Appalachian Trail Days – Welcome Hikers!

Franklin, NC is the place to rest, regroup, restock, repair (equipment and your body), check in with your loved ones, grab a hot meal and cold brew.

As the first Appalachian Trail Community we welcome thru-hikers in so many ways! At 110 miles on the AT, we are an affordable, authentic mountain town. Here’s just some of the ways we welcome and celebrate all the brave, intrepid souls on the AT.

• Inexpensive rides to and from the trails (locals may also pick you up for free). Many affordable places to stay. A daily free breakfast. Outfitters will repair and restock your gear. Of course, you can enjoy our international cuisine and our legendary breweries and wine bars.

Here’s some specific details:

Rides to and from the Trail: Locals regularly pick up hikers making their way to and from Franklin. but, Macon County Transit has a regular schedule. Call 828-349-2222 for scheduling and more MCT information.

For just $5 per person, Macon County Transit regular pick-ups/drop-offs are at:

• Winding Stair Gap (9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm),
• Rock Gap (9:45 am, 12:45 pm, 3:45 pm)
• In Franklin back to the trailheads (9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm).  

Also, Al Steinman (aka Sherpa Al) will pick up hikers for a fee. 954-907-5140. Business post. Personal profile.

In-Town Transportation: Macon County’s Mountain Gem travels throughout Franklin for $3. Restaurants, outfitters, grocery stores (Walmart too) (Check out macontransit.com for scheduling trips and other information.)

Hiker Services: Franklin’s two Outfitters, Three Eagles Outfitters and Outdoor 76, will help repair, restock, and more.

Free Hiker Breakfast: From March 14 – April 14, the First Baptist Church of Franklin offers a free breakfast to A.T. hikers daily from 7:15 – 8:15 am. All the pancakes and bacon you can eat. Van pickup available. In addition to the breakfast, the church offers to take a photo of each hiker and mail it to a friend or loved one along with a note written by the hiker. Enjoy a full belly and fond Franklin memories. For more information call 828-369-9559. Location: 69 Iotla St, Franklin, NC 28734

Discounts on food, drinks, shopping: The Rathskeller – 15% off for any hiker between March 15 and April 15. Gracious Plates on Main – 10% discount from March 20 through April 22. Trail Mix will ship all in-store purchases by hikers totaling over $20 for free.

Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin will host its annual Hiker Chow Down on Saturday, March 29 from 12-2 p.m.

Free WiFi: The Town of Franklin offers free, secure WiFi. Simply grab a bench or a table at a coffee shop or restaurant and enjoy.

Happenings: Sapphire Inn’s Hiker Gathering, March 30, between 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. Three Eagles: Friday, April 4-Sunday April 6, 31 Anniversary/Hiker weekend event with door prizes, snacks-free coffee and beverages. Appalachian Trail legends will be visiting that weekend, etc.

Nantahala Hiking Club Meeting and Program: Macon County Public Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd., Franklin, NC, Thursday, April 10, 6:00 p.m. Franklin Tate, Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Associate Regional Director in the South, is scheduled to speak. He’ll address how clubs like ours work hand-in-hand with the ACT to ensure the safety and enjoyability of the trail for all users.

Overall, we’re big fans of the A.T. around here. Franklin was the first town along the Trail to be designated an A.T. Community. Members of the Franklin based Nantahala Hiking Club (NHC) work with the U.S. Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to maintain 58.5 gorgeous miles of the A.T. to include 10 shelters with privies, 9 group camp sites and 26 scenic viewpoints.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail meets Historic Franklin, NC at 110 trail miles (AT110) north of Springer Mountain, GA, the southern terminus of the A.T. Originally designated an A.T. Community in 2010 by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Franklin is the logical resupply/rest point between Hiawassee, GA and the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC.

The A.T. crosses Highway 64 at Winding Stair Gap 10 miles west of Franklin.

#AT110: Help us promote Franklin’s unique location at Mile 110 by tagging photos you take while in town.