When you think about Nashville, the first things that may spring to mind are likely to be live music, hot chicken, and cowboy boots. However, from our own personal experience, it is a terrific city for anyone who likes the outdoors.
The city of Nashville may be renowned across the globe as “Music City,” but to us, it is a place where we can easily access expansive woods, magnificent rock formations, and some of the coolest and most astonishing waterfall trails in the nation have to offer.
The greatest way to see the untamed, beautiful beauty that Tennessee has to offer is to go hiking in the area around Nashville. We put up this list of the top hikes in the Nashville area to assist you in planning your next spectacular outdoor trip! Take a final look.
Mossy Ridge Trail
The Warner Parks are among of Nashville’s most popular green areas, and the Mossy Ridge Trail is one of the greatest ways to see them.
Hikers may enjoy a mountainous, fairly strenuous climb through Nashville’s hills and through some lovely, distinctive mossy portions of the forest on this almost 5-mile round track.
Within the city borders, you’ll also discover an ancient furnace and varied terrain for a fun and unforgettable hiking experience.
One of the best hikes and generally the best hiking trails that you can try. It is a great hiking experience for sure.
Foster Falls
The Fiery Gizzard Grundy to Foster Falls trek in South Cumberland State Park is the trail we’d like to highlight. This challenging trek, which is 12.5 miles one way, is best done if you have many days to explore or transport back to your vehicle.
The Fiery Gizzard starts near the Grundy Forest Picnic Shelter in the Grundy Forest. Within a quarter-mile, you’ll come upon a big rock shelter beside a 500-year-old Hemlock tree. After that, you’ll come to Blue Hole Falls.
You’ll pass rock formations like Chimney Rock, a 20-foot spike, as you continue your journey. If you forget you’re in Tennessee, you’ll be able to climb house-sized rocks, explore caverns, and even locate an ancient moonshine still.
Little Gizzard Creek and Foster Falls mark the finish of the trek. These small waterfalls are great for viewing and hiking.
Long Hunter State Park
A moderate trail and one of the short trails from our list. The elevation gain is rising a little bit near the wooden bridges.
The Volunteer Trail at Long Hunter State Park is a prominent hiking trail system near Nashville. This leisure area, which is about half an hour from the city center, runs mostly along the coast of Percy Priest Lake, one of Nashville’s most popular waterways.
The Volunteer Trail has a longer version that many people hike overnight, but the Day Loop is a good option if you’re looking for something a little shorter. You won’t have to go far from the city to enjoy a pleasant stroll through the woods and along the lake.
Bryant Grove Trail
Bryant Grove Trail is a beautiful trek with magnificent lake views that is located in Long Hunter State Park, about a half-hour from Nashville’s downtown center. While many people come here to trek the Volunteer Trail, this is an excellent alternative.
You’ll travel through distinctive limestone glades, towering cedars, and perhaps see some deer as you walk around Couchville Lake.
The trail follows the shoreline of Percy Priest Lake for a short distance before turning around. Enjoy this gorgeous trek in Nashville that is lengthy but fairly level.
Alternatives include the Day loop trail and Hidden Lake Double Loop. Also, some of the more flat trails for easy hiking include the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail.
Burgess Falls Trail
This is without a doubt one of America’s most magnificent waterfalls. The Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes of Native Americans originally lived at Burgess Falls State Park.
The industry took over in the 19th century, and this picturesque landscape became a source of hydroelectric power for a neighboring town.
Now that the park has been preserved, it is a lovely place to visit. By following the Falling Water River through other, smaller waterfalls, you may see Burgess Falls, which is 135 feet tall. These falls are 20 feet, 30 feet, and 80 feet tall.
When you get to Burgess Falls, you’ll note that it wraps around the corner of a cliff, which sets it apart from the others. The water levels are amazing, and also an available parking lot is provided at the starting point.
Bells Bend Park
Bells Bend Park is about a quarter-hour drive west of downtown. This is a nice area for simple hiking in Nashville Tennessee.
Bells Bend Outdoor Center is a great place to start your experience. From there, continue the Loop Trail across wide grasslands and past a river.
For a longer hike, connect this loop to nearby trails, or just take a stroll amid the wildflowers.
Harpeth River State Park
The Narrows of the Harpeth Woods Trail route is one of the most beautiful lovely short treks around Nashville. This simple walk, which passes past spectacular rock formations, is located in its namesake state park and is excellent for hikers of all abilities (even kids!).
You’ll see why locals love this route as you stroll through the woods — the scenery is out of this world! You’ll witness one of Tennessee’s most remarkable natural sights towards the conclusion — a waterfall that cascades from a large hole in the rocks.
In only 1.1 miles, the Narrows of the Harpeth route will let you rediscover the beauty and wonder of nature. It’s also just 30 minutes from downtown Nashville, which is a great benefit!
Down River Trail
You’ve probably noticed that Nashville has a lot of beautiful waterfall hikes, and the Twin Falls and Down River Trail will take you to another one!
This route, which is located in Rock Island State Park, will take you along the river to two sets of breathtakingly spectacular waterfalls known as the Twin Falls. Hikers will enjoy easy to moderate terrain on their way to the final waterfall spectacle along the trail.
An excellent day trip with easy access for everyone. If the city limits your creativity, get out and enjoy this trail. Alternative here includes Welch’s point and Wooded Trails.
Fiery Gizzard Trail
One of the best things about hiking around Nashville is that you may discover some challenging paths, with the Fiery Gizzard Trail being the most difficult of them all. This 9.6-mile track is at the top of many lists of gorgeous walks in Tennessee, and for good reason: the landscape is breathtaking.
But don’t take this track lightly: traversing the approximately 10-miles of steep terrain and stream crossings, including one big one where a prior bridge washed away, demands a lot of patience and effort.
Advanced hikers who put in the effort will be rewarded with some of Tennessee’s most gorgeous vistas and views, as well as a lovely memory of a fantastic trek.
Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile recreational route that runs across three states, is roughly a half-hour drive from downtown Nashville. This enormous road retraces Native Americans’, European settlers’, troops’, and US Presidents’ footsteps.
Along the route, you may drive, cycle, or ride horses. The trail is also followed by a number of hikes. The track is mainly simple, while the length and navigation may be challenging. In the spring and summer, keep an eye out for ticks.
When you get to Jackson Falls, you may use the picnic area and take in the tranquil scenery around the flowing rivers.
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