Go take a hike! (Note: We mean that in the best possible way.) Middle Tennessee is full of beautiful places to get outside and enjoy nature. Here are a few of our favorites.
FOR NIGHT OWLS & NATURE LOVERS
Image: Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in Brentwood, TN offers 300 acres of hills, forests, creeks, ponds and meadows home to more than 2,000 species of local flora and fauna. It’s a lovely place to hike on your own anytime, but a couple of their guided tours caught our eye:
Fall Lantern Hikes. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds, then meet up with your group at sunset for a nighttime adventure in the woods by lantern light! It’s a 1.5-mile hike on a “moderately challenging natural surface trail.” Lanterns are provided. Friday, Oct. 2, Hike Time: 7 PM – 9 PM and Friday, Nov.6, Hike Time 6 PM – 8 PM. Cost: $18 per person. Ages 12+ only. Details and registration.
Fall Color Hikes. Follow an expert into the woods to see the beauty of Fall at Owl’s Hill. Walks are for adults and teens. Cameras and binoculars welcome. Oct. 17, 24 & 31; Nov. 7, 14 & 21. All hikes begin at 9:30 AM. Moderately strenuous. Cost: $15 per hiker, ages 14 & up. Details and registration.
FOR WATERFALL CHASERS
Image: Glenn Crowell, Facebook
If you’re looking for dramatic views and multiple waterfalls, the Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness area could be home to the hike for you. The caves are currently closed, but the trail goes by boulder fields, sinks (not the kitchen kind) and more. It’s located between Sparta and Crossville and adjacent to the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, which we’re told also has some great trails.
Note: This is not a casual stroll in the woods. The Virgin Falls website suggests allowing 5-9 hours of hiking time, starting early so you don’t run out of daylight and bringing appropriate food, water and clothing.
FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Image: National Park Service
Stones River National Battlefield. The site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War offers seven miles of trails that vary from paved to challenging woodland walks. Guided tours are available. The Visitors Center is open 10 AM – 4 PM, Fridays to Mondays, at 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Preservation Park. Another former battlefield; this one the site of the Battle of Thompson’s Station. It features miles of hiking trails, including the 3.4-mile Battlefield Trail with markers that will take you to the top of a hill for an amazing 360-degree view. 1600 Thompson’s Station Rd W, Thompson’s Station, TN 37179.
FOR FRANKLIN FANS
Image: City of Franklin
Pinkerton Park / Fort Granger. With the Harpeth River on one side and Fort Granger on another, Pinkerton Park offers a scenic one-mile walk on a paved path. Next door at Fort Granger you can enjoy a .7-mile walking trail that leads to “spectacular” views of Franklin. Pinkerton Park is located at 405 Murfreesboro Rd, and you’ll find Fort Granger just behind it at 113 Fort Granger, both in Franklin, TN.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. There’s a lot to see and enjoy at this 200-acre park, including walking and hiking trails, a three-acre fishing pond, historic barns and homes, and a dog park where you can relax and Fluffy can play after your hike. 239 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064.
FOR SERIOUS HIKERS (AND THEIR FRIENDS)
Image: @wolf_of_the_pines
Once upon a time there was South Cumberland State Park. Nowadays, that park is three different state parks and all of them have a wide variety of trails rated from easy to difficult.
Fiery Gizzard State Park. The most famous of the three may be Fiery Gizzard, named after its nationally recognized trail. It offers 20-plus total miles of hiking trails ranging from quarter-mile to almost 13-mile treks. You’ll see waterfalls, an old coal mining area and glorious views, as shown in the photo above.
Savage Gulf State Park. The name may be a clue that Savage Gulf offers several challenging trails for overnight or extended hikes. They have easy and moderate routes, too. For example, the moderate Laurel Falls Loop Trail is “a short loop leading to a beautiful 25-foot waterfall.” Bonus: it starts next to a Ranger station.
Head of the Crow. The newest Tennessee state park—not even a year old—also has multiple trails for both seasoned and beginning hikers. Any hiker might enjoy one of the “easy” options: Natural Bridge Trail features a 25-foot-high natural sandstone arch that provides a scenic overlook of Lost Cove. The park is also home to the extremely rare Painted Tigersnail. Will you spot one?
Before you set out on any hike, be sure you’re dressed appropriately for the terrain and weather, have plenty of water/snacks and make sure someone knows where you’re going. Then go have an adventure!
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