Nashville, TN

Franklin: Greenway, Downtown, Fort, Parks, Harlinsdale Farm

Harlinsdale Farm. CC: Paula Tejo

There’s some excellent running in Franklin, a historic town located 20 miles south of Nashville. Franklin was a key site in the Civil War. Its downtown features attractive Victorian homes and fun galleries & shops. Here are the best places to run in Franklin.

Franklin Main Route. Run all or part of this route! Just 1/2 mile south of downtown is Pinkerton Park, where a loop of the walking trails is ~1 mile. Add by taking the trails to Fort Granger, an attractive loop around Civil War trenches with good views of the city (Note: 100 foot climb and a couple of boardwalks). Exit Pinkerton Park onto S Margin St., and then take 3rd Ave., which is lined with historic homes, to downtown Franklin. Continue north on 3rd Ave. for 0.3 miles and join the Franklin Greenway just off N Margin St. This pleasant paved path follows the Harpeth River for 1.2 miles, and then veers away from it for another 1 mile to the Franklin Recreation Complex, where you can do an 0.8 mile loop around its walking trail. Doing this full route would be ~ 8 miles.

The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. This is another worth-it spot to run in Franklin. This historic horse farm is now a 200-acre public park. It includes a terrific 5k soft track for running. It’s a very scenic run around rolling farmland. From downtown, it’s 0.8 miles to Harlinsdale using Franklin Rd. — it’s a busy road but there is a decent shoulder.  INFORMATION

Note:  Downtown Franklin is done up around Christmas, with pretty holiday lights!

 

Essentials
  • Full route is 8.5 miles. Can choose a section!
  • Mainly flat except 100 foot climb at Ft. Granger
  • Depends on route chosen
  • Parking downtown, at Pinkterton Park, Rec Complex, Harlinsdale Farm

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Essentials
  • Full route is 8.5 miles. Can choose a section!
  • Mainly flat except 100 foot climb at Ft. Granger
  • Depends on route chosen
  • Parking downtown, at Pinkterton Park, Rec Complex, Harlinsdale Farm