Nashville Parks and Greenways - Part 3 on Where to Walk/Run/Bike in Nashville TN
The Warner Parks are my personal favorite for all round family activities in the Nashville area. Made up of Percy Warner Park on the North side of Old Hickory Blvd and Edwin Warner Park on the South side. Collectively they have 2684 acres and are the home of over 400 species of wildflowers and 110 species of trees.
Founded in 1927 with the original donation of 868 acres by Colonel Luke Lea, the son-in-law of Percy Warner a long time Chairman of the Nashville Park Board. His brother Edwin Warner became Chairman after his death and was the driving force toacquire more land and develop the parks. Together they make up the largest city park in the state of Tennessee.
Parts of the paved surfaces are open to vehicles and others are not. The speed limit is 20 MPH so walkers and runners need not fear encountering a racing car.
There are Many different loops with different degrees of difficulty though all are hilly. The most popular are the 2.1 mile loop in Edwin Warner, the 1.8 and the 5.8 in Percy Warner. And for the diehards there is also an 11.2 in Percy Warner that you follow by following the signs for the Main Drive.
This is the one park that it is possible to get lost on these paved trails. There are signs throughout, but it is worth your while to make sure you know when to turn and in which directions. This is especially true if you are not used to long distances of traveling up and down hills.
Though this series is on Walking, Running and Biking, the parks offer much more than just that. 
There are horseback riding trails throughout the hills in Percy Warner, two golf courses, the Steeple Chase, Picnic pavilions throughout both and the Nature Center located near the corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Hwy 100 in Edwin Warner Park. Don't forget the Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon!
So go ahead, put your running shoes on, or just pack a lunch and load up the kids for a great day out in the park!
Nashville TN Parks and Greenways part 1
Nashville TN Parks and Greenways part 2
About the Author:
Connie Harvey helps Buyers and Sellers with their Nashville TN Real Estate needs.
Search for homes in Nashville TN
Contact Connie at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or via email HarveyC@realtracs.com .
Search for Homes in Nashville TN
Follow my blog Nashville Tennessee Living
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.
Search for Homes in Nashville TN
Search for Homes in Brentwood TN
Connie--I have never been to Nashville, but would love to walk. I will keep these parks in mind for future trip as we love driving trips. Last winter Hubby & I drove west to IN then south to Florida before turning up the east coast to home Erie, PA. We made seven visits with family & friends.
Mary - The Warner Parks are beautiful to drive through too! Our favorite picnic area is near the back and it takes at least 10 minutes of driving through the park to get to it!
Connie, I LOVE what you have brought to your clients and people in Nashville with this series. It is just wonderful. Anyone who's been procrastinating about getting more physical activity will have so much to choose from they will definitely get off the couch! Well done!
Connie....how beautiful!!! Be sure to remind me of this when I come for a visit....I'll want to drive the parts that you can drive, and walk some (if we have time!)
Nice local post !
Pamela - thank you so much. You are always more than kind. I have always loved walking and hiking with my husband. 2 years ago I turned 50 and decided to run/walk the Country Music Half Marathon. This year, I did it again and now I'm hooked. Finding new places to go is a passion!
Thom - I promise WE WILL get out and walk some. There is nothing like walking along this road and seeing a deer watching you just 10 feet into the woods!
I like those "fence posts" in those top two pictures. To heck with the road; I want to walk through the one on the left.
Connie Nashville certainly is a walker's paradise - this was and is a worthwhile series Karen
Russel - The stone entrances and many of the stone walls throughout both parks were built with the "stimulus money" the government spent after the depression. Many are still in very good condition.
Karen - thank you so much. Tennessee is still one of the nation's Fatest! I hope more people will see that getting outside can be very rewarding!
Ha! Great minds. . . . .
I'm working on a post for walking trails in Loudoun County VA.
Connie, wow that is one place I would love to walk. gorgeous.
Of course ANYWHERE in Tn would be nice to me.
Connie, Cool areas to go. I really like Percy Werner. We are really blessed to have such a wonderful set of park systems here in our are...
Helping YOU live YOUR American dream...
Lenn - I have 2 more to add to this series. I got busy with our family reunion and didn't get them done. I'll have to do that this weekend!
Missy - I ran this morning on the Stone Rivers Greenway in a section I had not been on before. It was so beautiful and quiet. There's a lot out there is you know where to look.
Michael - My husband and I used to hike at the Warner Parks all the time. I've always loved it there.
Hi Connie - I did a couple of posts on walking trails here, they didn't get a lot of views or clicks. As I am looking at yours, I see why. Mine were b-o-r-i-n-g......
Great pictures and description - really gives a feel for the hiking and walking trails in Warner Parks - Tennesse is a beautiful state, makes you want to be outside, I bet.
Virginia - I can't imagine your blogs being boring. Tennessee really is beautiful and the Nashville parks and Greenways rock!
Just love Percy Warner Park, and it is good to see so many enjoy the natural beauty around Nashville.
I have my walking shoes on...this is gorgeous! Love the stone structures very much. Excellent research and wonderful info for the local community. Happy Day to you in Brentwood, TN! :-)
Great series Connie! We are fortunate to live in a state filled with lots beautiful parks.