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Franklin, North Carolina

Looking for the best hiking in Franklin? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Franklin. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Franklin

  • Statesville, North Carolina

    Hike the Lake Shore Trail at Lake Norman

    4.4
    5 mi / 75 ft gain
    From the Cove Picnic area in Lake Norman State Park, you immediately begin hiking along the lakeshore. If you don't want to take the full lake loop, use Short Turn Trail for a 2.5 mile hike. This trail makes for a moderate hike or solid trail run route.
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  • UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, North Carolina

    Walk through The Botanical Gardens in Asheville

    0.5 mi
    Just a little under 2 miles away from downtown Asheville, NC, you'll find the beautiful Botanical Gardens. If you're looking for the perfect place to walk around, explore, and go at your own pace...look no further.  The entire wooded property is roughly 10 acres, but you can wander along the sho...
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  • Mount Gilead, North Carolina

    Dutchman's Creek Trail, Uwharrie NF

    3.8
    11.31 mi / 1407 ft gain
    This hike starts with mellow terrain changes allowing you to get a feel for the trail. For the first 5 miles you will have one or two steep inclines that take a toll on the calf muscles. The remaining 6 miles include a more difficult terrain including a section of the hike called Hallucination Hi...
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  • Hiddenite, United States

    Hike The Hollow Rock Trail at Rocky Face Mountain

    4.0
    2.4 mi / 514 ft gain
    From the parking lot, head northwest to find the trailhead for Buzzard Roost Loop. Follow that and stay left to meet up with the Hollow Rock Trail. This is a moderate hike with great views of the park. Perfect for a quick escape with the family. For a quick and tasty bite after your hike, hit up ...
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  • Pinnacle, North Carolina

    Hike the Jomeokee Trail at Pilot Mountain SP

    4.3
    0.8 mi / 100 ft gain
    This unique peak, also known as the Big Pinnacle, is in Pilot Mountain State Park.  From the main parking area on top of the mountain on Pilot Knob Park Road, you can first view the Big Pinnacle from the overlook attached to the parking lot.  The prominent mountain behind the Big Pinnacle is Hang...
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  • Walnut Cove, North Carolina

    Hike and Rock Climb Moore's Knob

    4.3
    Looking for a shorter hike with stunning views, or a place to rappel with a backdrop like no other on the East Coast? Look no further than Moore's Knob, located within Hanging Rock State Park. Just North of Winston-Salem, Moore's Knob is one of the many wonders of the Sauratown Mountains. At 2579...
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  • Walnut Cove, North Carolina

    Hike the Sauratown Trail

    22 mi / 800 ft gain
    You can through-hike or section hike.  I did it from Tory's Den to the Corridor Trail Parking Lot in about 10 hours. Check the Sauratown Trail Association's website before traveling.  It is a bridle and hiking trail so the hiking is fairly easy. A lot of it travels beside streams. In other places...
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  • Danbury, North Carolina

    Hanging Rock

    4.4
    2.45 mi / 515 ft gain
    Park in the main parking lot for Hanging Rock State Park, and the trailhead can easily be found in the upper parking lot (furthest away from the main building), and is clearly marked. The trail starts off by descending, but don't be fooled, it quickly turns into a steady climb that will have you ...
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  • Danbury, North Carolina

    Hanging Rock and Cole Gap Mountain Loop

    4.5
    3.95 mi / 623 ft gain
    Beautiful hike through the forest up to an elevation of 2000+ feet for Hanging Rock. The Hanging Rock Trail is 1.3 miles one way. It includes a moderate incline up a well-kept dirt and gravel trail then, turns into steps made of timber, rock, and boulders (330 steps to be more exact!). Well worth...
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  • Summerfield, North Carolina

    Piedmont Trail

    5.67 mi / 289 ft gain
    Piedmont Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Greensboro, North Carolina.
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  • Hickory, North Carolina

    Geitner Rotary Park Loop

    5.0
    2.65 mi / 354 ft gain
    Geitner Rotary Park Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Hickory, North Carolina.
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  • Walnut Cove, North Carolina

    Lower Cascade Falls

    4.4
    0.75 mi / 105 ft gain
    A beautiful hike through the forest of Hanging Rock State Park. Trail meanders through pines and hardwoods filled with boulders, mountain laurel, scenic views, and the occasional deer or turkey. The trail begins as gravel and dirt then turns into steps made of wood and stone. Also on the trail is...
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