It’s that time of year again, folks. The trees are exploding in vibrant shades of green, flowers are blooming, and the relentless pollen of Middle Tennessee is once again assaulting our sinuses. Okay, so the last one isn’t nearly as fun as the others, but we still love getting out in the beauty of Middle Tennessee nonetheless! If you don’t have a ton of time, we’ve got the perfect options for you to get on a short hike and still experience the natural beauty that’s all around us. Here are some of the best hikes in Nashville for coming lovely days:
- Percy Warner Park, Mossy Ridge Trail
Michael Hicks - Flickr This Nashville favorite is located in Edwin Warner Park, a beautiful spot just outside of the city in Belle Meade. The entire trail is a 5-mile loop, but there are plenty of spurs and out-and-back opportunities if you want to make it quicker. 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
- Radnor Lake, Lake Trail
Michael Hicks - Flickr Radnor Lake State Park is one of Nashville’s favorite oases, an idyllic setting right in the middle of the city. The Lake Trail loops around the water with access points on both sides of the lake, making a beautiful and easy 2+ mile loop. Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
- Narrows of the Harpeth, Hidden Lake Double Loop
Elizabeth Ruff - AllTrails The Narrows of the Harpeth are known for their great kayaking and massive rock bluffs overlooking the water, but there’s a lesser-known trail in the park that leads to a secluded and forested lake. It’s just over a mile out to the lake, making this a great short hike. Narrows of the Harpeth Road, Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Tennessee 37082, USA
- Deerwood Arboretum
City of Brentwood, Tennessee - Facebook The Deerwood Arboretum is one of Nashville’s most overlooked hiking opportunities. The Brentwood park has a few paved trails that are short but are the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy nature, even on a quick lunch break. Deerwood Arboretum, 320 Deerwood Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027, USA
- Montgomery Bell State Park, Jim Bailey Nature Trail
Mark Spangler - Flickr Located about 45 minutes west of downtown Nashville, Montgomery Bell has all kinds of options for outdoor enthusiasts. From short 1-mile trails like the Jim Bailey Nature Trail to long overnight camping trails, this park highlights everything beautiful about Middle Tennessee. Jim Bailey Nature Trail Green, Jim Bailey Nature Trl Grn, Tennessee 37029, USA
- Long Hunter State Park, Couchville Lake Loop Trail
Rain0975 - Flickr Long Hunter State Park sits right on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, but it feels like such a tranquil retreat from the city. The Couchville Lake Loop Trail is a short loop to the smaller lake, but the nicest part is that it’s paved. There are also long trails at the park that hug the shores of Percy Priest, offering some incredible views. Couchville Lake Trail, Nashville, TN 37076, USA
- Bledsoe Creek State Park, Shoreline Trail
Michael Hicks - Flickr Just a short drive north of the city to Gallatin will take you to Bledsoe Creek State Park, one of the most overlooked in the area. The park has beautiful lakefront views, including the Shoreline Trail that hugs the water for over a mile. Bledsoe Creek, Tennessee 37066, USA
If you’re looking for outdoor opportunities closer to the city, check out this historic bridge downtown with a fascinating history.
Michael Hicks - Flickr
This Nashville favorite is located in Edwin Warner Park, a beautiful spot just outside of the city in Belle Meade. The entire trail is a 5-mile loop, but there are plenty of spurs and out-and-back opportunities if you want to make it quicker.
50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
Radnor Lake State Park is one of Nashville’s favorite oases, an idyllic setting right in the middle of the city. The Lake Trail loops around the water with access points on both sides of the lake, making a beautiful and easy 2+ mile loop.
Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
Elizabeth Ruff - AllTrails
The Narrows of the Harpeth are known for their great kayaking and massive rock bluffs overlooking the water, but there’s a lesser-known trail in the park that leads to a secluded and forested lake. It’s just over a mile out to the lake, making this a great short hike.
Narrows of the Harpeth Road, Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Tennessee 37082, USA
City of Brentwood, Tennessee - Facebook
The Deerwood Arboretum is one of Nashville’s most overlooked hiking opportunities. The Brentwood park has a few paved trails that are short but are the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy nature, even on a quick lunch break.
Deerwood Arboretum, 320 Deerwood Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027, USA
Mark Spangler - Flickr
Located about 45 minutes west of downtown Nashville, Montgomery Bell has all kinds of options for outdoor enthusiasts. From short 1-mile trails like the Jim Bailey Nature Trail to long overnight camping trails, this park highlights everything beautiful about Middle Tennessee.
Jim Bailey Nature Trail Green, Jim Bailey Nature Trl Grn, Tennessee 37029, USA
Rain0975 - Flickr
Long Hunter State Park sits right on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, but it feels like such a tranquil retreat from the city. The Couchville Lake Loop Trail is a short loop to the smaller lake, but the nicest part is that it’s paved. There are also long trails at the park that hug the shores of Percy Priest, offering some incredible views.
Couchville Lake Trail, Nashville, TN 37076, USA
Just a short drive north of the city to Gallatin will take you to Bledsoe Creek State Park, one of the most overlooked in the area. The park has beautiful lakefront views, including the Shoreline Trail that hugs the water for over a mile.
Bledsoe Creek, Tennessee 37066, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Nashville April 25, 2022 Tori Jane Where are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Nashville? Nashville is lovely, and so are its many hiking trails! Though some hikes in and around Nashville can be pretty challenging, there are plenty of others easy enough to bring the kids along. Among our favorite short and sweet kid-friendly hikes in Nashville is the Hidden Lake Double Loop at Harpeth River State Park, which features a gorgeous little lake and goes for 1.9 easy-going miles. Then, there’s the Stones River Greenway of Nashville Trail (what a mouthful), which can be found at the Hermitage Public Use Area and extends 5.7 miles. Though it’s a little longer, it’s a boardwalk trail and quite easy. It’s scenic, too, with some excellent river views. We also love the Anderson Road Fitness Trail, which can be found at Anderson Road Metropolitan Park and extends one and a half miles. It features some great lake views that the kids (and you!) are sure to adore. What are some wonderful scenic hikes around Nashville? Lovers of the great outdoors and enchantingly scenic landscapes will fall in love with Nashville fairly quickly, and for obvious reasons. We’re pretty sure every hike in or around Nashville is a scenic hike in or around Nashville, though we do have a few important favorites. Head to Cummins Falls State Park and do the hikes there, where you’ll encounter stunning greenery, otherworldly waterfalls, and refreshing swimming holes. Do the Montgomery Bell Trail, which will lead you past two lakes, three overnight shelters, and plenty or recreation opportunities galore. The Blue Hole Trail is unforgettable; find it at Rock Island State Park and enjoy the stunning waterfalls and fairy-tale scenery (which, admittedly, Tennessee is pretty good at). Finally, embark upon the epic Natchez Trace Parkway and explore Jackson Falls, which is a steep – but paved – path all the way down. It’s coming back up that’s the hard part!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Nashville
April 25, 2022
Tori Jane
Where are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Nashville? Nashville is lovely, and so are its many hiking trails! Though some hikes in and around Nashville can be pretty challenging, there are plenty of others easy enough to bring the kids along. Among our favorite short and sweet kid-friendly hikes in Nashville is the Hidden Lake Double Loop at Harpeth River State Park, which features a gorgeous little lake and goes for 1.9 easy-going miles. Then, there’s the Stones River Greenway of Nashville Trail (what a mouthful), which can be found at the Hermitage Public Use Area and extends 5.7 miles. Though it’s a little longer, it’s a boardwalk trail and quite easy. It’s scenic, too, with some excellent river views. We also love the Anderson Road Fitness Trail, which can be found at Anderson Road Metropolitan Park and extends one and a half miles. It features some great lake views that the kids (and you!) are sure to adore. What are some wonderful scenic hikes around Nashville? Lovers of the great outdoors and enchantingly scenic landscapes will fall in love with Nashville fairly quickly, and for obvious reasons. We’re pretty sure every hike in or around Nashville is a scenic hike in or around Nashville, though we do have a few important favorites. Head to Cummins Falls State Park and do the hikes there, where you’ll encounter stunning greenery, otherworldly waterfalls, and refreshing swimming holes. Do the Montgomery Bell Trail, which will lead you past two lakes, three overnight shelters, and plenty or recreation opportunities galore. The Blue Hole Trail is unforgettable; find it at Rock Island State Park and enjoy the stunning waterfalls and fairy-tale scenery (which, admittedly, Tennessee is pretty good at). Finally, embark upon the epic Natchez Trace Parkway and explore Jackson Falls, which is a steep – but paved – path all the way down. It’s coming back up that’s the hard part!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Nashville is lovely, and so are its many hiking trails! Though some hikes in and around Nashville can be pretty challenging, there are plenty of others easy enough to bring the kids along. Among our favorite short and sweet kid-friendly hikes in Nashville is the Hidden Lake Double Loop at Harpeth River State Park, which features a gorgeous little lake and goes for 1.9 easy-going miles. Then, there’s the Stones River Greenway of Nashville Trail (what a mouthful), which can be found at the Hermitage Public Use Area and extends 5.7 miles. Though it’s a little longer, it’s a boardwalk trail and quite easy. It’s scenic, too, with some excellent river views. We also love the Anderson Road Fitness Trail, which can be found at Anderson Road Metropolitan Park and extends one and a half miles. It features some great lake views that the kids (and you!) are sure to adore.
What are some wonderful scenic hikes around Nashville?
Lovers of the great outdoors and enchantingly scenic landscapes will fall in love with Nashville fairly quickly, and for obvious reasons. We’re pretty sure every hike in or around Nashville is a scenic hike in or around Nashville, though we do have a few important favorites. Head to Cummins Falls State Park and do the hikes there, where you’ll encounter stunning greenery, otherworldly waterfalls, and refreshing swimming holes. Do the Montgomery Bell Trail, which will lead you past two lakes, three overnight shelters, and plenty or recreation opportunities galore. The Blue Hole Trail is unforgettable; find it at Rock Island State Park and enjoy the stunning waterfalls and fairy-tale scenery (which, admittedly, Tennessee is pretty good at). Finally, embark upon the epic Natchez Trace Parkway and explore Jackson Falls, which is a steep – but paved – path all the way down. It’s coming back up that’s the hard part!
