Hiking Spots Near Middle Tennessee You Need to Visit

Whether you're an avid expert, a weekend warrior, or a newbie looking to pickup a new hobby, give these trails a try.

If you're from Tennessee, you know that we can have some crazy weather. But just keep a rain jacket, a coat, and some flip flops with you in your car, and get over it, because we have some beautiful views to boot. Below, I have listed some great hikes for all levels of expertise, and types of views/attractions. Also, I like to use the All Trails app, which is a much more comprehensive list of trails with even more information and reviews on trails from all over the country!

“The All Trails app is what I use to find new trails, record and get stats (elevation, miles, calories burned, etc) of my trips, write reviews, and plan for future trips.”

Top 5 Waterfall-based Hike Picks:

1. Virgin Falls

This is a gorgeous ~8 mile there-and-back hike that is heavily trafficked, but the end-point is so worth it. The trail is rated as hard, and I would like to say it is not so kid or pet friendly, however, we saw plenty of both. So, get some good boots, bring plenty of water and some snacks, and try to visit within the March to August range (too late in the year, and waterfalls dry up, too early, not enough greenery). At the mid-point (when you reach the waterfall, make sure to take the trail that goes up and behind the falls, and there is a cave that blasts you with fresh cold air (which feels amazing in the summer)).

2. Rock Island State Park

Not much of a hike.... like at all (it's right off of the parking lot), however, this is a beautiful waterfall, very family-friendly, and a lot of "bang for your buck". There is a hike associated with it (about ~3 miles of there and back, but not much more that you can see besides what is right off of the parking lot).

3. Machine Falls Loop Trail

This is a good hike for mild-to-moderate beginners; it is a ~4 mile loop near Tullahoma which has a beautiful large waterfall which you can climb up (carefully) and have lunch at the top or hang a hammock near the bottom and hangout. Go in the spring for beautiful wild flowers.

4. Burgess Falls Trail

Very easy hike with several beautiful falls - ~1 mile heavily trafficked there and back. Very family friendly - with nice bathrooms and a playground at the head of the trail.

5. Greeter and Board-Tree Falls

Within South Cumberland State Park and Fall Creek Falls park is the beautiful Greeter and Board-Tree Falls (it's a 2-in-1!). There is a parking lot with a very short hike near Greeter Falls, and another one near Board-Tree Falls, which is about a 1-2 mile hike there and back to see both falls. We came from the BCG/BCR/Stone Door trail head and made our way to both of these falls, which ended up being about ~11 miles total.

Top 5 View-based Hike Picks:

1. BCG-BCR and Stone Door Trails

This trail is not for the faint of heart. Big-Creek Gulf, Big Creek Rim, and Stone door trails is a ~10 mile (with off-shoot trails to other waterfalls) moderately trafficked difficult trail. This was my boyfriend and I's first long trail, that we were not expecting, and not exactly prepared for. However, this was an absolutely gorgeous trail! It has everything you could want and need. With several gorgeous overlooks, river beds, climbs, rocky and forest trails, stone-stairs, water falls, and so much more! We went in late May, and would highly recommend you do the same!

2. Firey Gizzard Trail

Firey Gizzard gets its' tantalizing name for a reason. This ended up being a ~14 mile difficult trail for us. Raven's point offered up a beautiful lookout point near the end of the trail. There was riverbeds to walk by much of the time, several nice waterfalls, climbs, rock and forest trails, and so much more. Highly recommend! Bring plenty of reinforcements!

3. Black Mountain Trail

This was an absolutely gorgeous fall hike for us! There were very few people doing the whole trail (up the mountain, around the loop, and back down the mountain), and there was a good amount of over-growth, but the top-of-the-mountain views were absolutely worth the climb! This ended up being an ~ 8 mile lightly trafficked trail with a good amount of elevation, and gorgeous views. Not much water involved later in the year, but still a great trail!

4. Window Cliffs Trails

This was a bit of a shorter day hike, with just 5.2 miles there-and-back, there is a beautiful waterfall and overlook involved.

5. Snow Falls Trail

Snow falls trail is part of the Cumberland Trail, and was a good hike; ended up being a 7.8 mile there and back lightly trafficked trail. At some point, the trail got overtaken by a fallen tree, and we lost our way for a bit, but realized our mistake on the way back down. So be careful with the markings. The mid-point/top of the mountain offered up another great overlook.

BONUS: Bee Rock Overlook

Somewhere near Cookeville and want a quick and beautiful overlook?? Try out Bee Rock Overlook! Right off of the interstate, and less than a mile total there and back trail with gorgeous gorge overlooks! Tons of bang for your buck. Kid friendly, but be careful with kids on the ledge!!

Follow me on Instagram for more hikes and great pictures. Follow me on All Trails for more stats and recordings and to follow which trails we do next!

Thanks for reading!

-Haley

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