Located on the Cumberland River in the north-central part of Tennessee, fast-growing Nashville is a center for the music, healthcare, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and home to numerous colleges and universities. The opportunities for running in Nashville continue to get better, with an expanding network of paths and trails, and a vibrant running scene. A big thank you to Fleet Feet Nashville for their help with this guide!
The best places to run in Nashville include almost 80 miles of greenway trails along the Cumberland River, connecting city parks and trails, and the iconic Centennial Park. Runners will also enjoy ‘sightrunning’ tour of Music Row! We’ve also included a guide to some gorgeous neighborhoods for running in Nashville, courtesy of Neighborhoods.com. Just north of Nashville, we’ve included greenway paths in Hendersonville, White House, and Springfield. In historic Franklin, 20 miles south of Nashville, there’s lovely running around parks, the Franklin Greenway, and a historic horse farm. Runners should also check out a section of the Natchez Trace Parkway, which starts just southwest of Nashville.
Some of our favorite Nashville runs are accessible from downtown, but anything outside the city center generally requires a car as the transportation system is not extensive. There is a good bus and trolley system but no rail or metro. The airport is only 15–20 minutes from downtown. Note that summers in Nashville are hot and humid!
