NROCKS Outdoor Adventures — Hotel in Franklin

Unforgettable, amazing experience. Our group of 7 with no climbing experience did a morning Via Ferrata excursion with our group comprised of 2 lanky, fit older teen boys, 1 fit 40-something, 3 50-somethings, and 1 60-something. Our low-key guide Kevin handled our diverse group with superhuman levels of zen calmness, encouragement, and aplomb.

Kevin gave us a crystal-clear safety briefing detailing the Via Ferrata system: basically you climb with 2 short safety lines always connecting your harness to one of a series of steel cables that mark the entire course, so, while you are pretty high up and sometimes traversing sheer cliff faces, you are always attached to a thick steel cable and are never in any danger of falling.

Our 2 fearless teen boys went first in our group up the course. My one nephew has been interested in climbing for awhile and Kevin told him an extra challenge is to try to do as much of the course using as few of the steel rungs as possible - basically real rock climbing. Kevin would occasionally give him tips and describe some techniques. My nephew was in heaven - he got his first rock climbing lesson. He did most of course without using the steel rungs (but still always safely hooked to one of the steel cables) and has plans to join a rock-climbing gym in our hometown (which Kevin recommended).

For us older adults, we stuck to using the steel rungs for the climbing parts of the course. For most people, most of the course is scenic and fun and a decent aerobic workout with some upper-body training thrown in. The course is varied: you will spend time on narrow paths (going up, down, and level) and also going up or along cliff faces and rocky ledges usually with solid steel ladder-like rungs embedded in the rock for hand and foot placement. There were a few places where most of us were close to the edge or a bit outside of our comfort zones. Kevin's calm demenaor and specific instructions got all of us through those sections safely and ready to continue the climb. My 50-something age sister was outside of her comfort zone for pretty much the entire climb. There are 2 "opt out" locations along the route where you can leave the course if you are really starting to feel uncomfortable and absolutely have to quit the course. At the first opt-out site, Kevin calmly talked to my sister about this opt-out option, and she decided to continue the climb and see how she felt at the second opt-out location. At the second opt-out location, after conferring with Kevin, she decided to finish the rest of the climb. Which she did.

Near the end of the course there is a totally optional sheer cliff climb that goes up to the top of a narrow rock fin with an amazing view. This totally optional section is pretty short but the most physically demanding part of the course. For me, there were a few places where I was supporting most of my weight with upper body strength. But again, this section is completely optional. The 2 members of our party who chose not to do this stayed at the base of the cliff for the 15 minutes or so it took the rest of us to go up and come down. We all then finished the course and got a ride down the mountain from NROCKS. We finished our day at NROCKS with a picnic lunch on the clean, spacious patio of their main building.

Days later we are still regaling everyone about our Via Ferrata adventure. We all feel like we faced a challenge and succeeded. Thanks...

I was really looking forward to my experience at NROCKS, but it turned out to be incredibly frustrating and disappointing — and I never even got to do the activity itself. The via ferrata was advertised as “moderate” difficulty, but the hike up to the starting point was extremely demanding and set at a pace I simply could not keep up with. I’m 5’1” and in good physical shape as a rower, but despite pushing myself as hard as I could, I reached my breaking point before even beginning the course. It was over 90 degrees the day of my tour, and between the intense physical exertion, the heat, and carrying two quarts of water, I started feeling dizzy and developed a pounding headache. I physically couldn’t continue — not because I was discouraged, but because I genuinely couldn’t breathe or safely push through. I take medication that makes me more sensitive to heat, which made the conditions even tougher. There was no effort to accommodate different paces; I was left behind twice, with no one adjusting or checking in. After having to bow out, I received no refund or any gesture of goodwill. To add insult to injury, the guide suggested I just drive to a scenic overlook—an activity requiring no exertion—which felt dismissive. When I asked if tours are ever canceled due to heat, the guide said “no”—never. He also shared that the day before, when it was similarly hot, someone suffered heat exhaustion and was vomiting during the second half of the activity. This is not just uncomfortable; it’s unsafe. I understand NROCKS is a business, but prioritizing profits over participant safety by never canceling tours in extreme heat is unacceptable. Many people likely pay for experiences they can’t safely complete, which is unfair and dangerous. Unless you are an experienced climber extremely comfortable with heat, heights, and sustained exertion, I strongly urge caution. NROCKS needs to seriously rethink how it communicates difficulty levels, manages group pacing, and prioritizes participant safety.

EdIT: since posting, they did refund my ticket cost, so I appreciate that. They offered their contact info for me to follow up with...

Updating my review because I visited again.

I originally did the Via Ferrata in 2019 and it was my first time ever doing it. If you're okay with heights and you're comfortable with your physical strength, you can do this. With that being said, your physical strength and endurance is huge on this tour. If you're not a hiker/ climber and don't like high ropes courses or zip lines, you won't like this. If you do like that stuff - DO THIS. Wear flexible shoes with good grip, have a backpack you can climb with, carry water, and wear layers depending on the time of year. I did this is in July and went through probably 4 bottles of water throughout the climb bc there are times you're resting on the mountain and the sun beats on you. Sunscreen. Water. Appropriate clothing. You're good to go. 2023 I came back for the full moon tour. I will say, it wasn't as cool as the daytime, but the experience overall was one I'm glad I did. The moon was fully covered until the very end, you won't see the moon until after your cross the bridge and get on the opposite side of the mountain. Thankfully, the moon peaked out right at the end, and it was awesome. Same needs- good shoes, backpack, clothing options, headlamp get one with the red light options I also wore glow sticks and that was fun. It rained that night and it was in the 60s, I still wore shorts and a t-shirt while climbing. It gets dark. If you're scared of the dark and/or have sensory issues in the dark, it won't be for you. I genuinely love NRocks, I've loved all their employees, and I'll recommend this your to everyone, it's 1000% worth the money. Just remember, this tour can take 2-3 hours, or take 6, it all depends on the group! See...