This is a pleasant running route that combines a loop around Centennial Park with the campus of Vanderbilt University, located in midtown Nashville. We suggest create your own route, based on our suggestions below.
Start in Centennial Park, an urban park that’s home to Nashville’s Parthenon — a replica of the Athenian Parthenon and featuring American art galleries. This park is also a scene for local musicians, food trucks and hipster locals. After the ~1.5 mile loop around the park’s pleasant paths is ~1.5 miles, including the lake right next to the Parthenon, cross West End Ave. to the university.
Vanderbilt Campus. CC 2.0
The 300-acre Vanderbilt campus is a gem, doubling as an arboretum, with 190 species of trees. The nicest sections for running are the main academic quad at the northeast section of campus, south of West End Ave. and inside 21st Ave S. You can also cross 21st Ave. to do a loop around The Commons. And there’s a running track in the Athletics complex just south of Vanderbilt Stadium.
Add-Ons: The neighborhood west of 21st Ave S. and south of Blakemore Ave. is nice for running, with tree-shaded streets and older, grand homes.
This is a pleasant running route that combines a loop around Centennial Park with the campus of Vanderbilt University, located in midtown Nashville. We suggest create your own route, based on our suggestions below.
Start in Centennial Park, an urban park that’s home to Nashville’s Parthenon — a replica of the Athenian Parthenon and featuring American art galleries. This park is also a scene for local musicians, food trucks and hipster locals. After the ~1.5 mile loop around the park’s pleasant paths is ~1.5 miles, including the lake right next to the Parthenon, cross West End Ave. to the university.
Vanderbilt Campus. CC 2.0
The 300-acre Vanderbilt campus is a gem, doubling as an arboretum, with 190 species of trees. The nicest sections for running are the main academic quad at the northeast section of campus, south of West End Ave. and inside 21st Ave S. You can also cross 21st Ave. to do a loop around The Commons. And there’s a running track in the Athletics complex just south of Vanderbilt Stadium.
Add-Ons: The neighborhood west of 21st Ave S. and south of Blakemore Ave. is nice for running, with tree-shaded streets and older, grand homes.
Essentials
Centennial Park is a ~1.5 mile loop. Add with Vanderbilt campus, residentoial neighborhood south of Blakemore.
An overview of some of Nashville's prettiest residential neighborhoods for running, adapted from Neighborhoods.com: Belle Meade, Belmont-Hillsboro, Sylvan Park, and East Nashville. Pretty streets, homes, history.
A tour of downtown, several 'country music' sights, and paths/greenways, including the Cumberland River Greenway and the East Bank Greenway. Shorter & longer versions, all accessible from downtown. Cherry blossoms in spring!
A flat, 6.6 mile one-way trail, between the Country Music Hall of Fame, north to Rhodes Park. Some parts alongside the road and some on the river, with options to cross over to the east side in sections.
A great tour of some of the music landmarks of Nashville, including Music Square East and West, the Wyatt Center, and Owen Bradley Park. Campus of Vanderbilt University is a nice add-on.
2600 acres of forest and field located minutes south of downtown. The historic entrance is marked by “The Allee”, an impressive set of stone steps, leading to great views of the Nashville skyline. Can also connect to Harpeth River Greenway. Popular 11.2 mile road loop option.
A beautiful, paved trail with impressive views of the Cumberland River. Keep your eye out for Spot Opryland’s General Jackson Riverboat. A good option on a hot day.
A multi-use trail that runs parallel to the Stones River for much of its length. 12 miles east of downtown and 5 miles south of the airport, and connects to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway.
One of many of Nashville’s evolving system of greenways, about 15 minutes West of downtown. The multi-use trail loops around McCabe Park, along Richland Creek, and a section cool for railroad buffs.
A multi-use trail in the city of Brentwood, features rolling hills and a wide, paved path. Includes River Park, a section along the Little Harpeth River, and Crockett Park.
Three multi-use trails in cities north of Nashville that are nice for running: the 4.5 mile Hendersonville Greenway along the Columbia River through two parks; the 3.8 mile White House Greenway, and the 2.5 mile Springfield Greenway.
This historic town 20 miles south of Nashville has some nice running! Combine Pinkerton Park, Fort Granger, downtown, & the Franklin Greenway for an 8-miler. The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is a historic horse farm with a 5k soft track across rolling farmland.
Run the section of this 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive that passes close to Nashville. The road is also a designated cycling road, so it's runnable. Pretty views and foliage. A dirt trail runs alongside the road from Franklin to Garrison Creek.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Subscribe
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Essentials
Centennial Park is a ~1.5 mile loop. Add with Vanderbilt campus, residentoial neighborhood south of Blakemore.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!