Nashville Favorites: Hikes

So, as I am processing our impending move, I am thinking through things we love about la vida Nashville. One thing is how easy it is to get to a good hike- even inside the Davidson County limits. So, here are the go-to getaways, all within an hour (or at least really close):

Favorite Unknown Spot: Beaman Park

This is our usual destination. It is north of town, an area we are so intrigued in. We would love to own land up there some day, but for now, we will get our hiking fix at this new park. Last year, the trails weren't even finished, but now there are more all the time. And fun creeks for the dogs to play in. There aren't many people up there, so you don't feel too bad letting the dogs off the leash. We hiked there when it snowed in January, there is always more ice up on the ridges north of Nashville.

Easiest: Shelby Bottoms

If only there was some way to count the number of Eichelsteps that have fallen here, especially with Bryce's running! If he is going farther than a couple of miles (and I have no idea when Bryce has only run 2 miles), he usually heads this direction and traces every inch of blacktop and some mudtop! We have walked, run, biked and carried a baby in a sling all over that place. We love getting all the way back to the pedestrian bridge. It is a beautiful view of the river and you can cross over to Wave Country and watch kids try to break their necks at the skate park there. We rode bikes over there when I was 6 months pregnant, which I don't recommend on a mountain bike. I kneed my belly with every pedal! Seriously, though, if I had a book of every lovely conversation I have had with friends in this park, I could re-read it monthly and have a perpetually warm heart.

Best Spandex and Range Rovers: Percy Warner Park

We hardly ever get out there these days, but we have run there to train for hilly races. There are so many people, but you really do feel out there once you get back in the woods, even though you are in the bellest of the Belle Meade!

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Like Comin' Home: Montgomery Bell State Park

I have no objectivity on this one, since I grew up a couple of miles away and caught crawdads in the creeks, and dirtied my bum on many a trail, but this is a great little park to get lost in. Beautiful lakes, historical stuff, great trails (even a couple of overnight ones) and the site of our wedding (just past the stone church in Church Hollow.) I really do love this place. If you drive there from Nashville, take the scenic route by getting off the interstate Bellevue and heading west on 70. You can stop at the Narrows of the Harpeth for a little swimmin' (or canoeing!... but that is a different favorites list) and eat at Carl's Perfect Pig in White Bluff for some barbecue.

Worth the Drive: Fiery Gizzard

It's a bit of a drive to near Monteagle, but you can be hiking in an hour and feel like you are in a different world. It is always a couple of degrees cooler back in those moss-covered ravines and there are so many good little swimming holes. We have driven there so many times, and also love to stop there on our way back from trips farther afield (like Atlanta). Also, the Stuckeys on the way back is my favorite truck stop ever and has great bathrooms, goo-goo clusters and chocolate malts.

I realize that we will have even better access to hiking in Western NC (like the AT!), but the geography of middle TN has built my own inner topography. With this fall weather falling upon us (in between muggy rain showers), you should probably get out there now!