311
Directions from Franklin, NC:  https://goo.gl/maps/owmCq

Related posts:

No related posts.

Tagged under: Bartram Trail, best hiking trails, Franklin NC, franklin nc hikes, NC Mountains, Rufus Morgan Trail, Siler Bald

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Return to Our Blog

Upcoming Events

24
Mar

Seussical The Musical

Community / Featured Events
7:00 pm
25
Mar

Seussical The Musical

Community / Featured Events
2:00 pm
25
Mar

Seussical The Musical

Community / Featured Events
7:00 pm
discover franklin logo

©2016 Town of Franklin, North Carolina, Tourism Development Authority. Photos provided by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Timeless Moments Imaging, and Barbara Moore.

Follow Us

BROWSE

DINE
PLAY
SLEEP

Contact Us

Phone: 828.524.2516

Email: info@discoverfranklinnc.com

Privacy Policy

Visit Franklin, NC

Map of Franklin, NC. Click for directions

© 2016 All Rights Reserved | TDA Marketing Provided by Premiere Marketing | Hosting and Web Development SiteDart Hosting

discover-franklin-nc-avatarLet’s keep in touch!

We’ll keep you up to date with the local happenings and events here in Franklin – it’s like home away from home!

Pin It on Pinterest

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.