By Michelle Dickerson – Visit Clarksville
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Think you can only find beautiful hiking in East Tennessee? Granted, you won’t find those gorgeous mountain top views in Clarksville, but Middle Tennessee has plenty of hills, creeks and woods to give you a shorter challenging hike or scenic family stroll. Check out these options, all about 40 minutes northwest of Nashville.
- Dunbar Cave State Park
Dunbar Cave is one of Clarksville’s most popular outdoor spots for both visitors and residents. This 144-acre natural playground in the center of the city includes almost four miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, wildlife, and a newly updated Visitor Center. With the addition of a bridge across the lake, you can now loop around the cave entrance, over the water, and up and down hills to your heart’s content. Guided cave tours begin May 1, but fun programs and special events happen all throughout the year.
- The Clarksville Greenway
You’ll abandon the hurries of the city at the Clarksville Greenway. This 9-mile (but ever expanding) paved walking and biking trail along the Red River and West Fork Creek is a scenic spot with multiple entrance points that includes a variety of hills and flat sections. You’ll find it hard to believe you’re in the middle of town as you take in all the native species of plants and animals, bluff walls, tree canopies, overlooks, and a 600-foot pedestrian bridge. You can rent a B-Cycle, use the outdoor exercise equipment, and the flat paved sections are great for little ones still using training wheels.
- Rotary Park
Find six miles of hilly hiking at Rotary Park, a 111-acre natural area with, a creek, picnic areas, disc golf course and an ADA accessible playground. Trails are mostly heavily wooded with plenty of wildflowers, and the winding wide creek makes the area particularly scenic (plus it’s a fun way to cool down!) If you go early morning, know that trails are shared with mountain bikers.
- Billy Dunlop Park
The Red River wraps around the 30-acre Billy Dunlop Park. You can fish, swim, launch a kayak, picnic or enjoy a 2.2-mile walking trail in the tranquil setting. A picturesque bridge over the river is a highlight.
- Cumberland RiverWalk
Walking or hiking by water is the best! Clarksville’s RiverWalk is scenic, interesting, and popular along the spectacular Cumberland River. The Cumberland RiverWalk is a one-mile promenade with an extension that opened in 2018 connecting it all the way to the Red River Bridge. Make time for the family to enjoy the playground at McGregor Park and the As the River Flows interpretive center. You can also rent a B-Cycle.
- Upland Trail
Hiking in nature with woods is loads of fun, but urban hiking can be just as adventurous. The Upland Trail is still a well-kept secret that connects the Cumberland RiverWalk to downtown and Valley Brook Park via a Pedestrian Overpass. The Upland Trail is a system of extensions and spurs so you can start and stop at any number of places. You’ll see public art, historic buildings, cross a railroad trestle and explore for about five miles if you adjoin the RiverWalk to its end.