The Best Trails to Hike in and Around Nashville

Nashville and the surrounding area is perfectly situated for great hiking – the Cumberland River, all the many waterfalls, stunning State Parks and National Parks a little further afield. Our guide below covers some of the best hikes in Nashville and within driving distance for all experience levels.

We’ve divided our guide below into maps and routes for hiking in Nashville, hiking trails near Nashville, and waterfalls near Nashville. We’ve covered 18 of the best routes with easy to follow trail guides, maps you can download and alternative maps where possible to help get you out on the trail more easily.

This guide to the best hikes Nashville has to offer will keep you going for quite some time and many of the hiking trails we’ve gone through in detail below can be hiked throughout the year. So whatever kind of trail you’re looking for, read on to find your perfect hike.

nashville hiking
All lands featured in this article are within Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee) and S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) Native Lands.

Table of Contents

Best Hiking in Nashville Trail Locations Map

Use our map below to find the approximate starting points for the best hiking in Nashville. The numbers used on the map points relate to the numbers below so you can find the trailhead easily.

All of the routes we’ve listed below are easy to get to from Downtown Nashville, making these trails accessible to complete at any time of the year. Many of the trails listed below and in fact some of the best hiking Nashville offers are on greenways, which are a great way of getting a more urban fix of nature.

1. Radnor Lake Trail, Radnor Lake State Park

Difficulty: Easy – good paths with little elevation gain over a shorter distance.
Distance: 4.5km/2.7 mile loop
Elevation: 70m/229 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This hiking spot in Nashville can be hiked all year round.

All Trails Map Alternative: Radnor Lake Trail

Hiking in Nashville doesn’t get much better than this – and a lot of people agree as this trail is a pretty busy one, but we think it’s worth it. One of the things that’s great about a lot of Nashville hikes is that they involve water – be that lakes, rivers or waterfalls, and the stunning Radnor Lake is no exception to this.

The trail is pretty easy going, suitable for all ages and is one of the best hiking trails in Nashville if you’re looking for something suitable for a quick hike, when you don’t want to have to use too much energy or something for a beginner. The trail is also wheelchair accessible (but you may need all terrain tires depending on your equipment).

You get a lot for your effort on this trail as the views of the lake are really beautiful. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may want to consider waterproof hiking shoes as the trail can get pretty muddy in places – like a lot of Nashville hiking trails!

Likewise, at certain times of year, it’s worth keeping in mind that the parking (and trail) can get busy. Typically, on summer days and around fall when the colors start to change are the most challenging to find parking. So, try to go midweek if possible, or earlier on a weekend.

2. Shelby Bottoms Greenway Trail

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – well looked after and maintained main trails which are accessible to wheelchairs. The main path is paved with negligible ascent and descent. Though the longer distance makes it class as moderate.
Distance: 13.6km/8.4 mile loop
Elevation: 50m/164ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This is a great trail to hike all year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Shelby Bottoms Greenway Trail

The Shelby Bottoms Greenway Trail is one of the best natural resources for hiking trails in Nashville. There is so much to see on this trail from meadows filled with flowers (based on the time of year you visit) to birdlife all along the Cumberland River – there couldn’t be much more iconic hiking in Nashville, TN.

The great thing about this trail is that it is well maintained along the river and it’s one of the great hikes around Nashville that’s suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The path is pretty much flat and a smooth gravel which means you can focus on enjoying the scenery as you go.

If you want to stick to the wheelchair accessible route, we’d recommend turning around at the furthest point on the map marked out and retracing your steps. Our route takes you on your return journey more through the forest. Be mindful that as the temperatures drop and rain becomes more prominent that these trails can get very muddy, so waterproof hiking shoes are a must.

Related content: Depending on your location or what you have in mind, you may be interested to read our day hikes near Atlanta article. 

3. Mill Creek Greenway, Whitsett Park

Difficulty: Easy – a well maintained trail that has a great path and is wheelchair accessible. Very minimal ascent and descent.
Distance: 2.3km/1.4 mile part loop, part out and back
Elevation: 27m/88 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Suitable year round

This is a great, short trail and one of the varied places to hike in Nashville that’s accessible for all. A perfect getaway if you want a short break out in nature, this greenway trail takes you along Mill Creek for the first half and then returns on a trail just back from this, so it’s varied the whole way.

Hiking in Nashville, TN can get quite hot, and the shade cover isn’t that full on, so if you do this trail in summer, make sure to take lots of water. That said, this is a great place to come and relax and take life that little bit slower.

This trail is only roughly a 20 minute drive from downtown, which makes it one of the great hikes in Nashville, TN that you could easily reach for a quick walk or even after work on lighter nights. It’s the perfect little getaway.

4. Stones River Greenway

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – a longer distance trail but with limited ascent and descent on good paths.
Distance: 9.2km/ out and back
Elevation: 59m/ ascent and descent
When to do it: This Nashville hiking spot is good all year.
AllTrails map alternative: Stones River Greenway

As with many of the hiking trails around Nashville, greenways play a big part. This is a great way to see what nature around the city is all about and get some peace and serenity whilst you’re there.

Situated near Hermitage and on the edge of Stones River Regional Park is this great stretch along the river that takes you to where Stones River becomes much wider before ultimately becoming Long Hunter State Park. What’s better, this trail is a short drive from Downtown, making it one of the best hikes in Nashville that’s really accessible to get to.

At present, the trail is closed off a little while in, so you’re unable to get all the way to the end, but hopefully this will be opened up again – still worth heading out here though, the rest of the trail is beautiful – a highlight of hiking in Nashville Tennessee.

Best Hiking Around Nashville Trail Locations Map

We’ve covered hiking trails in Nashville Tennessee in the previous section, but, if you’re prepared to travel a little bit further out of town, there’s plenty more to see. Many of the hiking trails in the following section are within an hour of Downtown Nashville – though some are further afield.

All of these trails are suited for day hiking around Nashville, though there are some where camping is also an option if you want a multi-day adventure. Our map below covers the starting points of our hiking near Nashville routes.

1. Bledsoe Creek State Park Circular Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.2km/3.25mi circular route
Elevation: 125m/410ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year round
AllTrails map alternative: Bledsoe Creek

Bledsoe Creek State Park is located roughly 50 mins drive (60km/37mi) North East from Downtown Nashville. The park is open from 7am to 7pm from Mid-March to Mid- November and from 7am to 5pm from Mid-November to Mid-March.

At the time of writing, there is no entrance fee to the park. It is also possible to camp in the park’s developed campsites for a fee. The park offers several visitor amenities including shops, drinking water filling stations and EV charging points.

This small park contains several short trails that takes you through wooded areas and along the shores of Bledsoe Creek, which flows into Old Hickory Lake. Our route, which starts and finishes at the main parking lot combines sections of several of the shorter trails into one longer circular route around the park.

The great news is that if you want a longer or shorter hike, the various trails in the park crisscross, so it’s easy to lengthen or shorten the route as you wish. This trail stays relatively flat and as such, we’d consider it to be only moderately difficult – and certainly suited to families.

Large sections of this trail are well shaded by trees, making it a great choice for the warmer summer months. Bledsoe Creek State Park is a great place to view wildlife, so be sure to bring some binoculars or a long lens for your camera. It’s worth noting that whilst a large section of this route follows the shore of the lake, swimming is not permitted within the bounds of the State Park.

2. Harpeth River State Park – Narrows of the Harpeth

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.3km/1.4mi out and back
Elevation: 47m/154ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round – though the tunnel is better visited after heavy rain.
AllTrails map alternative: Harpeth River

Harpeth River State Park comprises several access points along the Harpeth River. The furthest access point from Nashville is located roughly 40mins drive (44km/27mi) West from Downtown Nashville. The park is mostly geared towards river access but it also includes a few pockets of land and there are some great hikes near Nashville here.

Harpeth River State Park is open from 7am to 7pm April to September; 8am to 4:30pm November to February and 8am to 6pm in October and March. The park is for day use only and overnight stays/camping are not permitted.

The route here starts at the Narrows of the Harpeth car park – the furthest access point from Nashville. The route first of all ascends to bluff overlook, which gives amazing views of the surrounding landscape. The climb up is short, but steep.

On the way back, the route takes a detour to visit the Montgomery Bell Tunnel – also called the Pattison Forge Tunnel – which is all that remains of an historic ironworks which once occupied the site. After periods of rainfall, a substantial waterfall emerges from the mouth of the tunnel.

It’s surely one of the most striking waterfalls near Nashville. Completed in 1819, the tunnel is historically important, but this history also has a very dark side as the tunnel was built using slave labor.

This relatively short route is good to hike year-round, and, as it’s relatively short, we’d suggest tackling this and the Hidden Lake route (see below) elsewhere in the Harpeth River State Park on the same day to get the most out of your visit.

harpeth river state park

3. Harpeth River State Park – Hidden Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3km/1.9mi circular
Elevation: 35m/115ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails map alternative: Hidden Lake

This is our second route in the Harpeth River State Park, and we think it’s a great route for hiking near Nashville Tennessee. The trailhead is located around 25mins drive (29km/18mi) west from Downtown Nashville.

Harpeth River State Park opens to visitors from 7am to 7pm April to September. From 8am to 4:30pm November to February and 8am to 6pm in October and March. Camping is not permitted in the park.

This trail is close enough to the city – and short enough to not take up a full day. However, we think that hiking this Hidden Lake route on the same day as the Narrows of the Harpeth route above is a great way to combine two relatively short hikes into a longer day of hiking and to get the most out a day visit to the Harpeth River State Park. 

This relatively short route starts at the parking lot and packs in plenty of impressive views! The route ascends through a wooded landscape to give fantastic panoramic views and also take in the small but spectacular Hidden Lake. This trial is a great place to see wildlife and its relative proximity for the city makes it one of the best places for hiking near Nashville.

4. Long Hunter State Park – Day Loop and Volunteer Trail

Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 19.7km/12.3 mile loop
Elevation: 65m/213ft ascent and descent
When to do it: Year-round
AllTrails map alternative: Day Loop and Volunteer Trail

Situated on the shores of J. Percy Priest Lake – a reservoir formed by damming the Stones River – the Long Hunter State Park is an area of lush wilderness, great for wildlife spotting and an excellent place for hiking near Nashville TN. The start of this trail is roughly 30mins drive (36km/22.5mi) from Downtown Nashville, so is easily doable as a day hike.

The park is open from 7am to 8pm during daylight saving hours and 7am to 5pm for the rest of the year. Camping is also possible in the park.

Our route starts at the Bakers Grove Trailhead parking lot and combines two recognized trails – the Day Loop and Volunteer Trail – into a single longer route. At 19.7km/12.3mi this is a long route, but it is also relatively flat.

If you wanted to break the route up, it has an undeveloped campsite at roughly the mid-point, so the hike could certainly be split over two days or you could leave out the Volunteer Trail part of the route (the ‘out and back’ section after the loop on the map), to shorten the route.

This route passes through varied landscapes including lake shore, wooded areas and rock terrain.  There’s also plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting – making this, in our opinion, one of the best hikes near Nashville, Tennessee. Whilst the length of the route makes it more challenging, as already mentioned, there’s plenty of opportunities to shorten the route if you want to.

5. Fall Creek Falls State Park – Fall Creek Lake

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some elevation gain but is gradual and over a longer distance. Pretty well maintained trails throughout, but can be slippery when wet.
Distance: 7.3km/4.53 mile loop
Elevation: Roughly 136m/446ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: All year round

If you’re looking for some truly incredible hikes near Nashville, we couldn’t recommend heading out to Fall Creek Falls State Park enough. The park is an absolute oasis in the Cumberland Plateau. Here you can expect to find cascades, waterfalls and lush woodland.

This hike takes you down to Fall Creek Lake, which is a serene place to spend some time. You may even consider making a day of it, relaxing by the lake and taking a picnic. This is also one of the best options for places to hike near Nashville during fall as the colors are stunning.

It’s also possible to rent kayaks whilst at the lake too, which makes this a great varied trail. At the end of this hike, we’ve also added a short section on to take you up to a waterfall. We think this is well worth the extra effort – hiking around Nashville doesn’t get much better than this.

One of the great things about this hiking near Nashville, TN spot is that there’s no entry fee to use the park for hiking. So, you can go and enjoy this gorgeous hiking trail and the serenity it offers for free.

fall creek falls state park

6. Bryant Grove Trail, Long Hunter State Park

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – a longer route with very little elevation gain makes this trail feel pretty much flat on good paths. 
Distance: 13.4km/8.3 miles out and back
Elevation: 48m/157ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: A great trail to hike all year round
AllTrails map alternative: Bryant Grove Trail

As with hike four above, this trail takes a further down section of Percy Priest Lake along the Bryant Grove Trail and is some of the best Nashville hiking on offer. The serenity of this trail is so gorgeous and varied.

You start this trail in the woodland – you may even get to spot deer if you’re lucky. You’ll then head out onto the shore of Percy Priest Lake where you’ll get some great views out over the water.

As with many of the hikes in Nashville, the trails can get a little muddy and waterlogged when there’s been heavy rain. So we’d recommend either waterproof hiking shoes or a good pair of waterproof hiking boots in these conditions.

The great thing about this Nashville hiking trail is that it’s an out and back so you could shorten it if you wish. But we’d recommend hiking the full trail if possible as the view out at the end is particularly lovely.

Long Hunter State Park is open from 7am to 8pm during daylight saving hours and 7am to 5pm for the rest of the year. Given how close it is to Downtown Nashville, this is a great trail to hike after work in summer too.

7. Montgomery Bell Trail - Montgomery Bell State Park

Difficulty: Moderate – longer distance trail with some elevation gain. There are some sections to navigate over rocks and you’ll need to keep an eye on tree roots on the trail. However, paths are generally in good condition. Trail can be shortened into a smaller loop if needed by heading up the side of Creek Hollow Trail past Creek Hollow Lake.
Distance: 17.2km/4.4 mile loop
Elevation: 276m/905ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This Nashville hike is good to do all year round.
AllTrails map alternative: Montgomery Bell Trail

This trail offers some of the best hiking near Nashville if you want to be on your own for the majority of it – this trail is generally pretty quiet, so solitude is usually possible here. Like with many hiking trails in Tennessee, you’ll be hiking through the forest for a good section with some cut offs to various lakes along the trail.

The first lake you come to is Lake Woodhaven, we’d then suggest heading on the Creek Hollow Lake. This is a great place to take some time and enjoy the serenity of this trail. If you wanted to make the trail shorter, you could continue on from the lake and make the loop about half the length from here back to the car park.

As with many of the hikes Nashville has to offer, you can expect to walk alongside the creek at points too. At various times through the year, this can be a little bit higher than others, but a waterproof hiking shoes will help with any short crossings you need to make.

Best Waterfall Hikes Near Nashville Trail Locations Map

Some of the best hiking around Nashville includes pretty magnificent waterfalls – it seems iconically Tennessee. If you head to these waterfalls in Nashville after rain, you’re likely in for a good show when the falls are raging, and their power is at its most obvious.

Our map below includes the approximate starting locations for the trails we’ve outlined below. All the numbers listed are in alignment with our numbering below to help make your hike planning easier.

1. Fall Creek Falls State Park – Waterfalls Trail including Creek Falls and Piney Falls

Difficulty: Moderate – longer distance with elevation gain. However, this trail is on good paths.
Distance: 8.8km/5.5 miles out and back
Elevation: 228m/748ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Great to do all year, but the falls look particularly beautiful after rainfall.

If you’re looking for one of the best waterfalls around Nashville, then this trail has them in plentiful amounts. There are ways to make this trail shorter, but we’ve put together this longer route that takes in a number of waterfalls including Fall Creek Falls and Piney Falls.

The beauty on this trail is mesmerizing, and it’s without a doubt one of the best places to hike in Tennessee. Not only is the park itself beautiful, but the fact there’s just waterfall after waterfall means this never gets boring.

This trail is particularly pretty during fall and after heavier rains when you can experience just how powerful some of these falls can be (waterfalls near Nashville always look better after rain). If you’re looking to get out of Nashville for some time in nature, this waterfall trail would be our number one pick.

What’s even better about Fall Creek Falls State Park is there are no fees to enter and hike – which means you can enjoy this beautiful trail for free. The park does offer a range of paid for activities too, such as kayaking on Fall Creek Lake which we’d really recommend too.

day hikes near nashville

2. Burgess Falls

Difficulty: Easy – short distance trail with minimal elevation gain.
Distance: 2.6km/1.6 mile loop
Elevation: 56km/183 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail is possible to hike all year.
AllTrails map alternative: Burgess Falls and Ridgetop

This easy Nashville waterfalls trail gives you a lot of reward for a short trail. Along the trail to Burgess Falls – the parks namesake, you get to hike past various other trails first (Little Falls and Middle Falls).

This is a beautiful wooded trail and if you head here just after rainfall, you can expect to see the falls at their best. These waterfalls near Nashville are also particularly beautiful in fall when all the colors start to change on the leaves, and it makes the perfect day out in nature.

Be mindful that there are tree roots at points on this trail and some rocks. At points, there are also stairs to access viewpoints, as with many of the waterfalls in Nashville, TN. However, these aren’t for long periods and this hike should be doable by most.

burgess falls

3. Jackson Falls

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – short distance but a steep climb up and down from the falls.
Distance: 0.7km/0.4 miles out and back
Elevation: 42m/137ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: All year – but be sure to go after rain as sometimes the falls can dry up.
AllTrails map alternative: Jackson Falls

This is a great little waterfall hike near Nashville that goes through the Duck River Valley. The trail around the falls is a great way to get some serenity and just enjoy the power of the water coming from Jackson Falls.

Like many waterfalls near Nashville, TN, this trail is much more worth the effort to get there and experience after rainfall. The falls can sometimes dry up, so keep that in mind whilst planning your time here.

Whilst this is a short and sweet waterfall hike which is a bit of a journey from Nashville, you could easily spend a good few hours here relaxing. It’s a great place to take a picnic and looks particularly beautiful and atmospheric on slightly gloomy or fall days.

jackson falls

Difficulty: Moderate – some steep elevation gain down to the base of the falls and back out, and sometimes the trail can feel a little less well maintained than some in the area.
Distance: 4.3km/2.7 mile loop
Elevation: Roughly 85m/278 ft. ascent and descent  
When to do it: All year – particularly beautiful in the fall. Though sometimes closures can be in effect due to weather. More on this below.
AllTrails map alternative: Cummins Falls Base Route

This trail is pretty rugged and steep, but it’s well worth doing as both going down to the base of the waterfall and seeing the view from above of the overlook is pretty fantastic. As with some of the best waterfalls near Nashville, it’s possible to swim and cool off in the largeish pool at the base. On hot sunny days, you won’t have this to yourself!

To visit the base of the waterfall, you will need a permit which you can buy at the park or in advance here. We would advise in the summer months to buy this in as much advance as you can, as these do go quickly.

This is one of the best and most iconic waterfalls Nashville has to offer. It’s absolutely beautiful, atmospheric and looks particularly good after rainfall (like all waterfalls in Nashville do). However, even when it’s been dry for a while, you should still see a truly amazing sight with this hike!

You’ll need to keep in mind that you will be crossing the stream/river at least once on this trail, so good waterproof hiking shoes or water shoes (these ones are great, not expensive and make things so much easier) that you can put on when needed are an absolute must!

5. Rainbow Falls

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging – significant ascent over a longer distance with rocky tree routes and uneven trail.
Distance: 9.8km/6 miles out and back
Elevation: 586m/1922 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail can be hiked all year round, but in the winter it can be icy and muddy, so check in advance and make sure you have the right equipment for your hike.
AllTrails map alternative: Rainbow Falls Trail

If you’ve been searching for ‘hikes near me with waterfalls’ then you’ve likely found Rainbow Falls mentioned. It’s a pretty iconic hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The trail is pretty full on and involves quite a lot of ascent to get to the waterfall, but it’s well worth it. Hikes near Nashville, Tennessee can quite often be relatively flat, so this is a great option if you fancy a more full on workout. It’s pretty much continually uphill the entire outbound journey.

It’s also particularly beautiful in winter if there is frost on the ground – though be sure to take something like micro spikes like these ones in this case for stability. There are no fees to enter the park, but you do need to display a parking tag at the trailhead. You can find out more about these and what’s needed for some of the hiking trails near Nashville, Tennessee here. 

6. Machine Falls Trail

Difficulty: Moderate – these falls near Nashville have some steep sections of uphill and some slippery surfaces when the ground is wet and muddy. Uneven trails in parts.
Distance: 4.7km/2.9 mile loop
Elevation: 66m/216ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: This trail is able to be hiked all year.
AllTrails map alternative: Machine Falls

This a great trail to go hike and being one of the closest waterfalls to Nashville, it can get pretty busy. This is more so for the parking, as there isn’t so much (it’s just across the road from the trail) so we’d advise you head there early if visiting at busy times like weekends.

That said, don’t let that put you off, as this trail to Machine Falls is pretty beautiful, and if you visit in fall, you’ll have even more to remember with the changing colors. In fact, this is one of the most picturesque Nashville, Tennessee waterfalls, hands down.

The trail takes you along the Machine Falls Loop trail first before meeting the Machine Falls waterfall. You’ll then head up to Adams Fall Trail to see Adams Fall before joining back up on the higher Machine Falls Loop Trail.

In summer, there’s a good chance that if rain has been limited, you’ll struggle to see much going on at the waterfall as this may be washed out. Like most Nashville hiking trails to waterfalls, it’s best to go when it’s been raining to see the most mesmerizing waterfall scenes.

machine falls

7. Ozone Falls and Black Mountain

Difficulty: Strenuous/difficult – a long distance trail with significant ascent and descent on uneven trails.
Distance: 24.1km/14.9 miles out and back
Elevation: 832m/2729 ft. ascent and descent
When to do it: Usually best between April and November though less water at the falls in summer.
AllTrails map alternative: Ozone Falls (this is the short trail alone to the falls)

The thing that’s great about this trail is that Ozone Falls itself is one of the more easy waterfall hikes near Nashville (and one well worth doing alone anyway). However, when you add on the hike to Black Mountain, the trail becomes really special.

If you’ve wondered, ‘are there mountains near Nashville?’ then this should answer things for you! Sitting near to Cumberland Mountain State Park, there are some pretty great views out if you do go all the way to the top.

When you start out on the trail, you’ll go via Ozone Falls first. You could go on your outbound journey, but we think it’s best to head there on the way back if you plan to do this full hike. You can take a dip in the water and this is really refreshing after the hike.

There are steps down to the water and these can be slippery when wet, but don’t let that put you off – this is one of the best hiking trails near Nashville. Be mindful of the rocks entering the rocky pool, these can be slippery when wet.

ozone falls

Essentials for Hiking in Nashville, TN

  1. A map – and know how to read it. If you are relying on a mapping app on your phone, be sure the map will work if you have no cellular signal and also that your phone has sufficient battery. Most phones will give better battery life if they are switched to airplane mode, and you can also carry a power bank if you know you’ll be on the trail for some time. Alternatively, you could use a hard-copy map and check out our guide to the best hiking compasses to navigate in a way that is not battery-reliant.
  2. Water! Water is an essential on every hike, but it can get very hot in Tennessee so carrying plenty of water is especially important. Nalgene bottles and hydration bladders are a great way to carry your water, but, if you want to keep it cold, you can also consider an insulated bottle like a Hydroflask.
  3. Sun cream. Many of the routes in our guide to the best hiking near Nashville include lengthy shaded sections, but none the less, sun exposure can still be a problem – even in colder months, so we’d always recommend using high-factor, waterproof sunblock.
  4. Insect repellant. Humid conditions are conducive to all manner of insects – some of which will, sadly, bite or sting. Mosquitoes can reproduce whenever the temperature is above 10C/50F so bug spray is definitely an item you’ll want to be carrying on all but the coldest of days.
  5. Day pack. A well-fitting pack is essential for packing all the gear on this list and can also make a big difference to your comfort on a hike – especially if you’re carrying heavy gear or hiking in warm, humid conditions. Our guide to the best hiking daypacks lists a range of options suited to all budgets and gear-carrying needs.
  6. Hiking shoes or boots. Well-fitting and broken-in footwear is vital to enjoying your hikes. Our guides to the best hiking shoes and best hiking boots feature our pick of the best products out there. If your trail involves stream crossings or if you’re likely to be hiking in heavy rain then our guide to the best waterproof hiking shoes is also well-worth checking out.
  7. Hiking poles. These not only help take the load off your knees when hiking, but also help you keep stable on rough or slippery terrain or when crossing streams. We’ve rounded-up the best trekking poles for hikers and have a comprehensive list of the top choices.
  8. You’ve got to keep your energy level up on hikes – especially so on longer ones – and it’s wise to eat before you feel hungry. Energy bars are good for shorter hikes, and you should also consider complete meals for longer hikes – our guide to the best freeze dried meals lists our top picks.
  9. Raincoat and pants. Rain is always a possibility in Tennessee and having appropriate rain gear ready in your pack is always advisable. Our guides to the best waterproof rain jackets and best waterproof rain pants feature our top product recommendations here.
  10. Tennessee is teaming with wildlife and the trails we’ve listed are a great way to experience it. We think that binoculars are a great addition to your day pack to help you get closer to the critters and also to help take in the details on some of the wide vistas you’ll encounter.

FAQs about Nashville Hiking Trails

From hiking trails in Nashville, TN to Nashville waterfalls, there’s a lot going on and a lot to explore. Whilst we’ve covered as much information as we think is needed to enjoy the hikes we’ve listed above, we’ve also put together a list of frequently asked questions about hiking near Nashville, Tennessee to help you be even better prepared.

What Are the Best Hiking Trails Near Nashville?

There are so many great hikes near Nashville, TN that it would be very difficult to decide. We think that the waterfall hiking Nashville offers is pretty next level.

So, if you’re going to do any, we’d advise you go for our waterfall hikes section. These can be a little further out, but they are well worth it, particularly Fall Creek Falls State Park. 

What are the best hiking trails for beginners?

There are some great places to hike in and around Nashville that are suitable for beginners. The great news is that quite a few of the trails are relatively flat, and over a short distance.

Some of the best trails for beginners are the Radnor Lake Trail, Mill Creek Greenway, Jackson Falls and the Bryant Grove Trail (though this is longer than the other trails listed here, so this depends on your fitness and energy levels).

river hikes nashville

Where can I find trails with scenic views?

Scenic views are such a personal thing – what one person classes as scenic can be very different to the next. We think all the hiking trails Nashville, TN has to offer are pretty scenic, but the waterfall trails are by far some of the best.

Fall Creek Falls State Park (hikes listed above) has a number of incredibly scenic trails and has some of the best hiking near Nashville. Though this can get very busy. There’s also Cummins Falls, which we’d say is up there too.

Are there any family-friendly hiking trails?

Nashville hiking includes plenty of family friendly trails. Look for our trails listed above that are over shorter distances with little to no elevation change. Some of the falls can be quite slippery and dangerous when wet, so this is also good to keep in mind for little ones.

Fall Creek Falls State Park offers plenty of varying length trails that we’re sure you’ll be able to find something family friendly there. Hikes in Nashville wise, we’d recommend checking out Mill Creek Greenway, listed above.

Are there mountains close to Nashville?

The most obvious mountains close to Nashville are the Great Smoky Mountains that sit near the border where Tennessee meets North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is pretty iconic with hikers, as the Appalachian Mountains run through here. We’ve listed a waterfall and mountain hike here above. Though, this area is quite a way from Nashville, so we’d recommend making a weekend of it.

What is the biggest waterfall near Nashville?

Fall Creek Falls is the biggest waterfall, and it’s a great place to visit in Fall Creek Falls State Park (we’ve covered a hiking trail here above). This sits a staggering 78m/256ft. drop to the ground beneath and is a pretty spectacular sight to see.

What are the top trails for birdwatching in the Nashville area?

If you’re into birdwatching, then your best plan is to head out to the Bryant Grove Trail, Shelby Bottoms and the Hidden Lake Trails, all listed above. However, Nashville is also an incredibly bird friendly city – so you may not have to look too far from home to see them!

Are dogs allowed on hiking trails?

Mostly, the answer to whether dogs are allowed on the hiking trails in Nashville is dependent on the park itself. Mostly, this is a no, but there are some trails that do allow dogs (though this is a very small amount).

We’d recommend that if you are thinking of bringing your dog with you to look at our AllTrails map alternative route, as most of these tell you whether you can or not. If this isn’t made clear, then your next best solution would be to call the park in question in advance.

What is the best time of year to hike around Nashville?

The best time of year to go hiking around Nashville depends on the trail you want to do. Most trails are generally ok throughout the year, but after consistent dry weather you can expect the waterfall trails to be dried up more. So, these are better visited after rainfall to see them at their best. Likewise, when it’s been very hot, it can be pretty unbearable out, so use your own judgement here.

Most other hiking is good through the year, some of the trails can get icy and muddy in winter, so just be prepared and know what the trail conditions are like before you travel. This is one of the great things about hikes near Nashville, you don’t need to worry too much about seasonality really.

Are there any trails that are wheelchair accessible?

There are a good number of trails that are wheelchair accessible, and some of them a short distance from downtown Nashville. In the difficultly section of each of our hikes, we have outlined helpful information as to what helps us arrive at our ratings, such as trail conditions. Where the trail is wheelchair accessible, we have done our best to list whether you are likely to need all terrain tires or not.

Is there a fee to access any of the hiking trails?

Where possible, we have outlined where fees are needed to do any of the Nashville hiking trails that we’ve listed above. This is sometimes related to parking and sometimes a day use fee. Our aim with all of our hiking guides is to make sure that you have all the information you need to get out on the trail.

That said, there are only really a handful of trails we’ve listed above where you actually need to pay a fee to access them. A lot of these Nashville hikes are free to do!

What are the most popular trails in Nashville during the fall season?

The hikes in and around Nashville are great around the fall season – and it’s especially picturesque to visit the waterfall trails. The color on the trees against the raging waterfalls is pretty next level and you will not regret heading out any of the waterfalls we’ve listed above around this time! Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the most popular areas during this time.

Are there any hiking trails with picnic areas?

There are a number of parks and hiking trails in and around Nashville that have picnic areas. Of course, for many trails you’re welcome to have a picnic along the trail anyway, so you don’t always need to worry about this.

For more formalized areas, Fall Creek Falls State Park has a designated picnic area, as does Radnor Lake State Park. You’ll also find similar at Stones River Greenway. Shelby Bottoms is also a good spot too. There are plenty more – we would recommend looking at the trail you want to do’s website to see if anything specifically is said on this. 

Are There Any Overnight Hiking Options near Nashville?

There are plenty of options for overnight hikes near Nashville. Many of the state parks in Tennessee have structured campsites which can be booked in advance. It’s worth looking at the trails listed above, the state park they’re in and their website. There is usually information on how to book directly through these. Areas like Long Hunter, South Cumberland and Natchez Trace State Park are some of the best.

Is It Safe to Hike Alone?

Whilst many people would say it’s safe to hike alone in and around Nashville, the answer to this is a lot more nuanced and depends a lot on the individual. Just because you can hike alone does not mean it will an enjoyable experience.

You should ask yourself if your level of experience, your gender, or your appearance may make a solo trip into the wilderness uncomfortable for you. It’s certainly possible to hike alone, but we think every hiker should make an informed decision based on their own circumstances as to whether they would feel comfortable doing so.

Enjoy Exploring the Hiking Trails in and Around Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville hiking has so much to offer – from incredible, raging waterfalls to riverside reserves and Greenland spaces. Think forests, rivers, hidden lakes and everything in-between. Then, looking a little further outside Nashville, you have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cumberland Mountains. You really can’t get more varied than this.

The trails we’ve listed above cover something for everyone. From shorter hikes with little elevation gain and good paths through to rocky scrambles to waterfalls and trails that take you high up into rugged mountains and waterfalls that take some serious effort to get to.

The great thing about hiking around Nashville is that a lot of these hikes can be done all year round. We hope our guide gives you some inspiration to see more of what Nashville and the surrounding area has to offer in terms of the outdoors!

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