9 Franklin Area Hiking Trails Ranked Easy to Expert
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!
- Published in About Franklin
Rain or Shine, Adventure Awaits in Franklin
Vacation planning can get tricky if you’re laying out the trip months in advance.
Perhaps you heard of an awesome indoor attraction, but the lady at the hotel really sells you on enjoying the sunshine on a hiking trail—and what do you do when your excursion gets flipped because it’s not so nice outside? Maybe you realize upon arrival that you’d really rather stay in with a sprawling view of the mountains to keep you company.
Lucky for our tourists, Franklin is a great destination for vacations of all sorts. Whether you want to revel in the outdoors, explore the indoor attractions, or kick back at a lodge for a lazy day in the clouds.
Sunny Days
Franklin is the hub of outdoor adventures galore! When the weather’s nice, time’s your only limit for the things you can do in a day.
Want to cannonball into your vacation? Check out the swimming hole at Bust-Your-Butt Falls, just an hour’s drive from Franklin on roads with spectacular mountain views. Fishers also have a dream come true, with multiple spots for fly fishing in the cool rivers, but if adrenaline’s more your speed, white water rafting is the way to go!
For you adventurers who’d rather not get wet, we’ve got hikes and bike trails from the easy-going, paved Little Tennessee River Greenway to more ambitious mountain trails and waterfalls.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a complete trip to Franklin without gem mining! We’re the ruby capital of the world, so make sure to set aside some time to get muddy and dig for treasure in the mountains!
Rainy Days
Don’t let rainy days get you down! There’s plenty to see and do indoors while you listen to the rain pattering the roof outside.
For instance, you can kick it back in one of our local breweries or taprooms for dark beers and friendly conversations. Downtown, you can pop in and out of our Main Street shops without getting drenched and bring home snazzy new outfits and mountain-made souvenirs.
Want to delve into Franklins wild and peculiar history? Check out our museums and drop into any number of antique stores for a taste of our past. You’ll be surprised at what you find in our quiet little town!
Now, the kids are in for a real treat if you visit the Factory! Our massive arcade is outfitted with everything from ticket games to laser tag and bumper cars—and all indoors. Time to get rid of some rainy-day energy!
Lazy Days
While venturing out is exciting, sometimes you just need a day to relax and recover from the craziness of everyday life. What’s the point of vacation if you just end up being stressed as you try to cram everything into a few days?
Whether you want the space and privacy of a personal balcony at Cat Creek Lodge, the old-fashioned hominess of Oak Hill Country Inn, or the mid-town location of Franklin Terrace, a lodge or bed and breakfast is absolutely the way to go.
For some, bed and breakfasts just isn’t the right speed—and that’s okay! We have hotels, motels, and AirBnB rentals galore for anyone hunting a great place to stay.
Whatever day it is, have a great one!
Franklin is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to breath that mountain air, enjoy the view from the porch, and explore what Western North Carolina has to offer. We can’t wait to have you, rain or shine!
- Published in About Franklin
Swoon The Bakery
43 Phillips Street
828.524.3002
Swoon the Bakery is a gourmet artisan bakery in Franklin, North Carolina. We will offer Franklin and surrounding areas a full service bakery featuring cakes, cupcakes, a variety of baked goods, coffee, drinks, and gifts. We also operate an online Etsy shop and can ship our shortbread cookies and more anywhere in the United States
- Published in Restaurants
Rizzo’s Bakery & Bistro
91 Georgia Road
828.369.7774
- Published in Restaurants
Cody’s Kitchen
349 Westgate Plaza
828.524.9049
Cody’s Kitchen is a family owned and operated restaurant serving the Franklin area. We wanted Cody’s Kitchen to be a place that everyone could enjoy; therefore, we created a very diverse menu in hopes of providing our customers with food that the whole family could enjoy. From pizza and pasta, to chicken fingers and fries, there is something for everyone! We believe that all of our customers deserve the highest level of service, and we are committed to providing just that. Come in and join us for a delicious meal, and let us know how we are doing.
- Published in Restaurants
