15 Best Places for Hiking in Nashville, Tennessee: 2024 Updated

Nashville is one of the top travel destinations in the country and has a lot to offer visitors. Tennessee is known for vibrant nightlife, live music, fantastic restaurants, and hiking trails. You can find around 56 state parks, over 500 waterfalls, and one national park to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. If you're outdoorsy, there are many places to hike in Nashville, Tennessee.

Whether you're looking for a temporary respite from the hustle and bustle of city life or just want to connect with nature, the hiking trails in Nashville, TN, have got you covered. The paved urban greenways and remote dirt trails offer many hiking options in and around the city. If you've packed the hiking essentials, here are the best hiking trails to explore the diversity and beauty of the city.

Best 10 Hiking Trails in Nashville

When it comes to hiking in Nashville, TN, there are many different options within the city's limits. Many hiking trails are easy to moderate, so you can pack your bag and get going without any additional effort. Here are some of the best places for outdoor getaways, swimming, and hiking in Nashville, Tennessee to check out:

Radnor Lake Trail

Place Name: Radnor Lake State Park

Address: 1160 Otter Creek Rd, Nashville, TN 37220, United States

Length: 1.35 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best For: Hiking, wildlife viewing, walking, and nature study

Radnor Lake State Park is a popular hiking destination located south of the city near the Brentwood area. It has around 8 miles of hiking trails, including the 1.35-mile Lake Trail. If you love long hiking, the short yet sweet Lake Trail connects with the 1.65-mile Ganier Ridge Trail.

Volunteer Trail

Place Name: Long Hunter State Park

Address: 1594 Bakers Grove Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076, United States

Length: 6 miles

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best For: Long, scenic hike along the shores of Percy Priest Lake and potential wildlife sightings

The Volunteer Trail is one of Nashville, Tennessee's truly adventurous and energetic hiking trails. It is 6 miles long, and walking the entire route in one day can be a challenge. However, the moderate difficulty of the trail and beautiful scenery, including rocky coves, make it a delightful walk.

Mossy Ridge Trail

Place Name: Percy Warner Park

Address: Nashville, TN 37221, USA

Length: 4.5 miles

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best For: Birding, hiking, and horseback riding

The Mossy Ridge Trail is a 4.5-mile hiking route that has some steep climbs and is a bit rocky in sections. You can walk the path or run if you want to work out. The park is quite close to Nashville, which means it can get very busy at times. The hiking route has plenty of shade along the entire length, which is much appreciated during the warmer months.

Harpeth Woods Trail

Place Name: Edwin Warner Park

Address: Nashville, TN 37221, USA

Length: 2.5 miles

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best For: Hiking, running, and walking

If you're looking to enjoy the outdoors, Edwin National Park in Nashville is an excellent destination. The park has 20 miles of trails, which are less crowded and ideal for people looking to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Visitors can also spot wildlife in the park, making it perfect for wildlife lovers.

Beeman Park Ridgetop Trail

Place Name: Beaman Park

Address: Ashland City, TN 37015, United States

Length: 2.1 miles

Difficulty Level: Moderate 

Best For: Hiking, running, and wildlife

If you enjoy immersing yourself in the wilderness, the Beeman Park Ridgetop Trail will not disappoint you. Since it is a bit more remote compared to other parks in the area, the park and trail are often less crowded. The hiking trail in Nashville is easy to follow and well-marked, so hikers can soak in the lush green forest.  

Bryant Grove Trail

Place Name: Long Hunter State Park

Address: Tennessee, USA

Length: 8.4 miles

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best For: Hiking, birding, and paddle sports

The Bryant Grove Trail is an out-and-back hike covering more than 8 miles. Hikers can enjoy the mesmerizing views of Percy Priest Lake and Long Hunter State Park. If you are looking for a long hike that isn't a lot demanding, you may consider the Bryant Grove Trail.

Shelby Bottoms Greenway

Place Name: East Nashville

Address: Nashville, TN 37206, USA

Length: 4 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best For: Hiking, biking, running, staking, and wildlife watching

The Shelby Bottoms Greenway is located in East Nashville and has a nearby restaurant. It offers a 5-mile-long path and an additional 5 miles of dirt trail. The route is mostly flat and easy, which draws plenty of joggers, walkers, and cyclists. It also provides access to natural settings in the metropolitan area.

Narrows of the Harpeth

Place Name: Harpeth River State Park

Address: 1300 Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Kingston Springs, TN 37082, United States

Length: 1.1 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best For: Hiking, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, and kayaking

When you drive half an hour west of Nashville, you'll find Harpeth River State Park. It's a lovely setting known for its spectacular views of the titular waterway. It is home to one of the oldest man-made tunnels and is popular among canoeists and kayakers. The 1.1-mile trail has some fun points of interest and doesn't take long to complete.

Stones River Greenway

Place Name: From Cumberland River to J. Percy Priest Reservoir

Address: Nashville, TN, USA

Length: 5.7 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best For: Road biking, running, and walking

Stones River Greenway is a 5.7-mile, mixed-use, paved trail with lovely scenery, including a segment along the river. It sits in the heart of the city and is popular among walkers, runners, and cyclists. The trail's smooth, paved surface is ideal for those planning to spend time outdoors.

Stillhouse Hollow Falls Trail

Place Name: Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Park

Address: Tennessee 38474, USA

Length: 1.2 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best For: Hiking, birdwatching, and walking

The Stillhouse Hollow Falls Trail is a 1.2 miles out-and-back hiking trail in Nashville, Tennessee. It has an easy route and takes only 36 minutes to complete. It's a popular area for people who enjoy walking, hiking, and birding. While dogs are welcome on the trail, they must be on leash.

Best Places for Hiking in Nashville With Waterfalls

Middle Tennessee is home to some of the best waterfall hiking trails in the Southeast. While some are composed of a series of cascades, others are free-falling waterfalls that fall from heights of around 100 feet. Here are some of the best places for hiking in Nashville with waterfalls:

Cummins Falls: Cummins Falls State Park is a well-known swimming hole around an hour and a half from Nashville. You will find a 1.5-mile hike down to the waterfalls. Once you reach the fall, you'll be greeted with a surreal view.

Foster Falls: Foster Falls is a popular sport climbing destination for regional climbers. It is a 60-foot free-falling waterfall and takes only an hour and forty-five minutes from downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Piney Falls: Situated near Grandview, Tennessee, in Piney Falls State Natural Area, Piney Falls is an 80-foot beauty that is very easy to access. You can cool off in Little Piney Creek or climb behind the waterfalls.

Burgess Falls: The Burgess Falls is a 136-foot waterfall located on the Falling Water River, which forms the centerpiece of the state park. There is a classic 1.5 mile River Trail that takes hikers to the other four waterfalls in the park.

Twin Falls: The downstream trail to Twin Falls is located in Rock Island State Park and is a short one of about 1.6 miles in length. The beautiful park is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime you want.

Hiking in Nashville, Tennessee Checklist and Items

If you don't pack the right hiking essentials and Items, it can turn the ideal hike into an unforgettable event. For example, let's say you are hiking, and suddenly, dark clouds start blowing to obscure the path forward. If you don't have warmer layers of clothes, extra socks, or navigation tools to find shelter, it can make self-rescue impossible. Here are some of the recommended gear and tools to prepare for hiking in Nashville:

Clothes: Shirts, pants, base layers, insulated jackets, and rain shell jackets & pants.

Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots to support traction over uneven ground

Safety and Navigation Tools: First aid, emergency blanket, sleeping bag, GPS, maps, headlamp flashlight, and water filter

Food and Water: Whole fruit, energy bar, granola, nuts, and water

Solar Battery Charger: Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station or Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus to charge essential hiking gear such as lights, smartphones, cameras, portable speakers, etc

Jackery Portable Power Supply for Hiking

Hiking and camping are becoming popular outdoor activities that allow you to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature. However, if you're planning a hiking trip in Nashville, you will need to have access to reliable solar battery chargers like Jackery Solar Generators. These camping solar generators work on free solar energy and don't emit any noise or fumes while charging the appliances.

Portable solar generators are compact and lightweight solar-powered generators that can charge phones, cameras, portable speakers, and other electronics. They feature a sturdy, foldable handle and an ergonomic design to carry the battery power station to outdoor locations and charge hiking appliances. Depending on the different power needs of hikers, here are two portable solar chargers for hiking:

Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is a budget-friendly option for hikers, especially those who love solo hiking. Weighing only 965 grams, it is incredibly portable and easy to carry on hikes. The small battery backup has multiple output ports to charge up to three appliances, such as laptops, smartphones, and emergency lights, during outdoor activities. You can also pack the battery backup in the backpack to charge electronics on the go.

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

If you are planning a long-term hiking trip with your family and friends or wish to camp in the park, you may go ahead with the compact Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus. It is light in weight, features a foldable handle, and has an ergonomic design to move the battery backup to outdoor adventures. The Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels fold to iPad size and can charge the battery backup in remote locations so you can continue enjoying hiking.

Conclusion

Whether you're planning a weekend hiking plus camping trip or a long-distance hike, these best places for hiking in Nashville, Tennessee, will surely help you make the most out of your journey. Before you pack the gear and get ready to hike, make sure to carry a portable power generator that can charge essential gadgets on the go. Jackery Solar Generators are easy to transport and help you stay connected with your family and loved ones, no matter where the hiking adventures take you. They can fit in your backpack so you can hit the trails with peace of mind.