Adventure Out The Little Tennessee River Greenway

by Peter McIntosh

Autumn is fast approaching and with it, the invigorating cool breezes that beckon an outdoor excursion. With that in mind we’re visiting our neighbors to the north in Franklin, North Carolina and taking a stroll on the beautiful Little Tennessee River Greenway. It’s almost level all the way with lots of benches and picnic tables to rest and catch your breath. This is a great path for you to get yourself ready for a tougher hike you may have planned for later in the fall. The greenway is a hiking, jogging, biking trail that runs four miles from the Suli Marsh, near the south end of Lake Emory, southward to a turnaround just past the confluence of the Little Tennessee River and Cartoogechaye Creek.

The Suli Marsh (pronounced Sue Lee) features a wonderful boardwalk where you can get a close up and personal wetlands experience. (This section of the trail is a must see for folks interested in birding.) From here the trail proceeds north on the western side of the river for one mile before reaching the playground at Big Bear Park. This is a modern, well maintained playground that kids are sure to love.

Now the trail crosses under West Main Street and then crosses East Main Street. Please be careful crossing this sometimes busy road. There on your right is the FROG Quarters, a coffee shop - gift shop run by Friends Of the Greenway. Get it, FROG? You’ll see that word a lot on this trail. We cross over the river and continue south behind a shopping center.

Peter McIntosh is an accomplished professional photographer. His photography is displayed in collections across the country. His passion for nature and the outdoors is what fuels his column. His work is available as fine art prints. Peter offers one on one and small group instruction on camera operation and photography. To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit Peter’s website: www.mcintoshmountains.com

Back on the well groomed trail again it’s not long before you come to a stunning butterfly garden. (This section is registered as a North American Monarch Waystaion.) The pathway soon gets wider at an open area where exercise stations are located. About one mile further is the first of a few really nice foot bridges. Looking south from this bridge, you’ll see the confluence of the Cullasaga River, flowing down from Highlands, North Carolina, and the Little Tennessee River, which originates in Rabun County’s beautiful Wolffork Valley.

Now the trail gets a little more wooded and the sounds of the busy lumber mill start to fade away. You’ll notice the path goes through a couple of old railroad cuts. These are from the Tallulah Falls Railroad which used to come this way many, many years ago.

Next you’ll come to an iron trestle crossing the river and then right along, another laminated wooden bridge, this one’s covered, crossing back over the river. Here you pass a Frisbee golf course and a community garden. The pathway continues a bit further, up over a hill, and comes to a big turnaround. If you started at Suli Marsh, you’ve walked four miles, so if you go back the whole way, that’s eight miles. Keep that in mind as you walk along. There are mileage markers all along the pathway so it’s easy to tell how far you’ve walked. As I said before, if you’re looking to build up your hiking strength, this is a great place to train.

Happy hiking!

As summer fades like a cooling ember, here’s my poem for September: As the seasons change let’s go take a stroll, On a riverside trail sure to sooth your soul. You’ll see birds and butterflies and cross some really cool bridges, And off in the distance, some high mountain ridges.

Getting there: There are many parking areas where you can access the trail. You can view a nice map on their website or stop by the FROG Quarters at 573 East Main Street at the river in Franklin, North Carolina.

Their phone number is: 828-349-8488 Or on the web: www.littletennessee.org

To see more of Peter’s photos or if a have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com