The Best Hiking Trails for Seniors near Brentwood and Nashville

No exercise beats the exhilarating beauty, fresh air and natural setting of a hike. Witnessing the beautiful Tennessee scenery when you’re hiking in Nashville brings about a natural adrenaline rush that makes exercising fun. Treadmills don’t compare to the quality workout you get from hiking, and it’s a great way to get out of the house. You can go at your own pace and stop to take in the view, take a picture, and catch your breath when you want or need to. You can bring your dog so they can get their exercise in, too. At least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity five times a week is essential to your heart health, and hiking for seniors is an ideal way to maintain your health and wellness.

Residents fortunate enough to live in Brentwood, TN, have some of the best hiking near Nashville easily accessible. Tennessee has 56 state parks, one national park, and over 500 waterfalls, most of which are in the eastern part of the state. Brentwood’s trail system is a network of walking and biking paths interwoven throughout the town. Perhaps you’re new to the area, considering moving, and want to see what Brentwood has to offer. Maybe you’ve called Brentwood home for a long time and you’re wanting to incorporate the great outdoors into your fitness regimen. No matter the reason for your interest, this list summarizes the basics about hiking trails near Brentwood, TN, and the best hiking near Nashville to get you started. And they’re all within 30 minutes to a two-hour drive from Nashville and easily accessible for seniors.

10 Hikes for Seniors near Brentwood and Nashville

1. Cummins Falls — A popular swimming destination in the summer, a 3.2-mile round-trip hike to the eighth-largest waterfall in Tennessee and back. It’s dog friendly with a leash, but be prepared to come home with a muddy pup!
2. Fall Creek Falls  — A 256-foot waterfall awaits you at the peak of your hike. Situated on 26,000 acres of land are plenty of hiking trails and smaller waterfalls, offering rock climbing, swimming holes, camping, lodges, pools, and learning classrooms for the grandkids.
3. South Cumberland State Park — A state park divided into two sections: Savage Gulf, and Fiery Gizzard with a 12.5-mile one-way trail that connects the Grundy Forest and Foster Falls. Stop at any point and turn back to make it as long a hike as you want. During the journey, enjoy spectacular rock formations, cascading streams, waterfalls, rocky gorges, panoramic overlooks and lush woodlands. Backpacker Magazine deemed this one of the top 25 trails in the country — a must-do.
4. Short Springs Natural Area — Makes for a great day trip. Five miles worth of trails with five waterfalls, people enjoying a swimming hole if it’s rained recently, and lots of wildflowers.
5. Ozone Falls — Disney filmed scenes for “The Jungle Book” here, at its 110-foot waterfall where people swim in the summer.
6. Stillhouse Falls — Great for a half-day hike, just 1.1 miles round trip with a 75-foot waterfall to top off your experience.
7. Caney Fork Gorge/Downstream Trail, Rock Island State Park — Scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools and limestone paths. Try Lollipop hike, a 1.7-mile journey boasting 80-foot-long twin falls and a 30-foot great falls dam, great to post up and catch a few fish.
8. Cotton Field & Boundary Trail, Stones River National Battlefield — If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy this nearly 3-mile-long trail, rich in battle history with marked signs and cannons on display.
9. Ganier Ridge Loop Trail, Radnor Lake State Natural Area — If you need a break from the city without straying too far, this trail is perfect for you. There are several short, peaceful and beautiful hikes, and you’re likely to run into some wildlife.
10. Burgess Falls — Located on the Falling Water River, this park has four waterfalls, and the highest elevation point is 250 feet. It’s a great place to go fishing or have a picnic.

If you’re a nature lover, there are plenty of hiking options in and around Brentwood and Nashville. But you don’t have to venture too far. One thing that sets The Heritage at Brentwood® apart is the beautiful campus. There are 48 acres of tree-lined streets, landscaped lawns, flowering trees and colorful flower beds. Walking and biking paths connect Brentwood’s parks, trails and greenways. So when you’re a resident at The Heritage, the magnificence of nature is all around you. Check out a campus map of The Heritage to see for yourself.