If you are wondering where to ride bike in Nashville, the city and surrounding areas offer more than just casual rides. From the greenway trails at Shelby Bottoms and the Cumberland River Greenway system to the winding paths of Percy Warner park, every location has its own charm with varied length, elevation, and scenic surprises. Many riders also explore the Natchez Trace Pkwy for a rural recreational ride that stretches for miles and feels like a getaway within Middle Tennessee. Whether you are a local cyclist or a visiting rider, these safe cycling routes and bike-friendly trails connect parks, roads, and open spaces that make recreational riding feel both adventurous and personal.
📍 Most Important
Is Nashville a Bike Friendly City?
No, Nashville is not bike-friendly for everyday cycling. The city holds a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community award (renewed 2024) for 100+ miles of greenways like Shelby Bottoms and Stones River, plus recreational trails. However, cycling remains dangerous: 6% of streets cause 60% of serious crashes, and cyclists represent 2% of traffic deaths despite being only 0.3% of commuters.
Nashville Bike Environment: Infrastructure Growth, Safety Gaps, and Clubs
When people ask if Nashville is a bike-friendly city Infrastructure wise, the truth depends on where you ride and how much transit you mix with cycling. The infrastructure has grown with greenways, parks, and bike-friendly routes, but everyday roads remain shaped by a car-centric community where non-car modes still raise concern. Compared to peer cities, there are gaps, but areas like Radnor Lake, Edwin Warner Park, and Two Rivers Park give a strong base for recreational riding. Many cycling clubs such as the Harpeth Bike Club and nashvillebikefun organize scheduled rides across Nashville, Franklin, and other towns in Middle TN, often covering varied routes with different length and elevation. For visiting cyclists, the mix of cities, surrounding suburbs, and nearby vehicular roads can be a surprise, yet the mix of urban area riding and long rural recreational rides on the Natchez Trace Pkwy shows how the city balances growth and cycling culture over timeBest Nashville Cycling Routes
I ride all over the city and have contacted fellow cyclists to discover Nashville’s best cycling gems. After logging countless miles on both road bike and mountain bike, exploring every stretch from downtown areas to mountain bike trails, I’ve found the perfect routes for every cyclist. From pretty Greenway paths that offer hour-long peaceful rides near the dam to challenging trails throughout the city, this guide shares the best route options I’ve personally tested. I’ll help you navigate which bike lanes and roads are your best bet – and which hostile stroad stretches to avoid. These suggested routes come from myself and fellow Nashsee riders through our posts, ensuring you get the most authentic local knowledge for your next ride.
West End to Warner Parks Scenic Loop
The West End to Warner Park loop has become one of my favorite rides because it feels both familiar and new each time. Starting near the West End, I roll past Elmington Park and a few city parks before easing into Forest Hills, where the trail shows those quiet tree lined streets, older houses, and wide open golf views that make the ride feel personal. It is always pleasant and fun as the path stretches into Percy Warner Parks, Edwin Warner Parks, and Warner Park, with their hundreds of acres, rolling hills, flat stretches, and that steady mild grade climb that gives the route its rhythm whether I take a mountain biking line or just enjoy a casual spin. Riding through Belle Meade and along Belle Meade Boulevard, tied to the National Registry of Historic Places, I notice how the road still reveals pieces of old Nashville. Short segments on Chickering Road, Tyne, and Oak Hill can be fast or gradual, and I have even stopped to watch horseback riding or rest near small camping spots. To me, it invites a natural comparison to Central Park rides in New York City, but the mix of run paths, history, and setting makes this a city route that belongs only to Nashville.Big East Fork Scenic Loop
The Big East Fork mile route has become one of my go-to rides because it feels both pleasant and practical, whether I want a light day spin or to push my endurance. It works as a great introduction for beginners with long flat stretches that help you improve, yet it also lets stronger riders add loops or take on a climbing portion along the creek side and through the quiet valley. Following the out and back route south, I find it beautiful, with hidden gem roads that branch off Hwy 96 and old Harding Pike, and a corner near the Park that opens into tree shade before another steady hill. On the ride, I watch traffic, keep to the left side, and enjoy how the mix of single road and connected roads creates a flow that feels complete. I have shared this Big East Fork path on more than one week’s outing with Nashville, one of the most famous Bike Club, and the familiar turning points always remind me why this loop completes itself as a beautiful ride worth repeating.Natchez Trace Classic Loop
The Natchez Trace route has become one of my favorite weekend spins because it feels both historic and refreshing, whether I want a light Sunday ride or to push for longer miles and km. Starting from Temple Road near the shopping center and McDonalds, the front half rolls out comfortably with some flat roads, steady Stair stepping, and easy pacing that sets the tone before the entrance climb. Heading toward Highway 96 on the west side, the ride opens to spectacular scenery, following the Harpeth River and passing landmarks like Publix, Park, and the well-known Trace Bikes shop, which always feels like part of the setting. The second half includes the famous Trace Bridge, stretches of Old Natchez, Del Rio, and Highway 100, with amazing views that often remind me of those TV commercials showing Tennessee roads. I enjoy the loop with its steady climbs and fast descent, watching how each descent rewards the effort, and the bike lane behind the hills keeps the flow safe. I have often seen Bikers groups here on a regular spin, and every classic ride on this Natchez Trace delivers the kind of results that only a true Nashville route can.To Fairview and Beyond Easy Route
The To Fairview and Beyond route is one I keep coming back to, honestly, because it just feels right. I usually start from the Marathon gas station near Temple Road, that little shopping center with Publix and McDonalds, and the big parking lot makes it easy to roll out without fuss. The first few miles through McCrory and Ferndale into Hwy 100 are pretty mellow — you see properties, some semi-rural stretches, a few beautiful open spots — and in my experience, that mix of rolling terrain, the climb at Pinewood, and the downhill left at Pewitt gives just enough variation to keep things interesting. On Saturday’s rides, I usually remember how it all connects: Poplar Creek, Cumberland, Hester Beasley, and even that link to Old Hwy 96 near mile marker 440. It’s paved, sure, but has that prettiest hidden-road charm that feels very Williamson County. Past the south Harpeth, the backside section toward the Natchez Trace always sticks with me — the scenic turns, the mellow rest spots, then suddenly a fast downhill where you catch your breath and think, yeah, this is what riding’s about. What I’ve found is it shapes into a solid 55 mile peaceful ride, the kind that makes the riding experience more than just exercise. I’ve joined the Harpeth Bike Club here plenty, and every great spin on this west stretch of Nashville gives those little results — the tired legs, the good laughs, that feeling of being ready for the next one. And really, it’s one of the top routes I’ll always explore and end my mile days on, just because it feels like home.Climbing Back to the Start of the Natchez Trace via Riverside Return
I start at the shopping center off Temple Road, grab a coffee or a quick bite at Publix or McDonalds, load up on snacks and drinks in the parking lot, and set out for the Natchez Trace route, planning how many miles or which mile marker I want that day. The roads run straight and scenic as the route traverses the West Side, follows Lewis Road toward Highway 100, then drops to Poplar Creek and Wilkins Branch, a mix of flats, one short hill, and a climb that is punchy enough to feel fast so you are recovering on the next stretch. There is a neat downhill off Backbone Ridge that feels classic and fantastic, and a long calm run on Old Hwy 96 that’s nearly always quiet. If you wonder “how many miles is this” or “where are the bathrooms,” I tell folks the number depends on the loop but there are stops near the Trace Bikes shop and a small market for basics. The route comfortably connects to the South Harpeth, Pinewood sections, and the Park entrances, and I’ve done this on Saturday’s rides where the direction choices and turning points keep things interesting. You hit a few rolling hills, a ridge feel, then a fast downhill back toward the start, and by the end you’re ready for coffee, a refill, and the small satisfaction of a well run, scenic ride. What I’ve found is this loop gives solid results for training or fun, it’s punchy, it’s mellow, and it’s exactly the kind of route I keep coming back toTriathlete Route with Flats and Climbs
I found this Triathlete route when I was looking for routes that mix flat speed with hills, and now I keep coming back because it fits training and easy recovery when going out for a weekend session; I grab coffee at the Shell Station or the roadside stand and head out on a friendly out and back using quiet side roads and a stretch of Hwy 7 toward Leipers Fork and the Leipers Creek Road segment, with shorter options for time-crunched days and connecting loops for longer adventures. The total miles and length vary by how many separate loops you add, but the alternation of flats and a hard climb makes the ride feel worth it and gives clear training gains. I will often do a short run or walk at the end as a brick and sometimes stop for ice cream or lunch at a market in the area on the way back. This pushes me to say that it’s one of the best way for triathletes to train near Nashville” and also top listed in local guides, has obvious turn points and a marker near Interstate 840, a few scenic road views, and if you get lost the layout still brings you back to familiar junctions.Durk’s Favorite Road Ride
In my experience, Durk’s Favorite Road is that kind of ride people call a classic—the sort that blends a steady warm up with those rollers and the occasional hill that sneaks up on you before a climb. You usually hit that first stop sign for a little regrouping, and from there the road kind of parallels the bottom stretches of the Natchez Trace Parkway before continuing into those stretches that always feel both familiar and slightly different each time. What I have found is that it works well for newer riders, but it also keeps things interesting for the stronger groups because the pace tends to build, averaging out nicely with a gradual rise toward Greenbrier. The hilly run has a rhythm to it—you follow the leader, keep to the left side when the road narrows, and know to look ahead when the steeper rollers stack up. Names like Doug Thompon and Davis Hollow get passed around as reference points, along with the Bison you sometimes spot near the Fox’ Market stop. What makes it special is how the route unfolds: South Lick, Leipers Creek, Garrison Road, even the small schools and frequent gathering points that locals have used for years. It is mildly challenging, sometimes steep, often longer, and always rewarding—with a touch of that Fearless Ride vibe but more secluded. By the time you crest the rollers and feel that last downhill into the Old Natchez Trace, the entire stretch feels complete. Most riders I know call it about 55 miles, give or take, but it is one of those hilly routes that sticks with you, the kind of ride you measure against all others.Trinity Park a complete satisfying Loop
The Trinity Park Loop is one of those routes that feels both challenging and peaceful at the same time. Starting out east in Williamson County along Peytonsville-Trinity Road, you ride past wide-open farmland where the rollers sneak up on you in a steady rhythm. What I have found is that this loop gives you a mix of quiet ride stretches and sudden little climbs that keep you alert. From Cox Road and McDaniel to the sweep of Murfreesboro Road, the loop flows into North Chapel Road before veering back toward the park entrance. In my experience, the elevation is typical for the area—never extreme, but enough to remind you you’re not just coasting. There is a final push near Hwy 96 and Wilson Pike where the road tilts upward, though the flats west of Interstate 65 balance things out. Typically, the best part comes near Arrington Vineyard where the scenery opens wide, acre lots stretch out, and you feel that mix of work and reward that makes this route such a staple around Franklin. For me, it is about 20-plus miles of steady rhythm, small surprises, and a route I keep coming back to.East and West Side of Riding the East and West Side of Leipers Fork
The East and West Side of Leipers is a favorite among local cyclists who want a true mix of challenge and beauty. Starting near Hillsboro Middle School, this ride winds through Bailey Loop, Floyd Road, and the shaded stretches of Vestal Hollow before opening up into the quiet backroads that define the Leipers Fork area. Riders encounter steady climbs, quick downhills, and the kind of bumpy roads that make the route feel authentic and untamed. Many highlight spots like the Burwood Market or West Harpeth as natural rest stops, while stretches such as Sulphur Springs and Davis Hollow showcase the scenery, farms, and even alpacas that give this route its unique character. Locals say it is one of the best rides for sampling the rollers, sharks, and steep pitches Nashville’s cycling community calls classics, with mile after mile of secluded roads that are nearly traffic-free. Whether you join club rides on a Saturday or tackle it solo on a Sunday, the combination of fast downhills, sharp climbs, and rural beauty makes this loop one of the top cycling highlights in Williamson County.East Side Scamper
I’ve always enjoyed the East Side Scamper because it blends a mix of Trinity Park, Cox Road, and stretches of Peytonsville-Trinity Road that make a route both challenging and rewarding. The rollers along Hill Road offer a solid warm up before the climb toward Rocky Glade Farm, which always brings a bit of fun and feels surprisingly social when you pass other riders. A turn onto North Chapel Road gives a smoother section, and from there the ride flows past farmland and even spots like Arrington Vineyards and Taliaferro, where the views alone make the miles worthwhile. In my experience, the downhill near Patton is a great way to shake out the legs before a warm down, and if you push the speed along Wilson Pike or the back stretch by Gene Underwood and Patterson, the work pays off with a fast yet controlled finish. It is the kind of ride where a short effort can feel as good as a longer push, and each version of it is equally nice depending on the time and how much you want to increase the challenge.Riding Along the Harpeth River
One of my favorite routes to show riders in Nashville follows the Harpeth River, where the mix of scenery, quiet roads, and shaded stretches makes even a summer ride feel easy. I usually start near Moran Road and head toward Hillsboro, where you will pass barns, horses, and even Texas Longhorns that give the ride a real country feel. The loop is short enough for a relaxed evening spin yet long enough to be a great workout, especially once you hit the flat stretch near mile 2.5 with its bike lane and open countryside. On the right side, you will see beautiful houses, some historic and formerly tied to a President, while further down the route the suburb gives way to rural views that are always a welcome break. I have regularly seen cyclists using this protected path, and in my own rides, the traffic has been light, especially in the evening, making it one of those roads I come back to again and again. The ride even passes spots connected to country music artist Alan Jackson, a reminder of how much history is tucked into this part of town. With plenty of rolling mile markers, a good mix of main roads and backroads like Del Rio and Old Natchez, and even a glimpse of giant white fences, the whole route feels like stepping into the countryside while never being too far from the city.Why Nashville is good for Cyclists Nowadays
Nashville’s Growth for Cyclists
Nashville has transformed into a bike-friendly city through strategic infrastructure development and community engagement. The city’s commitment to cycling infrastructure is evident in its expanding network of bikeways and greenways, which now includes over 30 designated cycling routes. This growth reflects Nashville’s understanding that modern cities must accommodate multiple transportation modes to remain competitive and livable. The Tour de Nash program exemplifies this growth, offering structured training routes that prepare cyclists for various skill levels while showcasing Nashville’s diverse neighborhoods. From downtown core navigation to natural area exploration, these routes demonstrate how the city has integrated cycling accessibility into urban planning.Community of Bikers in Nashville
Nashville’s cycling community thrives through eight active organizations that create inclusive spaces for riders of all backgrounds and abilities. This diverse ecosystem ensures that whether you’re interested in social justice cycling, competitive training, or casual recreational rides, there’s a community group that matches your interests. The strength of Nashville’s cycling culture lies in its diversity – from Black Girls Do Bike Nashville promoting inclusion, to Major Momentum Cycling Club focusing on performance, to Nashville Slow Ride welcoming beginners. This variety indicates a mature, well-developed cycling community that supports riders at every level.
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