Trails near Franklin TN

[DavidR]

I'm planning to hike int he Franklin, TN area in a few weeks and thought I'd see if anyone here has any recommendations. I'm thinking Fall Creek Falls in Pikeville right now. Any other ideas?

[Pathfinder]

David, you might want to check out the Leiper's Fork Trail on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Info Here

Map Here

By the way, how far from Franklin do you consider "in the Franklin area"?

[DavidR]

Pathfinder, I owe ya one. That looks like a great trail! I was looking at a 2 hour drive from Franklin, but this is even better and closer! Thanks!

[Joshua Szulecki]

Fall Creek Falls is quite a drive (2hrs+) from Nashville/Franklin, so I'm guessing a drive isn't something you are afraid of. In the Nashville/Franklin area, Beaman Park is pretty decent. 1600 or so acres with a few miles of trails. Very much like Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham.

Mammoth Cave NP is about as far as Fall Creek Falls, good hiking there, but lots of horses. Ditto with Big South Fork, but a bit longer.

Cedars of Lebanon is interesting and a lot closer. Lots of exposed limestone and unusual plant species. Decent trail system, mostly short loops up to 5miles.

[DavidR]

Cool. Thanks Josh. I'm looking forward to the trip. Most likely doing the Leiper's Fork Trail.

[Bearpaw]

If you're willing to drive a couple of hours, Savage Gulf State Natural Area beats anything in the mid-to-sorta-eastern part of the state.  You can have your pick of waterfalls...

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

fantastic overlooks...

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

Stay in a cabin...

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

or a comfortable campsite...

Trails near Franklin TN

and enjoy the host of bridges along the way...

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

It is some of the finest relatively easy hiking in the region.  It gets tougher when you climb down into the gorges and the rocks increase.  But it is a fantastic area, one I much prefer to Mammoth Cave or Big South Fork.

[DavidR]

Thanks bro. Those pictures make that look amazing! The Leipers Fork site doesn't really tell much or show any pictures. My research hasn't had any luck either. I'll check into Savage as it looks like it would be great. Are the cabins free, like shelters? I'll search for a web site now.

[Ewker]

website for South Cumberland Park (Savage Gulf)

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/parkmap.htm

[Bearpaw]

Thanks bro. Those pictures make that look amazing! The Leipers Fork site doesn't really tell much or show any pictures. My research hasn't had any luck either. I'll check into Savage as it looks like it would be great. Are the cabins free, like shelters? I'll search for a web site now.

Yes, the one cabin (Hobbs Cabin) is free, first come, first served.  The one other cabin is the Savage Decatur Historic Site, where no lodging or camping is allowed.  The campsites are very large with at least 6 and up to 12 actual numbered sites in each campsite area.  All campsites and Hobbs Cabin have a privy/outhouse as well.  There are over 50 miles of trail in the region. 

Three main trailheads exist for overnight hikes.  These are the Stone Door and Savage Gulf Ranger Stations and the Collins Gulf trailhead.  You can self-register at any of the three.  The Greeter Falls trailhead is for day use only.

Offhand, I can think of six different falls:  Greeter, Ranger Creek, Laurel Creek, Horsepound, Suter, and Savage Falls.  Savage Falls is the most reliably flowing.  Greeter Falls is the tallest with the largest swimming hole beneath (and easy access, 1/4 mile from the parking area with a spiral staircase down to it).

Down in the gorges, be ready for rocky trail.  The Connector Trail from where it crosses the dry bed of Savage Creek up to Hobbs Cabin is a 1 1/2 mile stretch of bowling balls I call "the Grey Mile".  But take your time with it, and you should be fine.  Other areas tend to be fairly rocky at times, but never for the duration of the Grey Mile.

I've also hiked all the marked trails at Mammoth Cave and at least the trails in the Big South Fork area.  They have their own charm, no doubt.  But you definitely will have to compete for space with horses at Mammoth and ATV's or 4-wheelers at BSF.  Savage Falls is foot traffic only with lots of views and waterfalls and great camping areas.  That's why it's among my favorites.

[DavidR]

I'm really looking forward to this hike. My plan is to drive to Franklin Friday evening, leave from Franklin pretty early and begin hiking, camp, then hike out. I'm looking over the map and trying to plan. I'm very seasoned on all terrain, I'm not sure about my friend. Is there any loop that you would recommend? We can take 2 cars if needed.

http://www.outdoorsintenn...mages/Savage_Gulf_map.jpg

[DavidR]

Here are my current thoughts:

1. Start at Savage Ranger Station, follow the North Ridge in, and the North Plateau out. Pros: Long loop. Cons: Doesn't descend into the canyon.

Trails near Franklin TN

2. Start at Greeter Falls, follow Laurel to Stone Door, then BCG back to Greeter. Pros: covers both upper views and lower canyon. Cons: Short loop.

Trails near Franklin TN

3. Start at West Access, follow Collins Gulf to Stage Coach Rd, then back to Collins on the East ridge. Pros: Covers upper and lower terrain and is ok length.

Trails near Franklin TN

Right now I'm thinking option 3. I'd like it to be 16 or so miles, but 11.5 is ok. I may opt for option 2 if my friend would rather do a shorter hike. Any ideas are welcome.

[Bearpaw]

Loop 1 is a great all-around trail, especially if your friend wants to avoid much in the way of climbs.  It's pretty level and offers Savage Falls (with a 1/4-mile side trip), Hobbs Cabin, and MANY good overlooks along the north rim.  

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

The best is the one a mile before Hobbs Cabin, Tommy Point Overlook.

Trails near Franklin TN

For Loop 2, you'll have to start at Stone Door Ranger Station.  Greeter Falls is day use only, no overnight parking.  It will be better if you take Stone Door access trail over to Big Creek Rim to Alum Gap.  You'll get much better views versus Laurel Trail (which has none).  Set up camp, then dayhike over to Greeter Falls and back.  Next day, descend into the Gorge and hike back up to Stone Door and out.  The Stone Door is one of the most striking viewpoints and features in the area.

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

You get both the rim views and a gorge hike with the neatest falls in the area.  

Trails near Franklin TN

Trails near Franklin TN

Alum Gap Campsite is one of the biggest in the area.  The shorter mileage will be offset by some of the difficulty of the climb out, though it is still pretty reasonable.


Loop 3 is a classic gorge hike.  The Old Stagecoach Historic Trail section offers impressive rock work walls near the top.

Trails near Franklin TN

You get a handful of view on the rim in, and neat rough hiking down in the gorge.  Sawmill Campsite is nice and Schwoon Spring is an incredibly pristine spring protected by an overhanging rock house.  On the hike out, you get good views of Horsepound Falls and Suter Falls.

Trails near Franklin TN

The massive rockhouse at Suter Falls is very impressive.

Trails near Franklin TN

If your friend is tentative about rocky trail and climbing, definitively go with the modified Loop 2.  It has the densest collection of rewards in the entire state natural area (two waterfalls, 4 good-excellent overlooks along Big Creek Rim, and a great selection of level sites at Alum Gap) with a shorter day to negotiate the gorge hike and climb out.  For a first timer to the area, this would be my choice for a first hike.

More mileage but less climbing with several views and the Cabin?  Loop 1.

Loop 3 offers more of a challenge, with a fantastic spring and a couple of great waterfalls.

All these loops are winner, depending on what you're looking for.

Once you get there, you can get free full size maps at all the overnight trailheads as well, and this will make the experience all the more rewarding.

[sam4msu]

I just did option 1 a few weeks ago.  I wanted to avoid any climbing as this was my first time out after having back surgery last year and wanted to take it easy.  This loop has great views and is a fun trail to walk.  It is also flat enough to make good time if that is a bonus to you.  Although the Stone Door is mighty impressive, I would recommend loop in option 1 if you are not sure of your hiking partners fitness level.
Looking forward to reading your trip report.
Enjoy.