Five Hikes Near Nashville
Today is National Take a Hike Day. So to celebrate the great outdoors and all things I love, here are five hikes within a 90 minute drive of Nashville.
Window Cliffs (Baxter, TN)
A hidden gem I found about an hour and 15 minutes outside Nashville. Clocking in at just over 5 miles round-trip, this is an out and back trail that you’ll want to make it through to the end for the view. Also, there are 9 water crossings, so be prepared with water shoes or to get your feet wet - there is no going around. So if you’re up for an adventure that includes water crossings, a waterfall AND a view atop rocks, check this one out.
(Window Cliffs is also near Burgess Falls State Park, if you wanted to tack that one onto this trip as well!)Winding Stairs (Lafayette, TN)
As you’re driving through the field to get to Winding Stairs, it doesn’t look like there could be much of anything. But the terrain changes dramatically to include a small canyon with rock formations and cascading waterfalls. Clocking in at just over an hour drive from Nashville, you’ll find up to 5 miles of hiking trails at Winding Stairs with a variety of options - take the winding stairs down into the basin and play in the water, hike around the rim to see some pretty views, ascend the rather steep Jacob’s Ladder.
Hidden Lake (Nashville, TN)
This one-mile loop is just 20 minutes from downtown Nashville making it the closest of my top five. But it does not disappoint. It’s a little gem nestled within the Harpeth River State Park system that offers a short trail to a small lake and then off-shoots that take you up the top of a ridge where you can find the remains of an old marble dance floor - part of the 1940's resort that existed there.
Fiery Gizzard Trail (Tracy City, TN)
This trail in South Cumberland State Park is a 90 minute drive from Nashville and is a more strenuous, 13-mile long trail system that passes by several waterfalls. From Tracy City, you can just do the 2-mile Grundy Forest loop and see two waterfalls - Hanes Hole Falls and Blue Hole Falls. Or travel further and see even more!
Old Stone Fort (Manchester, TN)
If you’re looking for a chill hike through the forest with rich history and some water features, Old Stone Fort is the place. The main hiking trail follows the “wall” of Old Stone Fort which was used by the Native Americans as a ceremonial gathering place some 1,500 - 2,000 years ago. Situated between the Big Duck and Little Duck rivers, there are a variety of cascading waterfalls along the trail. And at just an hour southeast of Nashville and not far off I-24, it’s easy to get to.