There’s no denying it – Nashville is a beautiful city. There are tons of parks in and around the city that are perfect for exploring the great outdoors and even getting some good exercise while you’re at it. Taking long hikes through the wilderness, though, can be tough, especially if you’ve got a full family of young ones in tow. Thankfully, Nashville has plenty of opportunities for families as well. These trails are all short ones, and most are paved, making them great for toddlers and strollers alike. So grab the kids, get out there, and adventure! Here are some of the best hikes in Nashville for families with little ones:

1. Edwin Warner Park Nature Loop
Percy Warner Park, 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
Michael Hicks - Flickr
The Edwin Warner Park Nature Loop is perfect for families at just under 3/4 of a mile. There's also a small creek along the trail and an educational nature book that accompanies the trail, highlighting flowers, trees, and other plants for kids to spot and learn about.
2. Cedars of Lebanon State Park Limestone Sinks Trail
Limestone Sinks Trail, Tennessee 37090, USA
Michael Hicks - Flickr
The cool part about the Limestone Sinks Trail is that there are three large rock formations along the trail, but the trail is only an easy half-mile loop. It's the perfect spot to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air.
3. Shelby Bottoms Park Trails
Mark Spangler/Flickr
Shelby Bottoms Park allows for a lot of short trail options for families. You can park at the southern end in East Nashville and walk the loops down there, or you can park in Two Rivers and walk an out-and-back to the bridge. Both are short options and are great for kids.

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4. Deerwood Arboretum Trail
Deerwood Arboretum, 320 Deerwood Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027, USA
City of Brentwood - Facebook
This loop in Brentwood is just under a mile and is a great option for kids. The paved trail features beautiful Tennessee wildflowers and also has other activities along the trail.
5. Montgomery Bell State Park Jim Bailey Nature Trail
Montgomery Bell State Park, 1020 Jackson Hill Rd, Burns, TN 37029, USA
Michael Hicks - Flickr
The Jim Bailey Trail is a great loop for families, measuring just over half of a mile. The trail winds through the dense forest of the park and offers plenty of opportunities for kids to learn about nature.
6. Long Hunter State Park Deer Trail
Long Hunter State Park, 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076, USA
Michael Hicks - Flickr
The Deer Trail at Long Hunter State Park starts at the Nature Center, which is a great spot to pick up more info for the kiddos to learn. As you'd expect from the name, the trail features a variety of wildlife, including deer and even wild turkey!
7. Edwin Warner Park Hungry Hawk Trail
Percy Warner Park, 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
idintify media - Flickr
Another great family-friendly trail in Edwin Warner Park, the Hungry Hawk Trail is a half-mile out-and-back trail that is just the perfect length to explore with little ones.

Need some fuel for your hike? Try out these great breakfast tacos new to Nashville. What hikes in Nashville would you call the best hikes in Nashville? Tell us about them in the comments!

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Best Hikes in Nashville

Tori Jane | April 25, 2022

What are some of the best scenic hikes around Nashville?  

Nashville, Tennessee is a beautiful city that doesn’t seem to get enough credit for its otherworldly beauty. While it may be famous for being the birthplace of (and still home to) country music, it gets less attention for its awesome hiking trails. Some of our favorite scenic hikes in Nashville include wonderful gems like the Radnor Lake Loop, which is just 11 miles from Nashville and features a lake of the same name. The trail is a 2.4-mile loop around the lake, and it’s sure to thrill anyone looking for a beautiful – but mostly easy – daytime hike. 26 miles from Nashville you’ll find the Narrows of the Harpeth Trail, which is just 1.1 miles long and considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Tennessee. That one’s great for kids, too! Finally, 24 miles from Nashville, you’ll find the Volunteer Trail Day Loop at Long Hunter State Park. It’s just under four miles in length and features a truly incredible waterfall that’s sure to thrill.  

What are the best-ever easy hikes in Nashville?  

With lots of hiking trails come plenty of options for easy hikes, and Nashville has lots! Some of our all-time favorite easy hikes in Nashville include gems like the River Trail, at Burgess Falls State Park. It’s a trail that leads to the aforementioned waterfall on which you’ll encounter three additional waterfalls along the way: Falling Water Cascades, Little Falls, and Middle Falls. It’s 1.6 miles round-trip and a true delight! For a little added oomph, you’ll see signs for the Base of Falls Trail at the end of River Trail. It’s an additional 0.8 miles of waterfall delightfulness, and it adds lots of extra value to your already-epic day. We also love the Hidden Lake Double Loop at Harpeth River State Park; it’s 1.9 miles long and features a very cute lake surrounded by a delightful little woodsy trail. Finally (but not least!), check out Mossy Ridge and Percy Warner Horse Trail Loop, which is lovely (and not limited to only our equestrian friends). It’s longer, at 7.9 miles, but we think you’ll be so distracted by the scenery that the length feels like nothing at all. 

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