Stay and Play in the Smokies
Walasi Trail-Little Tennessee River Greenway

Walasi Trail-Little Tennessee River Greenway

Categories: Play, Hiking & Backpacking, Fishing, Mountain Biking, Dog Friendly Hiking Trails, Fishing for Hatchery Supported Trout, Little Tennessee River Greenway Biking Trails, The Little Tennessee River Greenway

Coordinates
35.15812, -83.38155
 
Hike Distance
4-mile greenway system
0.2 mile connector
via dirt road
 
Access
Easy via SCC Campus/
Macon Co. Library
Parking Areas 
 
City
Franklin
County
Macon County
 
Distance From
Franklin, In town limits 

Difficulty Levels

  • Hike1
  • Fishing2-4
  • Bike2

Highlights

  •  One of 5 major access points along the 4-mile Little Tennessee River Greenway System
  •  Mostly Paved w/some gravel sections 
  •  Newest access point from the Southwestern Community College Campus & Regional Library 
  •  Access point for the greenway's Mountain Bike Trails and fishing in the Cartoogecheye Creek
  •  Picnic tables and benches line the creek bank
  •  Connects to the nearby Tassee Park-Little Tennessee River Greenway access point

The Local Scoop

When in the downtown Franklin area and want to do a little mountain biking, trail running or walk and possibly some trout fishing, we suggest accessing the Walasi Trail-Little Tennessee River Greenway.  We consider this section to be one of the prettiest due to it's secluded and relaxed atmosphere created by the lazy Cartoogechaye Creek and wide open fields.
We like to use Walasi Trail for a short mountain bike ride along the hillside trails as well as the Cartoogechaye Creek Side Trail that runs along the creek bank.
Another asset that should be noted is the 9 hole Frisbee Golf Course located to the left and behind of SCC (Southwestern Community College). 

 

Local Directions

Take U.S. Hwy-441/23 South from Downtown Franklin for appox. 0.35 mile through first red light and into the Left turn lane at the Second red light. Take the left onto "Siler Road" and go until the you see the entrance for Southwestern Community College. Access the trail from the road that divides the Macon County Library and the SCC campus.  You can park in either parking area.  At the end and in between both parking areas is a dirt road that continues down and through a field.  This is your access point to the paved, "Little Tennessee River Greenway," as well as the gravel portion and the Mountain Bike trails.