One of my favorite places to run in Nashville is on the Greenway. The city has been doing a lot of work on this trail system to connect all of the greenway paths so that you can basically run as long as you could want. The Stones River Greenway trailhead is less than 10 minutes from my house and is currently under construction (eventually there will be a concession area, dog park, and kayak rental).
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| Trailhead has a backdrop of the Percy Priest Dam. |
There are always lots of people on the path - runners, walkers, dog walkers, and bikers. You can bring your own bike or rent one at a number of the trailheads along the greenway.
One of the best parts about the path is that it goes through so many different types of scenery: prairie, forest, golf courses, fields, and bridges. One of my favorite parts is this long dock that follows the river. There are usually all kinds of wildlife that you can see from this bridge.
There are also some more legitimate bridges that connect the path, but the best part is that there are no road crossings, which makes it really safe.
Over the bridge and along the river we go until you get to this property. There must be cows there somewhere because I can usually smell them, but I've never actually seen them.
The majority of the Stones River Greenway is heavily shaded, which makes it great all-weather running. It can be so green in the Spring and Summer and gets really beautiful when the leaves start to turn in the Fall.
This path has its fair share of hills - it's not for the faint of heart! There are even warning signs on some of the steepest inclines/declines!
Nashville is a great town with a lot of outdoor activities to offer, but this is my go-to place to run. If you're in town, check it out for any of your outdoor activities - walking, running, biking, kayaking ... just wave when you pass me on the trail!
Sure looks pretty. Is there water along the way or do you have to carry some hydration with you?
ReplyDeleteIt is really pretty - I'm spoiled! Right now, there aren't any many amenities, but the city is really working on this trail system. The trail head where I start is under construction - they are building a dog park, canoe rental, concessions, and bathrooms (hooray). Hopefully there is even more to come!
DeleteThat looks beautiful! We have a lot of green space too but it isn't always safe...is yours?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure any public place is 100% safe because there are always crazy people out there, but I have never felt unsafe on this trail. When I lived in Louisville, the there were areas of that public path that felt very unsafe, so I completely know what you mean!
DeleteI would love to run here with you! This reminds me of our rails to trails. I know we have aa Greenway here too somewhere. Do you think eventually they are all suppose to connect or does each state have their own?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be so cool if they all connected! I'm not sure they ever will though - Nashville has been working on connecting up all of the Greenway trails so that they are entirely continuous, but that's just one city. If rails to trails is anything like this, I'd love to run that with you too!
DeleteWow! Really cool pictures, Can you run there anytime you want? This looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is only open sunrise to sunset to keep people safe, but it is fun (and tough)!! Lots of people always on it - running, walking, biking, walking dogs - popular place for good reason.
DeleteThat looks amazing! The less I have to be on roadside or cross streets, the better!
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you - I really get nervous about sharing the road!
DeleteFirst of all, we love visiting Nashville. Secondly, the Stones River Greenway looks amazing. We have nothing like that around here. I bet it's going to be so pretty this fall!
ReplyDeleteNashville is so great - I do love living here! When Fall eventually gets here, it will be pretty (right now it feels like we might go straight from Summer to Winter)!
DeleteThat looks like such a great place to run! I wish we had places like that in Baltimore.
ReplyDeleteI do feel a little spoiled sometimes, but I wish there was generally a stronger running community here. Hopefully it will build into that!
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