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Franklin Trailhead, Palmetto Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Running trail in Newberry, South Carolina · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Franklin Trailhead, Palmetto Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Franklin Trailhead, Palmetto Trail
Didn't know what to expect going here, but this is moderately challenging mountain bike trails. I'd gone to the peak section previously and expected something similar but this was much different. Super fun if you have a mountain bike, beware if you don't. About a mile and a half in on a rougher gravel road to the lot.
It's quiet, out of the way, and there isn't much room to park. That being said the gravel road leading to the parking area was more well maintained than many paved roads in this state. I was impressed with that, otherwise, it's a trailhead parking lot.
A nice spot for a quiet hike. I recommend an out and back hike unless you plan on using multiple vehicles. There is a nice bridge over a small creek about a quarter mile in. Maybe 2 miles in there are nice overlooks into a small "valley".
Great place to start or finish the enoree part of the palmetto trail. Took me 3 days to hike from sadelia campground to here beautiful path but needs some qork
Trail conditions & character
“That being said the gravel road leading to the parking area was more well maintained than many paved roads in this state.”
“That being said the gravel road leading to the parking area was more well maintained than many paved roads in this state.”
Plan your run at Franklin Trailhead, Palmetto Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitepalmettoconservation.org
- Phone+1 803-276-4810
Running trails near Newberry
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lynch's Woods Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 163 reviews
This wooded nature preserve featuring a creek, miles of walking and cycling tracks and a 4-mile gravel road that circles the perimeter.
Palmetto Trailhead Lynch's Woods passage
4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
Peak To Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 58 reviews
Pretty trail for walking, biking, camping and running.