Here’s the thing: hiking is fun. It’s a neat way to get out in the great outdoors, a way to experience Tennessee the way it is, and always will be (hopefully). No matter how fun it is, there’s always the question – how long do you actually want to hike? We raise our hand at the one to the two-hour mark, so we found 11 hikes that fall under three miles that are perfect for a Saturday morning. Without further ado, here are some of the best hikes in Tennessee that are less than three miles.
- Henry Hollow Loop - 2 miles
TN State Parks - Montgomery Bell First up on our list of some of the best hikes in Tennessee is the Henry Hollow Loop. At a little over two miles, this lightly trafficked trail isn’t too far from tiny little Joelton, Tennessee. It’s recommended that you use the kid-friendly trail from March to November, when it is safest and at its peak. This Beaman Park hike is considered moderate and runs in a loop. When it comes to short and sweet trails near Nashville, this hike is a must. Henry Hollow Loop Trail, Nashville, TN, USA
- Azalea Springs Day Loop - 2.5 miles
Bill Automata - Flickr Located in Big Hill Pond State Park, this moderate hike is great for day use and for those who are looking to bring along their pup. It’s free to hike, and you can even pay a light camping fee if you’d rather use one of their overnight trails. This short but fun hiking trail in Tennessee is one you’ll love returning to time and time again. Azalea Springs, 2010 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068, USA
- Grundy Day Loop Trail - 3 miles
Stanislav Vitebskiy - Flickr At only three miles, this fairly short day loop is lightly trafficked and even features a waterfall - perfect. Take a nature trip or even find yourself birding, because the loop is great for all sorts of outdoor activities. For more information about this trail, you can check out the AllTrails listing. Day Loop Trail Orange, Nashville, TN 37076, USA
- Radnor Lake South Lake Trail - 2.5 miles
Michael Hicks - Flickr Radnor Lake is located in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Brentwood, and its day use trail is fairly widely trafficked but great for a few moments of quiet in the rush of a work week. Great for kids, it can even work as a last minute date spot. Learn more about what makes Radnor Lake in Tennessee such an excellent hiking destination. Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
- Laurel Falls - 2.6 miles
Michael Hicks - Flickr The nicest thing about the Laurel Falls trail? It’s easy. And it leads you to a waterfall. You’ll enjoy some beautiful views of the nearby hills, and marvel at rock formations along the way. There’s a lot to love about this beautiful and easy trail in Tennessee. Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls Trail, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
- Red Trail - 3 miles
Marcella Vivrette Smith Park - Meetup A fairly difficult trail in and of itself, the lesser known Red Trail in Marcella Vivrette Smith Park will lead to straight to Enid’s Eyrie. Learn more about this Tennessee hiking trail with a gorgeous overlook. Mossy Ridge Trail, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
- Old Stone Fort Loop Trail - 2.9 miles
TN State Parks - All Trails There are quite a few folks who choose to use the almost three mile Manchester, Tennessee loop for trail running as opposed to a low key hike. Heavily trafficked and great for dogs, Old Stone Fort State Park has a gem. It’s perfect for a Tennessee day hike. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, 732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester, TN 37355, USA
- Bearwaller Gap - Pick your own!
TN State Parks - Alltrails Bearwaller Gap is an out and back kind of hike, so you can extend your jaunt into the wilderness to over eight miles, or you can turn back at the 1.5-mile point and make a three-mile loop. It just depends on how you’re feeling that day, but we appreciate the option! Located near Carthage right on the Cumberland River, you’ll only want to take this trail if you have the endurance of an experienced hiker. Not for the littles, you know. Another appeal of this trail is that it’s a hiking trail close to Nashville. Bearwaller Gap Trail - Blue, Tennessee 37030, USA
- Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail - 1.9
TN State Parks - Alltrails Great for all skill levels, Cheeks Bend is open year-round and gives you an unobstructed view of the river out in Columbia, Tennessee. Lightly trafficked and tucked neatly away in the wilderness, it’s great when you’re looking to get away from it all - but only for a little while. Learn more about this underrated hiking trail near Nashville. Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail, Columbia, TN 38401, USA
How many of the best hikes in Tennessee under 3 miles have you crossed off your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
TN State Parks - Montgomery Bell
First up on our list of some of the best hikes in Tennessee is the Henry Hollow Loop. At a little over two miles, this lightly trafficked trail isn’t too far from tiny little Joelton, Tennessee. It’s recommended that you use the kid-friendly trail from March to November, when it is safest and at its peak. This Beaman Park hike is considered moderate and runs in a loop. When it comes to short and sweet trails near Nashville, this hike is a must.
Henry Hollow Loop Trail, Nashville, TN, USA
Bill Automata - Flickr
Located in Big Hill Pond State Park, this moderate hike is great for day use and for those who are looking to bring along their pup. It’s free to hike, and you can even pay a light camping fee if you’d rather use one of their overnight trails. This short but fun hiking trail in Tennessee is one you’ll love returning to time and time again.
Azalea Springs, 2010 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068, USA
Stanislav Vitebskiy - Flickr
At only three miles, this fairly short day loop is lightly trafficked and even features a waterfall - perfect. Take a nature trip or even find yourself birding, because the loop is great for all sorts of outdoor activities. For more information about this trail, you can check out the AllTrails listing.
Day Loop Trail Orange, Nashville, TN 37076, USA
Michael Hicks - Flickr
Radnor Lake is located in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Brentwood, and its day use trail is fairly widely trafficked but great for a few moments of quiet in the rush of a work week. Great for kids, it can even work as a last minute date spot. Learn more about what makes Radnor Lake in Tennessee such an excellent hiking destination.
Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
The nicest thing about the Laurel Falls trail? It’s easy. And it leads you to a waterfall. You’ll enjoy some beautiful views of the nearby hills, and marvel at rock formations along the way. There’s a lot to love about this beautiful and easy trail in Tennessee.
Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls Trail, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
Marcella Vivrette Smith Park - Meetup
A fairly difficult trail in and of itself, the lesser known Red Trail in Marcella Vivrette Smith Park will lead to straight to Enid’s Eyrie. Learn more about this Tennessee hiking trail with a gorgeous overlook.
Mossy Ridge Trail, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
TN State Parks - All Trails
There are quite a few folks who choose to use the almost three mile Manchester, Tennessee loop for trail running as opposed to a low key hike. Heavily trafficked and great for dogs, Old Stone Fort State Park has a gem. It’s perfect for a Tennessee day hike.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, 732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester, TN 37355, USA
TN State Parks - Alltrails
Bearwaller Gap is an out and back kind of hike, so you can extend your jaunt into the wilderness to over eight miles, or you can turn back at the 1.5-mile point and make a three-mile loop. It just depends on how you’re feeling that day, but we appreciate the option! Located near Carthage right on the Cumberland River, you’ll only want to take this trail if you have the endurance of an experienced hiker. Not for the littles, you know. Another appeal of this trail is that it’s a hiking trail close to Nashville.
Bearwaller Gap Trail - Blue, Tennessee 37030, USA
Great for all skill levels, Cheeks Bend is open year-round and gives you an unobstructed view of the river out in Columbia, Tennessee. Lightly trafficked and tucked neatly away in the wilderness, it’s great when you’re looking to get away from it all - but only for a little while. Learn more about this underrated hiking trail near Nashville.
Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail, Columbia, TN 38401, USA
PS: Did you know that this Gorgeous Lodge In Tennessee That’s So Secluded You Can Only Access It By Hike?
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Tennessee April 11, 2022 Beth C. Does Tennessee have any natural wonders? You bet! Tennessee is positively brimming with beautiful natural wonders, and they’re located throughout the state. At the top of our list of natural wonders in Tennessee is Ramsey Cascades in Gatlinburg. This breathtaking waterfall destination is gorgeous year-round. Plus, measuring over 100 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plus, if you look closely at the pool of water at the bottom, you’ll spot tons of salamanders. How incredible is that? Another must-see natural wonder in Tennessee is the Tennessee River Gorge in Chattanooga. It’s known as the Grand Canyon of Tennessee and definitely merits a spot on your bucket list. Some other natural wonders include Virgin Falls Pocket, the Cherohala Skyway, the Lost Sea, and Lookout Mountain. Learn more about Tennesse’s natural wonders. Does Tennessee have any kid-friendly trails? Fortunately, there are plenty of trails in Tennessee that are suitable for even the youngest hikers. One of our top recommendations would be Stone Door Trail, located in Grundy County at South Cumberland State Park. This 1.8-mile out-and-back trail offers a gorgeous experience in nature with fascinating rock formations and beauty to admire at every turn. When you reach the overlook, you’ll find a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. One thing’s for sure: you’ll want to bring a picnic lunch and your camera with you! Learn more about this kid-friendly hiking trail in Tennessee.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Tennessee
April 11, 2022
Beth C.
Does Tennessee have any natural wonders? You bet! Tennessee is positively brimming with beautiful natural wonders, and they’re located throughout the state. At the top of our list of natural wonders in Tennessee is Ramsey Cascades in Gatlinburg. This breathtaking waterfall destination is gorgeous year-round. Plus, measuring over 100 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plus, if you look closely at the pool of water at the bottom, you’ll spot tons of salamanders. How incredible is that? Another must-see natural wonder in Tennessee is the Tennessee River Gorge in Chattanooga. It’s known as the Grand Canyon of Tennessee and definitely merits a spot on your bucket list. Some other natural wonders include Virgin Falls Pocket, the Cherohala Skyway, the Lost Sea, and Lookout Mountain. Learn more about Tennesse’s natural wonders. Does Tennessee have any kid-friendly trails? Fortunately, there are plenty of trails in Tennessee that are suitable for even the youngest hikers. One of our top recommendations would be Stone Door Trail, located in Grundy County at South Cumberland State Park. This 1.8-mile out-and-back trail offers a gorgeous experience in nature with fascinating rock formations and beauty to admire at every turn. When you reach the overlook, you’ll find a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. One thing’s for sure: you’ll want to bring a picnic lunch and your camera with you! Learn more about this kid-friendly hiking trail in Tennessee.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
You bet! Tennessee is positively brimming with beautiful natural wonders, and they’re located throughout the state. At the top of our list of natural wonders in Tennessee is Ramsey Cascades in Gatlinburg. This breathtaking waterfall destination is gorgeous year-round. Plus, measuring over 100 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plus, if you look closely at the pool of water at the bottom, you’ll spot tons of salamanders. How incredible is that? Another must-see natural wonder in Tennessee is the Tennessee River Gorge in Chattanooga. It’s known as the Grand Canyon of Tennessee and definitely merits a spot on your bucket list. Some other natural wonders include Virgin Falls Pocket, the Cherohala Skyway, the Lost Sea, and Lookout Mountain. Learn more about Tennesse’s natural wonders.
Does Tennessee have any kid-friendly trails?
Fortunately, there are plenty of trails in Tennessee that are suitable for even the youngest hikers. One of our top recommendations would be Stone Door Trail, located in Grundy County at South Cumberland State Park. This 1.8-mile out-and-back trail offers a gorgeous experience in nature with fascinating rock formations and beauty to admire at every turn. When you reach the overlook, you’ll find a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. One thing’s for sure: you’ll want to bring a picnic lunch and your camera with you! Learn more about this kid-friendly hiking trail in Tennessee.
