The heart of Nashville is crawling with bars, boots, and bachelorettes, but anyone can escape the traffic by heading to one of these 5 beautiful nearby waterfalls.
Cummins Falls
Located in Cookeville, the trail is about 2 miles depending which route you take. You can shave about a half mile away by skipping the overlook. The hike is not too difficult, but be careful. It is downhill all the way to the falls, which means uphill all the way back and it contains several stream crossings which can lead to slippery paths.
Machine Falls
The falls are located near Tullahoma, TN or about an hour and a half from Nashville. The loop can actually reach three different falls or you can opt for only one. It is about 1.6 miles long and can be steep in places, but stairs have been installed in the steepest parts. We recommend wearing shoes that can get wet because you’ll want to wade through the water to get to the bottom of the falls.
Fall Creek Falls
Tennessee’s largest and most visited state park. It is located in Spencer, TN it is about a 2 hour drive from Nashville and well worth it. The waterfall is 256ft tall and can be seen from an overlook or you can venture down to the bottom. It is a short 0.4 mile hike to the bottom, but the terrain makes it difficult.
Fiery Gizzard
Home to Foster Falls and several small loops, falls, and swimming holes. The hike to Foster Falls is about 5 miles out and back and passes several waterfalls and overlooks. Fiery Gizzard has many trails of different difficulties and distances. Located in Sequatchie, TN this waterfall is about an hour and 45 minutes from Nashville.
Rutledge Falls
Privately owned in Tullahoma, TN. It’s a short 0.4 mile out and back hike to the waterfall and swimming hole. The water is cold making it the perfect break from the summer heat. Rutledge Falls is about an hour and a half away from Nashville.
Written by Melissa Summitt
