Whether it’s the hot chicken tenders or a well-awaited concert that got you there, make the most of it during your visit to Nashville. After all, peace is the next thing you’ll look for after wearing yourself from high-pitched country music. And we have just the perfectly peaceful 11 best hiking near nashville.
What are the Best Hiking Near Nashville?
#1: Best Day Hikes near Nashville!- Explore the Beauty of Percy Warner Park
One of the best day hikes near Nashville is through the Mossy Ridge trail to Percy Warner Park. The massive and magnificent Percy Warner Park is world-renowned for its beauty. As for the Mossy Ridge trail, it’s clean, smooth, marked, and covered with a lush greenway. Nashville locals usually occupy this trail on weekends, so we recommend visiting on weekdays.
| Trail Type | Moderate difficulty |
| Total Miles | 5.1 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 2 hours 19 minutes |
#2: Best Hiking Spots near Nashville!- Discover the Scenic Views at Radnor Lake
Another one of the best hiking spots near Nashville is the Radnor Lake trail. The 2.7 miles round trip hike pays off when you reach Radnor Lake State Park. This park is a haven for wildlife photographers, hikers, and animal lovers.
The best part about this scenic spot is that it’s only a 17-minute drive from downtown Nashville. With beautiful views of the hardwood forests, the lake simply soothes the soul.
| Trail Type | Easy |
| Total Miles | 2.7 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 54 minutes |
#3: Best Hiking Near Nashville- Experience the Waterfalls at Burgess Falls
The Burgess Falls is one of the best hiking waterfalls near Nashville. This iconic park is located near Chattanooga, only 1.5 miles from Nashville. The Burgess Falls State Park is one of the best in the country, with four waterfalls down 250 feet in elevation.
You must take the iron forge staircase to reach the bottom of the falls. The way to the falls is via the Burgess trail, which, although not easy due to its huge rock formations, still offers a short hike.
| Trail Type | Moderate difficulty |
| Total Miles | 1.2 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 31 minutes |
Where Can you Find Great Hiking Options in Tennessee?
#4: Best Mountain Hikes near Nashville!- Adventure Through the Stunning Harpeth River State Park
The Harpeth Hidden Lake trail is another one of the best hiking trails in Nashville, TN. You’ll love this place’s natural aesthetics, mainly known for its quiet and uninhabited surroundings. The best part about the short Harpeth trail is that it offers plenty of shade to the hikers. A pro tip for hiking the Harpeth trail is to follow the trail to the Narrow of Harpeth.
| Trail Type | Easy |
| Total Miles | 4.2 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 1 hour 20 minutes |
#5: Best Hiking Near Nashville!- Hike the Cumberland Trails for Breathtaking Views
The Caney Fork River is a great excursion spot for canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Located in middle Tennessee, almost a two-hour drive from the main Nashville, the Caney Fork River is a sight for sore eyes. The best way to reach Caney Fork is via the Cumberland trail, including the Shelby Bottoms Greenway along the Cumberland River.
| Trail Type | Challenging |
| Total Miles | 11.6 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 5 hours 38 minutes |
How far are the hiking trails from downtown Nashville?
#6: Best Hiking Waterfalls near Nashville!- Plan a Short Drive to Fall Creek Falls
The Fall Creek Falls is the largest of all Tennessee waterfalls, measuring 256 feet in height. It is located in Fall Creek Falls State Park in the city of Spencer, which is only a couple of hours from Nashville. To reach the base of the waterfall, you have to take the Gorge Overlook Trail. This trail is partly rough with a sandstone and gravel path, but its beauty lies in the nature center in which it’s located.
| Trail Type | Easy |
| Total Miles | 1.0 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 35 minutes |
#7: Best Hiking Trails Close to Nashville!- Enjoy the Gorges at South Cumberland State Park within Hours of Downtown
The Savage Gulf and South Cumberland State Park contain gorgeous gorges. They feature nature’s majestic offering you should witness. Moreover, both parks are located within the city and are an hour or two from each other.
The fiery gizzard trail is perfect for reaching the park due to its surrounding Nashville greenways. This trail is also mentioned by Backpacker magazine as one of the best trail systems in Nashville.
| Trail Type | Challenging |
| Total Miles | 12.5 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 5 hours 27 minutes |
Which State Parks offer the Best Hiking Experiences Near Nashville?
#8: Best Hiking Near Nashville!- Visit the Majestic Rock Island State Park for a Unique Hiking Adventure
The Rock Island State Park of Center Hill Lake is home to Twin Falls, a man-made waterfall known for its impressive beauty. For this waterfall, you have to take the Downstream trail, which offers hiking opportunities to beginner skill levels. The path is perfect for people who want to cover only a few miles of hiking trails to the base of the falls.
| Trail Type | Easy |
| Total Miles | 1.6 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 41 minutes |
#9: Discover the Beauty of Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
The Stillhouse Hollow Falls is one of the best places to visit around Nashville for picnics. This 75-foot waterfall is as mesmerizing as it can get. To reach the base, you have to take the Stillhouse Hollow trail, which is equally poetic in terms of looks. Covered with benches and a decent crowd, this area is worth putting on your Nashville hiking list.
| Trail Type | Easy |
| Total Miles | 0.7 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 36 minutes |
What are the must-visit waterfalls near Nashville?
#10: Best Fall Hikes near Nashville!- Embark on a Journey to Ozone Falls for a Stunning Waterfall Hike
Nashville is rich in waterfalls; one of its best offerings is the Ozone Falls. This 110-foot waterfall is located in the middle of Crab Orchard Mountains and Walden Ridge. To reach this waterfall, you must take the Ozone Falls trail, surrounded by huge rocks. Even then, this path is easier than most non-rocky trails.
| Trail Type | Easy |
| Total Miles | 0.3 miles |
| Hiking Time Required-+ | 13 minutes |
#11: Best Hiking Near Nashville!- Experience the Beauty of Cummins Falls on a Hiking Adventure
Cummins Falls is the place to go when you’re feeling hot and need a swim. It’s probably the most crowded of all the spots mentioned in this article. To reach Cummins Falls, take the Falls Overlook trail near Bloomington Springs. The broad trail offers stunning river views, making your journey super exciting.
| Trail Type | Moderate difficulty |
| Total Miles | 2.4 miles |
| Hiking Time Required | 1 hour 4 minutes |
FAQs- Best Hiking Near Nashville
Does Tennessee have good hiking trails?
Does Nashville have good hiking trails?
What is the closest mountain area to Nashville?
What are the best mountains in Nashville?
Is Nashville good for hiking?
What waterfalls are in Nashville, Tennessee?
What is the tallest mountain near Nashville?
What is the most scenic part of Tennessee?
Conclusion- Best Hiking Near Nashville
There, you have our recommendations for the best fall hikes near Nashville. These locations and their respective trails are therapeutic with their immense charm. So, during your next visit to the music city, make sure to reserve one day to explore these hiking sites.