7 Of The Best Walks In Nashville

Whether you want to escape the city for a few hours or appreciate its beauty on foot, stretching your legs always feels like you’ve done something food. There are many walks in and around Nashville that give you a sense of accomplishment, let you breathe in the crisp, fresh air, spot wildlife, or just appreciate the city for its cosmopolitan charm. There’s always something new to discover, whether you’re a local or in town on the weekend. Here are seven of the best walks in Nashville.

1. Radnor Lake Trail

Length: 2.6 miles
Average duration: 50 minutes

This easy trail loops you around the beautiful Radnor Lake, offering gorgeous views of the glittering waters and the lush greenery that surrounds it. The trail is mostly unpaved apart from the final 1 mile. So, if you require an accessible path for wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or pushchairs, you might want to take the route counterclockwise and turn around when the paved path ends. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but only for the paved sections. It isn’t a particularly steep trail, but bare in mind that there are some steep sections. However you take the trail, you’ll love the beautiful scenery. There’s also lots of wildlife around, including turkeys, deer, chipmunks, and even armadillos.

2. Mossy Ridge Trail

Length: 5 miles
Average duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

This trail through Percy Warner Park is a moderate walk, with some steep and gradual inclines. You get a great sense of accomplishment after, the perfect way to kick off the weekend on a Saturday morning. Be sure to wear proper hiking boots – some of the sections are pretty rocky. And bare in mind that the humidity in Tennessee can get pretty intense – the route is mostly shaded, but be sure to bring lots of water. But if you’re up to the challenge, you’ll love this Nashville walk. The dense woodlands surrounding the trail are ethereal and serene.

3. Day Loop Trail

Length: 4 miles
Average duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Looping you through the Long Hunter State Park, the Day Loop Trail is a moderately challenging walk. You’ll pass the Percy Priest Lake along the way – the perfect opportunity to tuck into your packed lunch while enjoying the scenery. You’ll see plenty of dogs on this route, most of which find themselves jumping into the tempting lake sooner or later! You get several viewpoints of the lake from the trail taking you up and down, with a few rocky sections. As always, it’s best to wear hiking boots. All in all a well-marked, well-maintained dog-friendly trail with great views and a sense of accomplishment.

4. Hidden Lake Double Loop

Length: 2 miles
Average duration: 40 minutes

The Hidden Lake Double Loop is a fairly easy route. It’s a quick double-balloon trail taking you through Harpeth River State Park, passing along the river on the trail, with a small, serene lake as the payoff. It’s mostly a steady walk, but you can take a quick scramble up a cliff to get incredible views of the lake below. There are also some other steep inclines, but with a reward of idyllic scenery. Bare in mind that there aren’t many trail markers and there are lots of side areas to explore. You might want to follow a map to avoid getting lost.

5. Fort Negley Walking Trail

Length: 1 mile
Average duration: 25 minutes

The main draw to the Fort Negley Walking Trail is the view of the gorgeous Nashville skyline. Usually, you might have to put in a lot of work to get such a great city view, but this easy trail is paved and the incline is gradual. There are also benches along the way if you need a rest. It’s a short, easy, but beautiful walk. If you’re looking for walks in Nashville that aren’t too far out of the city but still within nature to kick off your weekend, this is a great option.

6. Edwin Warner Loop

Length: 2.4 miles
Average duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Looping you through Edwin Warner Park, this is an easy to moderate route with mostly paved paths. It’s also popular with joggers if you would prefer to pick up the speed. It’s nicely shaded pretty much the whole way, although water is always advised. There are some sections where the path isn’t paved, so it might get a little muddy. This route is particularly beautiful in Autumn when the foliage on the leaves bursts into oranges, reds, and yellows. It’s a peaceful, serene, and beautiful walk. Dogs are welcome on this trail – just be sure to keep them on their lead.

7. Downtown Nashville City Walk

Length: 1.8 miles
Average duration: 40 minutes

Nashville is a beautiful city, so what better way to see it than a walk through downtown? This route is particularly beautiful when the sun starts to set and the city lights start to sparkle. You walk alongside the river, cross the pedestrian bridge, and go all the way to Broadway. There’s always a buzzing and bustling feel to the city, no matter what day of the week. There’s always something going on along this walk, whether it’s buskers, food trucks, or pop-up bars, it’s absolutely one of the best walks in Nashville.