The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Nashville, Tennessee, probably isn’t epic hikes and views. I’d bet the first thing you think about is probably Broadway, full of overpriced celebrity bars and flocks of bachelorette parties.
But let me let you in on a little secret; there is SO much more to Nashville than Broadway and downtown! Believe it or not, there are actually tons of underrated hikes within an hour radius of the city. We’ve got lakes, we’ve got forests, we’ve got grasslands, you name it.
I’ll admit, when I moved to Nashville about a year ago, I was a bit skeptical of how much nature there was in the area. I too had the idea the best things to do here are eat and drink. And while there’s plenty of great options for that, hiking is my favorite hobby, so I made it my mission to go on as many in the area as I could.
And y’all, I was overwhelmed by how many options there are for hiking! I was genuinely pleasantly surprised! I’ve spent countless hours and weekends exploring Nashville and surrounding areas for the best hikes and views, and I’ve compiled a list of my 11 favorite Nashville hikes within an hour radius of downtown. All of them are dog-friendly, too (expect for #7).
I hope you enjoy these trails as much as I do!
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1. Fort Granger
- Park: Pinkerton Park
- Distance: 0.7 mile
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance from Downtown: 25 minutes with minimal traffic
Did you expect Nashville to have a Union Civil War fort, especially so close to downtown?
This short Fort Granger hike branches off the paved trail of Pinkerton Park, and leads you on a short hike through the woods until you reach this fort. Once you reach the base of it, there’s a short hill climb. The hike only has 85 total feet of elevation gain!
At the top, you can expect an epic lookout of a river and forests, and one can only imagine what a solider in the 1800s was thinking while looking at this same scenery!
You can stroll along and read about the history of the area, and there are even some trenches from the war along the perimeter.
There’s a large parking lot, so parking shouldn’t be an issue. There aren’t any color trail markers, but there are signs directing you towards the fort.
2. The Narrows Bluff
- Park: Harpeth River State Park
- Distance: 0.8 mile
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance from Downtown: 35 minutes with minimal traffic
While one of the shorter hikes on this list, this one definitely has my favorite view!
At the trailhead of this Nashville hike, you’ll see an option for Bluff Trail and Tunnel Trail. While I also recommend doing the Tunnel Trail afterwards for another quick, less than a mile hike that leads to a waterfall most of the time (sadly, it may be dried up if you go during dry season), for this you’re going to head towards the Bluff Trail. There will be another sign that says “Bluff Overlook 1/3 Mile”.
This 1/3 mile is pretty much straight up, 147 feet of elevation gain to be exact. It’s like a stairmaster for a third of a mile, but once you hit the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Harpeth River and surrounding bluff! The views are truly some of the best you’ll get within an hour of the city, worth every step and minute of the drive.
PRO TIP: Go at sunrise (if you can pull yourself out of bed, I struggle) for an even better viewing experience at the top!
Look out for the red trail markers. The parking situation is a bit iffy for this depending on which trailhead you start on, but there is overflow parking. You may just add a bit to your hike. There’s also a porta potty at the trailhead.
3. Nature Trail
- Park: Timberland Park
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance from Downtown: 35 minutes with minimal traffic
A Nashville area hidden gem hike, the Nature Trail lives up to its name.
It’s a pretty easy hike with only 147 feet of elevation gain and a well maintained path. As the name suggests, there’s plenty of wildflowers, mushrooms, and wildlife along the trail during the right season. It’s very shaded as it’s through the woods!
There’s plenty of parking, and a restroom at the trailhead. There are no color trail markers, but plenty of maps and direction signs along the trail. There are some trails in this park that aren’t dog friendly, and very clearly state that on entry signs, so just note that if you’re planning on adding some more hikes from this park!
Hiking Tip: Don’t forget to take a picture of the trail map at the trailhead, or have it pulled up on AllTrails! The navigation feature on the app has saved me from getting lost more times than I’d like to admit.
4. Henry Hollow
- Park: Beaman Park
- Distance: 2 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance from Downtown: 25 minutes with minimal traffic
Another one of my favorite Nashville hikes, Henry Hollow Loop starts and ends by a large stream, and the middle portion is a hike through the forest.
My favorite time to hike here is actually during stick season when the colorful leaves are on the ground and the stream is more prominent.
While the stream is the highlight of the hike, the rest of it through the woods definitely deserves some praise as well. The forest is beautiful and peaceful, even if it is a bit hilly at points, with 250 feet of elevation gain.
There’s a small parking lot and a porta potty at the trailhead. The trail is marked with white markers.
While I’ve never personally had an issue with this the multiple times I’ve visited this park, I have seen many people complain about their cars being broken into. Always remove any valuables from your car before hiking. Again, I’ve never dealt with this, but something to be aware of.
5. Dove Farm
- Park: Bells Bend Park
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance from Downtown: 25 minutes with minimal traffic
This is one of the lesser known trails on this list, I think there was only one other person there!
As the name suggests, Dove Farm Loop goes around a giant, open grassland field surrounded by gently rolling hills.
I went during late summer, and the amount of wildflowers in the field was astonishing. They were everywhere! You’ll feel very at peace here with tall grass and wildflowers on one side, and forest on another. Extra bonus if you go during sunset.
This hike is pretty easy too, and very flat, with only 65 feet of elevation gain. While the ground can be a bit uneven at time, it’s overall a nice, relaxing walk in the park.
This trail is marked with green trail markers, and has a small parking lot at the trailhead.
6. Blue Trail
- Park: Marcella Vivrette Smith Park
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance from Downtown: 25 minutes with minimal traffic
I saw the pictures of the Blue Trail on AllTrails, and I knew I needed to do this Nashville hike. You know how some pictures on there end up looking nothing like the trail you thought you had signed up for? This was NOT one of them. Its beauty exceeded expectations.
This trail is a mostly a hike in the woods, with beautiful viewpoints of the hills and greenery dotted in. While of course I like a stroll through the forest, my favorite part was closer to the end of the hike.
You exit the woods into this grassland clearing where the hills and the long grass are on full display. It’s like a perfect place for a couple’s photoshoot or something, it’s breathtaking.
If you hear nothing else from this article, hear this – do yourself a favor and do this at dusk. This opening at sunset is magnificent. I just sat there with my dog for a while and took it all in.
More good news, this trail is mostly flat. However, there is about 300 feet of elevation gain, and I attribute most of it to a steep hill right after the clearing. Other than that, it’s a fairly easy hike.
This park has plenty of parking and a bathroom near the trailhead, so you’ll be all set and ready to start your hike worry free.
7. Radnor Lake Trail
- Park: Radnor Lake State Park
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance from Downtown: 20 minutes with minimal traffic
Not only does this Nashville hike go around a beautiful lake through the forest, but Radnor Lake is also a hot spot for wildlife.
I’ve seen deer practically every time I’ve come to this park, sometimes just barely off the trail. I’ve even seen an otter too, and it’s an eagle protection area.
This hike is shaded and only has 121 feet of elevation gain. It truly is a perfect hike to escape into nature, and just enjoy your surroundings. There are a few lake viewing areas off the trail I’d recommend branching off onto for even better views.
Sadly, this is the only trail on this list that isn’t dog-friendly. If you want a dog-friendly hike at this park that still goes around the lake, check out the Otter Creek Trail. It’s about 1 mile each way, and still has beautiful views and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities!
This park is super popular, and parking can be a bit chaotic here. There’s two lots, but they get full quickly, especially on summer nights and on the weekends, so consider going early. Both lots have a bathroom near the trailhead. The trail is marked with blue markers.
8. Warner Woods
- Park: Percy Warner Park
- Distance: 2.9 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance from Downtown: 20 minutes with minimal traffic
This was my go-to after work hike during the summer, and it seems like it was many others too! This is one of the more popular parks in Nashville, and for good reason.
Warner Woods Loop starts out with a set of stairs to make sure you’re nice and out of breath before entering the woods. But, make sure to turn around and take a glance of the view at the top before you start the actual hike portion!
Once you enter the woods, this loop takes you through a lush forest, with trees constantly surrounding you on every side. It’s a good workout too, with the ups and downs of hills equating to 541 feet of elevation gain.
Keep an eye out for wildlife! I’ve seen a fair share of deer here. And if you go during summer, you can expect to see wildflowers along your route. It’s also a great Nashville hike to do during the summer as there’s plenty of shade.
There’s plenty of parking, and the trail is marked with white trail markers.
9. Creech Hollow
- Park: Montgomery Bell State Park
- Distance: 2.9 miles
- Trail Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance from Downtown: 40 minutes with minimal traffic
The highlight of Creech Hollow is the large lake it passes, and then the creek it passes by.
The first portion of the out and back trail is through the forest. While the trail has 242 feet of elevation gain, most of it is in this wooded section of the trail. You’ll barely even notice though with how pretty it is.
Once you exit the woods, you’ll be greeted with views of a beautiful lake, and you’ll be along it for the rest of this section of trail. You’ll soon enter the woods again, but this time with the water by your side, and you’ll pass along the creek here too! I think this is technically the “hollow” part of the trail.
The parking in front of this trailhead could only fit a few cars, and there wasn’t a bathroom at it either. However, since this park is a popular camping spot, I’d bet there are other available lots.
10. Day Loop
- Park: Long Hunter State Park
- Distance: 3.7 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance from Downtown: 30 minutes with minimal traffic
Dog parents, I think you should know this is my dog’s favorite Nashville area hike on this list! He got to play fetch in a lake, what’s not to enjoy?
Day Loop is another wooded hike around a lake, although this time a much larger one. During the summer, you can expect to see some boats enjoying time on the water. Can you tell by now I like lake hikes?
The best thing about this hike isn’t only the constant lake views, but also the mossy boulders dotted along the trail. It makes it feel somewhat enchanted forest-esque.
Since the water level varies season to season, so does this hike. During summer, there was an open beachy area to play fetch with my dog and relax by the water, but this was the only entry point to the water. However, during the winter, the level was so low, there were plenty of exposed rock areas becoming their own sort of beaches.
This hike is fairly flat, with 262 feet elevation gain is a pretty condensed portion of the trail. There’s a small parking lot at the trailhead, and a porta potty. The trail is marked with orange markers.
11. Mossy Ridge
- Park: Percy Warner Park
- Distance: 5.1 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance from Downtown: 20 minutes with minimal traffic.
- 830 feet elevation gain
I believe this was the first hike I ever did when I moved to Nashville, and one I’ve done multiple times since.
The Mossy Ridge Trail is a hike through the forest, along ridges at points, as the name suggests. Something about this forest feels different though. Parts of the hike feels like you’re walking through that game Temple Run.
As for the “mossy” part of the trail name, there are some rocks and trees covered in moss, adding to the magical feeling ambiance! And if you’re an animal lover, keep an eye out – I’ve seen some horse riders go through a parallel trail!
While the forest and the vibes are great, another cool part of this hike is that near the end, there’s a lone standing chimney from a scout’s cabin from the 1930s!
There’s a decent amount of parking at the trailhead (although it does get packed on the weekends), and a few porta-potties. Follow the red trail markers, and be prepared for hills! There’s 830 feet of elevation gain.
What to bring on your Nashville hikes?
Of course, bring plenty of water, especially if you’re going during the summer! Tennessee heat is no joke. But even if you’re not going during the summer, still bring it. Some of the hills will take it out of you.
If you’re bringing your pup with you, make sure to bring a portable bowl for them. Trust me, they’ll get thirsty, too! Don’t forget their poop bags, either. I like to carry some treats with me as well.
As far as hiking shoes go, I highly suggest hiking boots with ankle protection. I’ll be the first to admit I’m clumsy and easily trip over my own feet, but some of these hikes have roots just waiting to grab ya.
Wear your sunscreen, and bring some bug spray! I often decide on the trail if I need it, but better to have it on hand and not use it than to be swarmed with bugs and not have it.
Not to be a downer on this last one, but especially for my solo hikers, bring some mace. I’m an advocate for solo hiking, I often just have my dog with me. But I understand this comes with a certain level of risk, and I’d highly, highly suggest bringing along this for protection. Check out my blog post for tips on how to safe while solo hiking. These tips are good practices even if you’re not alone!
Finally, follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, meaning:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
Time to adventure!
With these hikes and so many more I didn’t list, you’ll be busy for a while exploring all the hikes and parks Nashville has to offer!
Whether you live here, or you’re just visiting, you won’t regret stepping away from the city life for a few hours to enjoy one of these escapes.
While I love all of these hikes, if you’re pressed for time, or want to know which to do first, these three are my favorite: The Narrows Bluff, Blue Trail, and Day Loop. But you really can’t go wrong with any of these 11 Nashville hikes!
Plus, if you’re wanting even more hikes around Nashville, check out my post on the best waterfall hikes within an hour of the city!
Happy hiking!
