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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Connie Harveyis a local agent with Pilkerton Realtors, serving home buyers and sellers in Nashville, TN, Brentwood TN, and Franklin TN. Let her help you realize your Real Estate goals. She can be reached at 615-371-2474.
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Great post Connie! It was great to see you the other day!
Good info for runners, hikers and folks who love to stay fit. Nice local information.
Connie, that bridge with the trees is so relaxing...
Emily - Thank you! I loved seeing you too. I have your pony-tail holder!! Let's do lunch.
Lenn - Thanks, I love the outdoors. It's funny how many people don't know where these great parks/greenways are. Our Mayor is very dedicated to connecting them throughout the city.
Gary - It's one of my favorite places to run. I have a friend who lives on that side of town and we run there every Thursday. We alternate the routes to mix it up.
Terrific information! I walk and ride in a number of our local parks and did our 40 mile Cross County Trail in the spring by bike.
Nice info for the local walkers Connie !
I wish our area had more places to walk and ride. Unfortunately the area has not done much planning in that regard.
Connie: great way to showcase the local area. I will have to go see the first 4 post.
Great idea for a series, Connie. This is something that people can use year round and should appeal to a wide range of readers/walkers/runners/bikers.
Great info. . you have taken the time to put together something that would benefit the residents of your local area. . great job!
Connie, this is a cool greenway. Great idea for a series. BTW Congratulations on the feature...
Helping YOU live YOUR American dream...
Morning Connie,
Thanks for sharing. Good post and Localism information. Reminds me of the bike trails we rode on campus when we lived up north.
Cindy - 40 miles. Good for you! I'm not a big biker, but I love to walk and run. I also like a little variety so I hit different trails, parks and greenways. It keeps them interesting. :)
Sheldon - thank you! I hope it helps the locals!
Damon - we have been very fortunate with the last 3 mayors. They are very forward thinking and I think it will make a huge difference years from now. It already has, as far as I'm concerned.
John - thanks. I wanted to do something about the tax incentive for first time homebuyers, and I still might. But this seemed a little more fun. :)
Michael - Good Morning, glad to see you! I would have never expected this to make a feature!
Hal - and they keep extending them is what excites me about the city!
Roland - sorry I almost missed you! This is the first post. There will be 4 more on other great places to walk/run/bike.
Fernando - Thank you. I hope it's helpful to others here in the area.
Connie, I grew up in McMinnville, Tennessee. Wish I could join you for the walk but my walk along the beach here on the island of Bogue Banks is pretty special too. Good luck to you.
Marian - OOOOH I could so take the beach right now! :)
Xonnie, excellent idea for a series. I love walking and enjoying walking up and down the hills in my neighborhood.
Rebecca - me too! Can't seem to get enough exercise these days!
Connie Like you we have many lovely walking and biking areas - excellent post Karen
Very nice pics Connie! And blog for that matter! :) I love Nashville! :)
Thank You Connie .. you have given me some Fantastic marketing ideas for my area!!!
Thank You Connie .. you have given me some Fantastic marketing ideas for my area!!!
Karen - thank you! You're always so kind to read my blog!
Tonya - Being the exercise person you are, you probably already frequent these places!
Pippa - we can all use some ideas. That's the beauty of AR!
Well, it looks like my leader beat me here - excellent localism post Art
Art - doesn't matter who gets here first as long as you all come to visit! LOL
Connie...
I can't wait to see you write on with your new found knowledge of color :)
TLW...ROAR!
Connie, great localism post. Pam and I will have to add this to our next trip to Nashville.
TLW - I love it! I can't wait to use it in my blogs now! You and your crap color!!!! LOL
Tim and Pam - I have several other great places that will be featured in this series. Please check back!
Connie - This is a GREAT idea for a series of posts. A terrific way to inform not only visitors but our fellow Nashvillians of their surroundings and the beauty of Middle Tennessee. Thanks for sharing!
Great idea for a series Connie. So many beautful places and things to do in Middle Tennessee. Great to see you at our seminar last week too. I hope we can do more of those.
Kenneth - Since you'll be training with me next spring for the half marathon, this will be good information for you and you can get a heads start!
Mike - I really enjoyed the seminar. Keep me on your list for people who want to attend. I'll happily come to another one!
Hey Connie! I love this series! The photos are beautiful, and you've done a fabulous job with the information and details. Makes me want to take a trip up to Nashville! (I miss Tennessee!)
Patty, if you can't come to Tennessee, I hope you're planning to go to the ReBar Camp in Raleigh in November!
Since I can swim to my house from the Percy Priest dam, I thought I would tell you I like the info you've provided. Now, can you get me to actually go walk or run on the greenway? So far I've only been able to loose a pound, which I guess is not bad since I only think about running the greenway!
Verlyn - walking is just as effective. But you have to DO IT! We have now done the part near the Wave Pool that runs along the golf course. That's pretty cool too.