Franklin · North Carolina
14 acres of rolling hills, a year-round creek, and the kind of quiet that changes your pace. We share it with a handful of guests each year who want something real.
The Estate
The Hilltop Estate sits on 14 acres of rolling pastureland in the mountains above Franklin, North Carolina. You'll wake up to deer grazing below the deck and Blue Ridge ridgelines in every direction.
What makes this property truly magical is its rare combination: dense wooded forest on one side, and wide-open, rolling pastureland that begs to be explored on the other. It feels like two different worlds on the same 14 acres — and both are yours.
Start your morning with coffee on the deck or in the wraparound breakfast nook, watching mist rise off the ridgelines and horses graze in the adjacent pasture. That first hour sets the tone for the whole trip.
You'll feel genuinely secluded here — the kind of private that's hard to find. And yet downtown Franklin is just 10 minutes down the road, making this the ideal home base for exploring all of Western North Carolina. Highlands, the Smokies, Asheville, the Nantahala — all within easy reach.
No white-knuckle mountain roads to get here. No 4x4 required. Just a peaceful drive that opens up to one of the best hilltop views in Western North Carolina.
This is our family's home, and we selectively share it with a handful of guests each year who are looking for what we believe is the perfect combination: an idyllic setting, an extraordinary home, and proximity to incredible adventure.
Inside the Estate
Three levels of open, lived-in spaces — a great room with cathedral ceilings, a chef's kitchen for gathering around, and the kind of light that makes you stay at the table longer than you planned.
Cathedral ceilings, remote-controlled stone fireplace, and golden hour light
Open layout with island seating
Wraparound windows with mountain views — and horses in the adjacent pasture
Lower level with its own deck access
Live-edge Spalted Pecan river table
The Experience
Three levels of living space mean your group can spread out or come together. The spaces are designed for real life — not staged for photos.
We built it oversized on purpose. Wood is provided. Some of our best family conversations happen right here, with mountains fading to silhouette as the fire settles in.
A year-round stream runs through the property with a footbridge crossing. Walk the 14 acres of meadows and trails — the sound of the water alone is worth the visit.
The lower level has its own living area with a sectional, TV, and direct deck access. Kids downstairs, adults upstairs — or everyone together. Your choice.
Rest & Recharge
Every bedroom features handcrafted log furniture. Three bedrooms upstairs and a bunk room on the lower level — there's room for everyone to find their own corner of quiet.
Upper Level
King Bed · Arched Window · Log Armoire · Private Bath
The loft-level master overlooks the great room through a stunning arched window. Cedar armoire, vaulted wood ceiling, and views of the rolling hillside from your pillow.
Upper Level
Queen Bed · Log Frame · Upper Level
A quiet upper-level retreat with handcrafted log bed frame and the privacy of the upstairs wing alongside the master suite and full bedroom.
Upper Level
Full Bed · Log Frame · Upper Level
A cozy upper-level bedroom with the same handcrafted log furniture found throughout the estate. Tucked alongside the master suite with views of the surrounding hillside.
Lower Level
Two Log Bunk Beds · Sleeps 4 · Lower Level Lounge Access
Kids' favorite. Two sets of handcrafted log bunk beds with steps right out to the lower living area and deck. Their own level of the house to take over.
Upper Level
Upper Level · Private to Master Suite
A private en-suite bathroom exclusive to the master suite, with direct access from the master bedroom. Thoughtfully appointed to match the character of the estate.
Upper Level
Upper Level · Full Bath
Full bathroom on the upper level, shared between the queen bedroom and full bedroom.
Lower Level
Lower Level · Full Bath
Full bathroom on the lower level serving the bunk room. Accessible right off the lower lounge area.
Designed for Gathering
The live-edge river table is the heart of the estate. Hand-crafted from Spalted Pecan Wood with a resin river running through its center, it comfortably seats the whole group beneath a striking hand-crafted chandelier designed to complement the table.
Conversations stretch into the evening here. Mountain views fade slowly into starlight through the windows. No one's in a hurry to leave this table.
Gallery
Explore the Area
Dozens of waterfalls and world-class trails right in your backyard.
Dry Falls · Bridal Veil Falls · Glen Falls · Whiteside Mountain · Wayah Bald · Black Balsam Knob · Bartram Trail · Appalachian Trail
Protected wilderness and iconic landscapes surround the estate.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Nantahala National Forest · Gorges State Park · Panthertown Valley · Blue Ridge Parkway
From lazy river floats to whitewater rapids.
Nantahala River rafting & kayaking · Little Tennessee River fishing & tubing · Fontana Lake boating
An upscale mountain town just 30 minutes away.
Championship golf · Day spas · Fine dining · Boutique shopping · The Bascom art center
More ways to explore the mountains beyond the trails.
Mountain biking · ATV tours · Zip lining · Gem mining · Horseback riding · Alpaca ranch visits
The mountains are magical in every season.
Skiing · Snow tubing · Sledding · Winter hiking · Fireside evenings at the estate
Local vineyards tucked into the mountain valleys.
Slanted Window Wines (Franklin) · Eagle Fork Vineyards (Hayesville) · Deep Creek Winery (Bryson City) · B&C Winery (Maggie Valley)
Fresh mountain produce from people who know this land.
Deal Family Farm (Highlands Rd) · Macon County Farmers Market · Franklin Tailgate Market · Seasonal roadside fruit stands
Each one has its own personality — and none is more than an hour away.
20 min
Historic village with artisan shops, the Jarrett House, and the scenic railway
45 min
Gateway to the Smokies — river outfitters, breweries, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
50 min
Rich cultural heritage, Harrah's Casino, and the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
40 min
Charming Georgia mountain town with craft dining, Tallulah Gorge, and a vibrant downtown
30 min
Upscale retreat — fine dining, boutique shopping, waterfalls, and championship golf
55 min
Artsy mountain town with a walkable Main Street, galleries, and great restaurants
1 hr 20 min
World-class food scene, 50+ craft breweries, the Biltmore Estate, and vibrant arts culture
AVL
1h 15m
GSP
1h 45m
TYS
2h 15m
ATL
2.5 – 3 hrs
Guest Resource
We put together a detailed guide to help you plan day trips, find the best local experiences, and make the most of your time in the mountains. From waterfall drives to the best restaurants — it's all in here.
Download the Guest Guide"From sunrise coffee to sunset wine, every moment here feels intentional. This isn't a place you visit — it's a place you return to."The Hilltop Estate
The Location
Franklin is just 10 minutes away — and it's one of the best home bases in all of Western North Carolina. As the Macon County seat, it has real infrastructure: great restaurants, breweries, grocery stores, and everyday conveniences, without feeling overrun by tourism.
From here, everything is within reach. Highlands and its waterfall drives in 30 minutes. The Nantahala for rafting and kayaking in under an hour. Cherokee and the Smokies in 45 minutes. Asheville for a full day trip. You can pivot between active adventure, scenic drives, upscale dining, and pure relaxation — often in the same day.
10 minutes. Local dining, breweries, shops, and live music.
Dozens within 30 minutes. Dry Falls, Bridal Veil, and more along the Waterfall Byway.
30 minutes to America's most scenic drive through the Appalachian Highlands.
45 minutes to the most visited national park in the country.
The Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, and Nantahala Gorge are all nearby.
No steep mountain roads. No 4x4 needed. A peaceful drive to the front door.
High-speed fiber throughout the estate — work remotely or stream seamlessly when you need to.
Dining Guide
One of the best things about this part of North Carolina is the food. These are the spots we go to ourselves — from casual Franklin favorites to upscale Highlands dining to hidden gems across the border in Georgia.
Local favorites, just down the road
Upscale dining in a mountain setting
Riverside charm and small-town warmth
Historic flavors with mountain heritage
The Location Advantage
Most places in Western North Carolina make you choose — adventure or comfort, scenic or convenient, quiet or connected. Franklin doesn't. Ten minutes from your front door, it's a charming mountain town with real infrastructure, a strong dining scene, and access to everything WNC has to offer — all without the crowds of bigger tourist hubs.
Chase waterfalls in the Cullasaja Gorge. Lunch in Highlands. Raft the Nantahala. Day-trip to Asheville. Most places give you one of these easily — Franklin gives you all of them in a single stay.
Remote cabins are beautiful but inconvenient. Tourist hubs are crowded and expensive. Franklin hits the rare balance: genuine mountain quiet with real infrastructure — groceries, restaurants, and everyday conveniences ten minutes away.
Bryson City for adventure and the railroad. Cherokee for culture and the casino. Waynesville for arts and dining. Highlands for refinement and waterfalls. Each has its own personality — all within an hour.
Raft a river in the morning. Sit by a lake in the afternoon. Relax at the estate in the evening. You don't have to choose your trip style — you can shift it daily based on the mood of the group.
Most mountain trips break down at dinner. Franklin doesn't. Elevated dining at Culture 828, wine at the Slanted Window, sushi at Sakura, great coffee, fresh bagels, and a downtown that makes evenings feel like part of the trip.
Asheville (1h15), Greenville (1h45), Knoxville (2h15), Atlanta (2.5–3h). You're not dependent on one airport — you get pricing options, routing flexibility, and backup plans built in.
In a region as diverse as Western North Carolina, range is everything — and Franklin gives you all of it.
Escape to the Mountains
We keep availability limited and rates reflect the experience. If you're looking for something real — a home, not a hotel — we'd love to host you.
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