Nashville TN Parks and Greenways - A series on Walking/Running/Biking in Middle Tennessee 
This is Part One of a 5 part Series designed to help you get to know the green spaces available here in Nashville and in the surrounding areas. Exercising is more and more becoming a family sport and knowing where to go can make it so much more enjoyable.
After training for the Country Music Half Marathon for the second time this year, I discovered that there are so many different places to get in a long run that many people don't know about. My trainer, Traci Calhoun, got me started with the running a couple of years ago
and SHE didn't know where to run. So here goes!
Stones River Greenway can be accessed from many different places. It runs along the river and over to Shelby Bottom in Downtown Nashville.
I start at Percy Priest Dam, just off I-40 east.
Exit at Stewarts Ferry Pike and head south to the light where Bell Road turns to go over the dam.
The parking lot and trailhead are on the left. You will be looking at the dam from the parking lot. Then follow the paved trail under the Interstate. The trail is very well marked at the .25 mile markers. It's wide enough to accomodate several walkers and still have room for bikes to pass.
If you're doing the entire greenway, it is 10 miles long and passes shopping, residential areas, a golf course, parks and schools until it ends near Opry Mills at the Cumberland River. You can now cross the river and continue through Shelby Bottoms.
OR if you're looking to get anywhere between 3 and 6 miles you can do either of the following:
You can stay to the right after the first 1.5 miles and you will continue running along the river until you reach the Kohls on Lebanon Road in Hermitage. There is another trailhead there. It's 3 miles one way. There's a pretty steep hill that will get your heart pumping. Then it's downhill for over 1/5 a mile, part of it on the boardwalk. It's a beautiful trail.
If you prefer a slightly easier and shorter route, follow the sign going left at the split that takes you to the YMCA on Lebanon Road. You still have some hills but not quite as steep and the length is 5 miles round trip.
About the Author:
Connie Harvey helps Buyers and Sellers with their Nashville TN Real Estate needs.
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Contact Connie at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or via email HarveyC@realtracs.com .
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