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

9 Franklin Area Hiking Trails Ranked Easy to Expert

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 by Beth Payseur
Hiking Trails Blog - Franklin, NC

Heading to the mountains during summer means it’s time for trails galore, and Franklin delivers! Whether you’re looking for a fun family outing that’s easy on the kids or a truly challenging trek with backpacks and tents, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for around these parts.

Here are 9 trails in a 45-minute drive or less from downtown Franklin! Difficulty level is ranked by AllTrails.com, and all distance measurements are round-trip.

Little Tennessee Greenway

Easy | 6.4 miles | 4 min drive

If you’re looking for the absolute best place to take the kids, check out the Little Tennessee Greenway. There are several entry points scattered throughout town, so if the six-and-a-half miles are too much, you can always pick a spot and walk as far as you like. Bring the bikes, the pets (on leashes), or a picnic—and be sure to check out the Wesley Park playground!

Pickens Nose

Easy | 1.4 miles | 44 min drive

Pickens nose is well worth the extra drive time, and not just because of the silly name that will keep your kids giggling for the whole trip. The view is absolutely stunning after a half-mile hike uphill, which is just enough to make you feel like a mountain explorer without having to break out the boots.

Wayah Bald Tower

Easy | 4 miles | 46 min drive

The kids are going to love this one; the Wayah Bald Tower is an old stone fire tower perched at 5,342 feet elevation with a massive 180-degree overlook. You can see as far as the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee all the way to the foothills in Georgia!

Rufus Morgan Trail

Medium | 1 mile | 28 min drive

The terrain is a bit more challenging, but for explorers who love chasing waterfalls, this trail is for you! The Rufus Morgan trail is also prime bird-watching territory, so be sure to grab a camera and a sketchbook. Leashed dogs are also welcome!

Bartram Trail

Medium | 4.1 miles | 9 min drive

Trail runners, get excited! The Bartram trail is a gorgeous rising-and-falling trail dotted with waterfalls that runners seek out. Climb all the way to the summit for a glorious view at William’s Pulpit. It’s also great for more adventurous kids and leashed pups, too!

Rock Gap

Medium | 10.1 miles | 23 min drive

Get ready to feel delightfully lost in a forest wonderland. The trek is a bit longer than most we’ve covered so far, but you’ll truly feel like you’ve wandered into a fairy realm. Ready your backpack and your camera—and maybe even some camping gear—for a truly nature-rooted experience.

Deep Gap

Expert | 4.9 miles | 42 min drive

Deep Gap is a great catch-all trail. Whether you want to spot wildlife, set up camp, or get some trail running in with your dog, the 5-mile round trip is a great balance between being challenging and also accessible for different goals.

Winding Stair Gap

Expert | 9.4 miles | 15 min drive

Want to conquer a section of the Appalachian Trail without getting whisked away to Maine? Winding Stair Gap is just the thing. The entry point is right on US 64 with convenient parking at the base. Take your pups on a leash and get ready to take plenty of floral photos!

Wayah Bald to Tellico Gap

Expert | 13.8 round trip | 42 min drive

Start at Wayah Bald Tower and prepare for an expedition! Hikers who want to backpack and camp along the trail are in for a treat between Wayay Bald and Tellico Gap. You can even bring Fido on your journey! For adventurers who want to undertake the almost-14-mile round trip in one go, we salute you—that’s an undertaking!

 

best hiking trailsFranklinFranklin NCfranklin nc hikesGreenwayhikingNC MountainsRufus Morgan TrailWestern NC
Read more
  • Published in About Franklin
1 Comment

Spring Has Sprung

Monday, 25 April 2016 by Beth Payseur
Spring has Sprung

Clock Tower-Mathias

The Dogwoods are pristine, the tulips are exploding with color and the mountains of Western North Carolina are calling. Spring in Franklin is unlike anytime of year. Everything is new and fresh and the air is a little crisper than normal. If you are thinking of a weekend getaway, look no further, Franklin is where you need to be.

May is a fantastic month to plan a trip to Franklin, North Carolina, with unique experience planned each feel. From an introduction to puppetry class at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts on May 2 to the Echo Valley Gem and Mineral Show May 4-8, there is something for everyone.

 
gemboree-franklin-ncMother’s Day weekend is a treat in Macon County, with gem shows like you have never seen, a plant sale along main street and the famous annual “Airing of the Quilts” festival. Come see homemade, one of kind masterpieces as they are hung up and down Franklin’s quaint main street and stop in to say hello to the shop owners displaying these works of art.

 

 

 

Greenway
The Little Tennessee Greenway is perfect in the Spring, with the cool breeze of the Little Tennessee River pairing well with the sweet smells of native flowers blossoming along the walk.

 

 

 

 

 

AT_Community_color_logoThe Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail are bustling with hikers and with various trail heads and access points to both, a great day hike or even a section hike is the ideal way to spend time in Macon County.

 

Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts and what better way to recharge and refresh than Discovering Us, here in Franklin, North Carolina.

MH photo

 

 

best hiking trailsFranklin NCGem ShowsGreenwaySpring
Read more
  • Published in About Franklin, Outdoor Activities
No Comments
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.