Top 15 Hiking Trails Near Nashville for 2025 Adventure

15 Top Hikes Near Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is one of the best places to stay in the US for hiking, yet most people know it as ‘music city’. As much as we love the Nashville music scene, it is time for mainstream tourism to start seeing the city as a more rounded destination – and these top 15 hikes near Nashville are the perfect place to start. There are many beautiful waterfall hikes near Nashville and gorgeous green spaces like Percy Warner Park, Long Hunter State Park, and more. For all its lively beats and partying, Nashville is not short of hiking opportunities.

Whether you want green space in Downtown Nashville or just hikes near Nashville, Tennessee, that you can visit as a day trip, this guide has got you covered. We’ll whisk you through a list of the best hiking trails near Nashville, Tennessee.

1. Cane Creek Waterfalls

Cane Creek Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes near Nashville. The falls drop 85 feet as a single-drop waterfall into a huge plunge pool below. Cane Creek Falls are situated in Fall Creek Falls State Park and are one of its six different waterfalls, but this waterfall stands out for its volume. You’ll be hiking this waterfall trail for its good looks – not a workout, as it takes less than 15 minutes to complete. However, if you also include the suspension bridge in your route, it’s a really engaging short hike near Nashville.

• Distance: 0.4 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 25 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 2 hours

2. Radnor Lake Trail

Radnor Lake is a beautiful destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The state park encompasses 1,368 acres and is a thriving hotspot for river otters, beavers, and white-tailed deer. Consider Radnor Lake Trail as the wildlife-watching opportunity amidst these best hiking trails. Moreover, the serene lake offers a massive added bonus, with ranger-led canoe floats available for those wanting a more adventurous chance to connect with Radnor Lake.

This trail takes approximately an hour to complete and is a giant loop that laps around the lake’s edge. Take your time to get the most out of wildlife watching, and bring some binoculars to spot animals from a distance.

• Distance: 2.7 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 37 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 17 minutes

3. Narrows of the Harpeth Trail

The Narrows of the Harpeth Trail is an absolute breeze to hike. If you want a short but sweet hiking trip from Nashville, add this to your list. The Narrows provides upstream and downstream trail access, and this area is famous for its narrow section of river flowing through lush forest and towering cliffs. The Narrows of the Harpeth Tunnel are stunning; picture a man-made waterfall cascading out of the cliffs.

The Narrows of the Harpeth River is just half an hour’s drive from Nashville’s city center – ideal for a quick afternoon trip. Consequently, this hike is perfect for those wanting a trek through dense forest and a unique river setting.

• Distance: 1.1 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 68 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 30 minutes

4. Montgomery Bell Trail

Montgomery Bell is widely described as a natural oasis. Picture three green-tinted lakes surrounded by 3,850 acres of forest and natural beauty – honestly, it is no wonder that people from Nashville flock to make the 40-minute drive to Montgomery Bell State Park. The Montgomery Bell Trail is a moderate trail of over 10 miles, taking approximately 4 hours to complete, plus longer if you stop for swimming. However, it is one of the most relaxing and peaceful places for hiking near Nashville. Most visitors spend the day lounging on lake shores or paddling in shallow waters.

• Distance: 10.3 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 320 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 40 minutes

5. Volunteer Trail Day Loop Trail

Volunteer Trail Day Loop is a moderate hike that latches on as an extra challenge from the Volunteer Trail that loops Long Hunter State Park. It pays to get off the beaten track once in a while, and on this trail extension, you leave Volunteer Trail at its midway point and detour to Percy Priest Lake. You can actually camp on this trail. In fact, a popular way to experience it is to set up at Percy Priest Lake’s campsites and then watch the sunset – finishing the hike the following day. This trail offers beautiful lakeside hiking near Nashville.

• Distance: 4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 82 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 30 minutes

6. Twin Falls and Down River Trail

Ready for another one of Nashville’s nearby waterfall trails? Twin Falls and Down River Trail is a fairly easy hike near Rock Island State Park. But its winning factor is the cascading Twin Falls – a beautiful waterfall that seems to tumble out of the trees with dozens of white streaks. The trail takes around 40 minutes to complete and is situated in Rock Island State Park, which sits on the confluence of three rivers: Caney Fork River, Collins, and Rocky River.

• Distance: 1.6 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 68 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 40 minutes

7. Burgess Falls Trail

Burgess Falls Trail is a fantastic hiking trip to combine multiple waterfalls into one short stroll. The trail passes four huge waterfalls along the Falling Water River – providing unrivaled views of powerful crashes of water. Don’t be fooled; this route is labeled moderately challenging despite only taking 40 minutes to complete. There is some rocky terrain in sections alongside some mild inclines that push up the difficulty level. Therefore, be sure to bring some water to stay hydrated.

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 64 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 15 minutes

8. Greeter Falls Loop

Greeter Falls is quite famous. Its pristine single drop is impossible to forget. To go on an outdoor adventure hiking near Nashville, the Greeter Falls Loop is one of the most photogenic options. You walk through a shaded forest for most of the trail before emerging onto an iconic spiral staircase to get close to Greeter Falls. The hardest part of the hike is the elevation gain, but the overall walk takes approximately an hour and a half.

• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 158 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 30 minutes

9. Hidden Lake

Remember Harpeth River State Park from earlier? Well, it has a second trail you need to know about. The Harpeth Hidden Lake is one of our shortest trails, taking just 25 minutes to complete as a loop. However, it is one of the most scenic trails to hike from Nashville and has a stunning lookout point. With little kids, the ‘hidden aspect’ adds an element of excitement.

• Distance: 1.3 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 14 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 20 minutes

10. Foster Falls Base Trail

Foster Falls is a spectacle to behold up close and personal. The 60-foot waterfall drops into a deep plunge pool below, surrounded by mountain laurels and azaleas. While it is tucked away on the Cumberland Plateau in the South Cumberland State Park, the hike itself is straightforward. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for shorter walks without sacrificing beauty.

• Distance: 0.6 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 47 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 40 minutes

11. Gorge Overlook Trail

The Gorge Overlook Trail is a circular route in Fall Creek Falls State Park – which should sound familiar since we’ve just covered its other trail, Cane Creek Falls. Instead of whisking you to Cane Creek, this trail takes you on a more challenging natural obstacle course. You’ll find rocky terrain throughout and sections of trail that require rock climbing. Moreover, despite only being a few miles long, it takes around 2 hours to complete due to the intense elevation gain. However, your strenuous efforts are rewarded with dramatic gorge views.

• Distance: 3.1 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 217 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 2 hours

12. Fiery Gizzard Trail to Raven’s Point

Fiery Gizzard Trail is a celebrity among outdoor adventures. This trail even hits lists naming the top hiking trails in the US, a hugely weighty claim in a country full of iconic hiking trails. Fiery Gizzard Trail comes into its own with its variety of attractions. There are waterfalls, beautiful swimming holes, unstable terrain to keep you engaged, and stunning forest scenery. While it is a challenge, it is perfect for the ambitious hiker visiting Nashville.

• Distance: 11 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Elevation gain: 445 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 30 minutes

13. Jackson Falls Trail

Jackson Falls Trail is a short trail that winds past a series of streams and deep pools before reaching one main plunge pool at the base of the falls. While it takes just 10 minutes to complete, it loops down a steep concrete trail, making it more of a moderate hike than an easy stroll. Watch your footing in wet weather since the trail can get quite slick. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to tackle this trail, and consider bringing a picnic to enjoy at the bottom.

• Distance: 0.4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 15 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour

14. Cummins Falls Trail

Dropping 75 feet, Cummins Falls is actually Tennessee’s eighth-largest waterfall. The falls have two significant drops and a beautiful swimming hole at the base, located on the Blackburn Fork River in the 306-acre Cummins Falls State Park. People have been hiking the Cummins Falls Trail for over 100 years to enjoy its popular swimming hole at the bottom. Therefore, if you want to escape the inner-city heat in Nashville, Cummins Falls is a refreshing reward.

• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 107 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 1 hour 15 minutes

15. Mossy Ridge Trail

Mossy Ridge Trail is in Percy Warner Park, one of the closest parks to Nashville’s city center. The fact that it is situated in Percy Warner Park does not make this an easy trail; you can expect scrambling sections and steep hills to navigate. Consequently, Mossy Ridge Trail is perfect for a hiker looking to push themselves physically without venturing too far from Nashville. The highlight of this trail is the optional detour to an overlook facing a rocky ridge, complete with little benches to sit down and enjoy a picnic or cold drink.

• Distance: 5.1 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 253 meters
• Driving time from Nashville: 30 minutes

Hikes Near Nashville: FAQs

Hiking near Nashville is incredible – especially with so many waterfall hikes available. Fall Creek Falls, Blue Hole Falls, and Virgin Falls are just a few fantastic waterfall options. In summer, nothing is more refreshing than finding a swimming hole or plunge pool for a dip. But what else do you need to know about hiking near Nashville? Here are some essential pieces of information.

Does Nashville Have Good Hiking?

Nashville has excellent hiking trails surrounded by stunning hills and waterfalls. It is a fantastic break for beginners and mid-level hikers, with plenty of mid-length and easy-to-moderate trails available.

What Are The Closest Hikes to Nashville?

Warner Park is located just outside Nashville city center (20 minutes by car or an hour by bus) and offers nine hiking trails. Warner Park features a massive Nature Center where you can obtain trail maps or utilize Google Maps for navigation.

What Mountains Are Close to Nashville?

The closest mountains to Nashville are the Great Smoky Mountains. However, the city is mostly surrounded by hills – which are better options for more accessible day trips. The Great Smoky Mountains are approximately 4 hours away from Nashville by car, making it advisable to visit as part of a long weekend rather than a day trip.

To Conclude: Hikes Near Nashville

Hiking near Nashville, Tennessee, is truly sublime. You’ll discover stunning hiking trails whether you head to East Nashville or embark on a more distant outdoor adventure. Nashville boasts some of the best hiking in the US, which is no small feat. Don’t merely tick off music attractions and call it a day – carve out time for these 15 best hiking trails in and around Nashville. Hiking trails serve as the perfect way to balance out the intensity of a city break.