Whether on your motorcycle or bicycle the Franklin
area is a true cycling paradise.
 From
leisurely scenic rides to the adventurous Tail
of the Dragon motorcyclists can experience the
mountains of western North Carolina from a different
perspective.
Riders can enjoy spectacular mountain vistas
and scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway or
in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap features
318 curves in 11 miles. America ’s number
one otorcycle and sports car road is only an
hour away from Franklin. Closer home, Highways
28 and 64 have some pretty intense curves of
their own.
Bicycling & Mountain
Biking
Easy
Routes
 Otto
Loop
This loop begins at the bike shop. It circles
around the beautiful valley through Otto, NC.
The route is approximately 20 miles and has
very little climbing. It is on mostly back roads
and ends up back at the shop, where you can
enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.
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Intermediate
Routes
Patton Valley
This 20+ mile loop also begins at the bike shop;
from there country roads are followed back to
the bottom of “Standing Indian”.
Then the ride progresses along a nice smooth
valley to Hwy 64. After a brief jaunt on the
highway, you begin riding towards gorgeous Patton
Valley. The ride provides scenic views of the
mountains in all directions and then begins
its way back to the bike shop with more miles
through Franklin’s scenic back country
roads.
Cowee
 This
loop begins from the Franklin fitness center,
located in the heart of Franklin. This 30 mile
loop slowly moves out of town into the beautiful
Cowee valley. The ride then circles the valley,
providing a picturesque ride you won’t
forget. After the circle, the ride passes the
airport and then moves back into Franklin. This
ride provides a moderate amount of climbing,
none to steep or long.
Advanced
Routes
Standing Indian Loop
This 25-30 mile ride is also known as the “Standing
Indian climb”. This route begins to follow
the same route as the Patton Valley loop, but
instead of moving directly into the valley,
the ride climbs for 4+ miles to the top. From
there you can go back down into the valley or
go out onto the highway. Both will provide a
lightning fast descent back into Patton Valley
where the ride will continue.
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Easy
Trails
Little Tennessee River
Greenway
Perfect for family outings, the Greenway provides
paved trails winding along the Little “T”.
Both young and young at heart will delight in
the peaceful setting that winds some four miles
through Franklin. Along the way you’ll be
delighted many many species of wildflowers and
wildlife, including the River Otter.
Intermediate/Difficult
Trails
 Tsali
Nationally known trails. Mouse, Thompson, Right
and Left loop, rated as one of the ten best trails
in the nation by a nationally published cycling
magazine. These trails are always enjoyable to
ride. They offer beautiful views of Lake Fontana
and the surrounding mountains. These trails are
fast and not very technical. This is the ideal
place to ride all day long if you have the time.
Camping and showers are available. More info at
the Tsali website at www.westernncattractions.com/tsali.htm
or at Smoky Mountain Bicycles.
White Twister
This trail is located about 20 miles south of
Franklin. It is a 4.6 mile loop that is fast and
offers a fair amount of climbs. The trail runs
along a river for a good part of the ride and
ends a few hundred yards down a dirt road from
a beautiful waterfall. This will be on of the
most fun short loops you can ride, and it can
be ridden forwards or backwards to change things
up.
Coweeta Lab/Buckeye
Branch
These are two great local trails for people that
don’t mind a little climbing. Both begin
with a 3 mile climb and level out to ride along
a ridge. Buckeye Branch then provides an awesome
downhill that makes the ride worth it. Coweeta
lab rolls along a little farther on its course
providing 2 or 3 downhill runs to get you going.
Both routes offer spectacular views and a bond
with the “natural beauty” of Franklin.
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Visitor Information 
