Hiking Trails
Whether you are looking for a short, family-friendly walk or something more strenuous, the following links will offer plenty of options.
- Our top pick is the family-friendly Little Tennessee River Greenway which runs through Franklin. It’s great for a short walk or jogging. The trail offers wheelchair-accessible paved trails, off-trail hiking, and bike trails. There is also nine-hole disc golf course and exercise stations at Centennial Park. Watch this clip to learn more and preview the trail. Click on the map here to download a PDF of the trail.
- 9 Franklin Area Hiking Trails Ranked Easy to Expert – This Discover Franklin post suggests 9 trails in a 45-minute drive or less from downtown Franklin! The difficulty level is ranked by AllTrails.com, and all distance measurements are round-trip.
- AllTrails Best trails in Franklin, North Carolina – 25 great hiking trails, trail running trails, forest trails, and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. You can filter by several factors such as difficulty, length, and elevation, etc.
- The Appalachian Trail (Georgia to Maine) passes just a few miles west of Franklin and can be accessed at many points.
- The Bartram Trail also passes through Franklin, going East-West, and offers many highlights.
- For another great guide to trails, check out the Hiking & Backpacking section of Stay and Play in the Smokies website.
- Discover Jackson County (one county to our east) offers several ideas and maps for walks and serious hikes.