Nashville is likely one of the greatest locations to remain within the US for mountaineering, but most individuals understand it as ‘music metropolis’. As a lot as we love the Nashville music scene, it’s time for mainstream tourism to begin seeing town as a extra rounded vacation spot – and these prime 15 hikes close to Nashville are the right place to begin. There are numerous waterfalls hikes close to Nashville and beautiful inexperienced areas like Percy Warner Park, Lengthy Hunter State Park, and extra. For all its energetic beats and partying, Nashville is just not wanting mountaineering alternatives.
15 Prime Hikes Close to Nashville, Tennessee

Whether or not you need inexperienced area in Downtown Nashville or simply hikes close to Nashville, Tennessee, which you could go to as a day journey, this information has bought you coated. We’ll whisk you thru a listing of one of the best mountaineering trails close to Nashville, Tennessee.
1. Cane Creek Waterfalls

Cane Creek Falls is likely one of the most stunning waterfall hikes close to Nashville. The falls drop 85 ft as a single-drop waterfall into an enormous plunge pool under. Cane Creek Falls are located in Fall Creek Falls State Park and are one in every of its six completely different waterfalls, however this waterfall stands out for its quantity. You’ll be mountaineering this waterfall path for its beauty – not a exercise, because it takes lower than quarter-hour to finish. Nonetheless, when you additionally embrace the suspension bridge in your route, it’s a extremely participating quick hike close to Nashville.
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Issue: Straightforward
- Elevation achieve: 25 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 2 hours
2. Radnor Lake Path

Radnor Lake is a stupendous vacation spot for out of doors lovers. The state park encompasses 1,368 acres and is a thriving hotspot for river otters, beavers, and white-tailed deer. Contemplate Radnor Lake Path because the wildlife-watching alternative amidst these greatest mountaineering trails. And the serene lake is an enormous added bonus, with ranger-led canoe floats accessible for these wanting a extra adventurous probability to attach with Radnor Lake.
This path takes roughly an hour to finish and is a big loop that laps across the lake’s edge. Take your time, although, to get essentially the most out of wildlife watching, and brings some binoculars to identify animals from a distance.
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Issue: Straightforward
- Elevation achieve: 37 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 17 minutes
3. Narrows of the Harpeth Path

The Narrows of the Harpeth Path is an absolute breeze to hike. If you would like a brief however candy mountaineering journey from Nashville, add this to your listing. The Narrows gives upstream and downstream path entry, and this space is legendary for its slim part of river flowing by means of lush forest and towering cliffs. The Narrows of the Harpeth Tunnel are gorgeous; image a man-made waterfall cascading out of the cliffs.
The Narrows of the Harpeth River is simply half an hour’s drive from Nashville’s metropolis heart – splendid for a fast afternoon journey. Located in a chosen state park, this hike is ideal for these wanting a trek by means of dense forest and a singular river setting.
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Issue: Straightforward
- Elevation achieve: 68 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: half-hour
4. Montgomery Bell Path
Montgomery Bell is extensively described as a pure oasis. Image three green-tinted lakes surrounded by 3,850 acres of forest and pure magnificence – actually, it’s no surprise that folks from Nashville flock to make the 40-minute drive to Montgomery Bell State Park. The Montgomery Bell Path is a average path of over 10 miles, taking roughly 4 hours to finish, plus longer when you cease for swimming. Nonetheless, it is likely one of the most stress-free and peaceable locations for mountaineering close to Nashville. Most guests spend the day lounging on lake shores or paddling in shallow waters.
- Distance: 10.3 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 320 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 40 minutes
5. Volunteer Path Day Loop Path

Volunteer Path Day Loop is a average hike that latches on as an additional problem from the Volunteer Path that loops Lengthy Hunter State Park. It pays to get off the overwhelmed monitor occasionally, and on this path extension, you permit Volunteer Path at its halfway level and detour to Percy Priest Lake. You’ll be able to truly camp on this path. In truth, a preferred solution to expertise it’s to arrange at Percy Priest Lake’s campsites after which watch the sundown – ending the hike the next day. This can be a stunning path to tick off for lakeside mountaineering close to Nashville.
- Distance: 4 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 82 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: half-hour
6. Twin Falls and Down River Path

Prepared for one more one in every of Nashville’s close by waterfall trails? Twin Falls and Down River Path is a reasonably straightforward hike close to Rock Island State Park. However its profitable issue is the cascading Twin Falls – a stupendous waterfall that appears to tumble out of the timber and dozens of white streaks. The path takes round 40 minutes to finish and is located in Rock Island State Park. This park sits on the confluence of three rivers; Caney Fork River, Collins, and Rocky River.
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Issue: Straightforward
- Elevation achieve: 68 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 40 minutes
7. Burgess Falls Path

Burgess Falls Path is a incredible mountaineering journey to mix a number of waterfalls into one quick stroll. The path passes 4 big waterfalls alongside the Falling Water River – offering unmatched views of highly effective crashes of water. Don’t be fooled; this route is labeled reasonably difficult regardless of solely taking 40 minutes to finish. There may be some rocky terrain in sections alongside some gentle inclines that push up the problem stage. Convey some water, and also you’ll be positive.
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 64 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour quarter-hour
8. Greeter Falls Loop

Greeter Falls is fairly well-known. You’ve in all probability seen this waterfall earlier than, and its pristine single drop is inconceivable to overlook. To go on an out of doors journey mountaineering close to Nashville, the Greeter Falls Loop is likely one of the most photogenic choices. You stroll by means of a shaded forest for many of the path earlier than rising onto an iconic spiral staircase to get near Greeter Falls. The toughest half is the elevation achieve, however the stroll takes roughly an hour and a half.
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 158 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour half-hour
9. Hidden Lake
Bear in mind Harpeth River State Park from earlier? Effectively, it has a second trial you must find out about. The Harpeth Hidden Lake is one in every of our shortest trails, taking simply 25 minutes to finish as a loop. Nonetheless, it is likely one of the most scenic trails to hike from Nashville and has a shocking lookout level. With little children, the ‘hidden side’ can also be a fantastic supply of pleasure.
- Distance: 1.3 miles
- Issue: Straightforward
- Elevation achieve: 14 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 20-minute drive
10. Foster Falls Base Path

Foster Falls is a spectacle to be witnessed up shut and private. The 60-foot waterfall drops right into a deep plunge pool under, surrounded by mountain laurels and azaleas. Whereas it’s tucked away on the Cumberland Plateau within the South Cumberland State Park, the hike is simple. Superb for out of doors lovers with out the power or health stage for a protracted stroll.
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Issue: Straightforward
- Elevation achieve: 47 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 40 minutes
11. Gorge Overlook Path
The Gorge Overlook Path is a round route in Fall Creek Falls State Park – which ought to sound acquainted since we’ve simply coated its different path, Cane Creek Falls. As an alternative of whisking you to Cane Creek, this path takes you on a more difficult pure impediment course. You’ll discover rocky terrain all through and sections of the path that require mountain climbing. And regardless of solely being just a few miles lengthy, it takes round 2 hours to finish due to intense elevation achieve. However your strenuous efforts are rewarded with dramatic gorge views.
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 217 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 2 hours
12. Fiery Gizzard Path to Raven’s Level

Fiery Gizzard Path is a star amongst out of doors adventures. This path even hits lists naming the highest mountaineering trails within the US, a vastly weighty declare in a rustic stuffed with such iconic mountaineering trails. Fiery Gizzard Path comes into its personal with its variety and points of interest. There are waterfalls, stunning swimming holes to dip in, unstable terrain to maintain you in your toes, and gorgeous forest surroundings. It’s a problem, however excellent for the formidable hiker visiting Nashville.
- Distance: 11 miles
- Issue: Difficult
- Elevation achieve: 445 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour half-hour
13. Jackson Falls Path

Jackson Falls Path is a tiny path that snakes previous a sequence of streams and deep swimming pools earlier than reaching one major plunge pool on the base of the falls. Whereas it takes simply 10 minutes to finish, it loops down a steep concrete path, making it extra of a average hike than a simple path. Watch your footing in moist climate since it may possibly get fairly slick. However in any other case, don’t bat an eyelid tackling this path, and convey a picnic to get pleasure from on the backside.
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 15 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour
14. Cummins Falls Path

Dropping 75 ft, Cummins Falls is definitely Tennessee’s eighth-largest waterfall. The falls have two important drops and a stupendous swimming gap on the base, and it’s situated on the Blackburn Fork River within the 306-acre Cummins Falls State Park. Individuals have been mountaineering the Cummins Falls Path for over 100 years to get pleasure from its swimming gap on the backside. So if you wish to escape the inner-city warmth in Nashville, Cummins Falls is a refreshing reward.
- Distance: 2.4 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 107 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour quarter-hour
15. Mossy Ridge Path

Mossy Ridge Path is in Percy Warner Park, one of many closest parks to Nashville’s metropolis heart. The truth that it’s located in Percy Warner Park doesn’t make this a simple path, although, and you’ll count on scrambling sections and steep hills to navigate. Mossy Ridge Path is ideal for a hiker trying to push themselves bodily with out venturing too far out of Nashville. The spotlight of this path is the non-obligatory detour it has to an overlook dealing with a rocky ridge. There are even little benches to sit down down and chill with a picnic or chilly drink.
- Distance: 5.1 miles
- Issue: Average
- Elevation achieve: 253 meters
- Driving time from Nashville: half-hour
Hikes Close to Nashville: FAQs

Climbing close to Nashville is unimaginable – particularly with the variety of waterfall hikes. Fall Creek Falls, Blue Gap Falls, and Virgin Falls are incredible waterfall choices, simply to call just a few. In summer time, nothing is healthier than discovering a swimming gap or plunge pool for a dip. However what else do you must find out about mountaineering close to Nashville? Try these important snippets of data.
Does Nashville Have Good Climbing?
Nashville has glorious mountaineering trails and is surrounded by hills and waterfalls. Nashville is a incredible break for inexperienced persons and mid-level hikers, with loads of mid-length and easy-to-moderate trails.
What Are The Closest Hikes to Nashville?
Warner Park is situated simply exterior Nashville metropolis heart (20 minutes by automotive or an hour by bus) and has 9 mountaineering trails. Warner Park has an enormous Nature Middle the place you possibly can choose up path maps or use Google Maps to information the way in which.
What Mountains Are Near Nashville?
The closest mountains to Nashville are the Nice Smoky Mountains. Nonetheless, town is usually surrounded by hills – that are higher choices for extra accessible day journeys. The Nice Smoky Mountains are 4 hours away from Nashville by automotive, so we advocate visiting them as a part of a protracted weekend reasonably than a day journey.
To Conclude: Hikes Close to Nashville

Climbing close to Nashville, Tennessee, is completely chic. You’ll discover gorgeous mountaineering trails whether or not you head to East Nashville or go on a extra distant out of doors journey. It has a few of the greatest mountaineering within the US, which isn’t any menial feat. Don’t simply tick off music points of interest and name it a day – carve out time for these 15 greatest mountaineering trails in and round Nashville. Climbing trails are the right solution to steadiness out the depth of a metropolis break.

Nonetheless, in search of Nashville inspiration? Try our information on the place to remain in Nashville for the lowdown on one of the best neighborhoods and motels. Have a beautiful mountaineering journey.