Overview
From woods to wetlands to meadows, the 4.9-mile Little Tennessee River Greenway passes through a variety of habitats as it follows the scenic banks of the Little Tennessee River. Part of the North Carolina Birding Trail, it meanders along the river as it makes its way through the small city of Franklin. A network of dirt trails off the path offers a more strenuous experience for mountain bikers and hikers. Other features include a disc golf course, exercise stations, a monarch butterfly garden, a playground, and a splash pad. Plans call for adding about 1.5 miles to the greenway on its southern end to reach the Macon County Recreation Center.
Most sections of the greenway have Cherokee names to honor the Indigenous peoples who lived in three ancient villages that were located along the banks of the river. Other historical features include a section of the early-20th-century Tallulah Falls Railroad, as well as a section of an abandoned airport runway. In addition, a section called the Tartan Trail recalls early settlers from the 1700s.
About the Route
Starting at the south end behind the Macon County Public Library, where restrooms are available, the trail heads north and passes by the open meadow of the Walasi Trail Circle, where you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the river and wildflowers in the field. Moving north on the Tartan Trail, the greenway passes by a community garden and part of the disc golf course before crossing the covered Nonah Bridge in 1.4 miles. Just 0.2 miles farther, the trail crosses the river again on the 1890s steel-truss Nickajack Bridge.
Next up is a section of the Tallulah Falls Railroad Trail, which follows a train route that carried passengers between Franklin and Cornelia, Georgia, from 1907 to 1946. In 0.8 miles, the trail crosses over the river. the 120-foot-long wooden Tassee Bridge, which offers a picture-perfect view of the confluence of the Little Tennessee River and its tributary, the Cullasaja River. Restrooms are available at the Tassee Shelter. Here, the greenway heads north on the Old Airport Trace—a section consisting of about 2,700 feet (0.5 miles) of an old north-south airport runway used from 1946 to 1968.
The Little Tennessee River Greenway runs between Siler Farms Disc Golf Course (Franklin) and Little Tennessee River Greenway, 123-145 Arthur Drake Rd (Franklin).
Parking is also available at:
See TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
This is a nice trail that runs beside and crosses over the river. Most of the trail is paved, but parts were not paved or were perhaps covered in sand and dirt. (Hence the 4-star rating.) I am unsure if it is always this way or a result of the recent Hurricane that passed this way. (Fall 2024).
I was impressed with the number of benches along the trail and the great signs helping us know where to go. One portion (in Franklin) runs through an unpaved parking lot behind some stores. At first, we were confused but then we saw a sign explaining where to go to get back to the trail.
Also in Franklin is a small "Women's History Park" with a statue and plaques explaining the park and the statue. It was worth the time to look and read.
There are also some cafes and restaurants in that area so you can enjoy a quick coffee or a more relaxed meal.
Being autumn, there was a lot of "tree debris" on sections of the path but overall this was a nice path that we hope to enjoy again.
Graveled roads as well as paved. Reminded me of the creeper as well as Chattanooga greenway combined. I would recommend this greenway …absolutely gorgeous!! Wish it could be longer. We rode 11 miles, but it’s so beautiful, you could ride it twice.
9 miles out and back. If you do the circle at the end, you can get to 10. Mostly paved with some gravel/dirt sections. But beware! Several areas where it looks like it might be easier but you end up in a parking lot or dead end and have to go back.
Worst bicycle trail we have ridden on. Partly paved then turned into gravel then into dirt. Trail is not marked and several times we went the wrong way and had to turn around. When we reached the end we had no idea which way to go, NO SIGNS