Cumberland River Greenway

Tennessee

16 Reviews

View Trail Map
View Map
Print
Complete
Favorite
Send to App

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Cumberland River Greenway Facts

States: Tennessee
Counties: Davidson
Length: 9.1 miles
Trail end points: Ted Rhodes Golf Course (1901 Ed Temple Blvd, Nashville) and parking lot at Peabody St & Lea Ave (Nashville)
Trail surfaces: Asphalt
Trail category: Rail-Trail
ID: 6438721

Cumberland River Greenway Description

Overview

The Cumberland River Greenway is a 9-mile multiuse trail that follows the winding course of the Cumberland River through downtown Nashville. Less than a mile of the route runs along a former railroad corridor.

About the Route

Most of the trail lies on the west/south bank of the river, but it does cross over the Shelby Street Bridge and continues to LP Field. This part of the trail is known locally as the East Bank Greenway.

The trail runs from Ted Rhodes Park to Metro Riverfront Park and LP Field, providing wonderful views of the river and access to Morgan Park and Bicentennial Mall State Park, each via a short spur.

Connections

The Cumberland River Greenway is one of many forming Nashville's system of greenways throughout the city. Nashville's greenways link neighborhoods, schools, shopping areas, the downtown area, offices, recreation areas, open spaces and other points of interest.

Parking and Trail Access

The Cumberland River Greenway runs between the Ted Rhodes Golf Course (1901 Ed Temple Blvd, Nashville) and the parking lot at the intersection of Peabody St & Lea Ave (Nashville).

Parking is available at:

  • Ted Rhodes Park Parking Lot, 1913 Ed Temple Blvd (Nashville)
  • Great Circle Road Trailhead, 231 Great Circle Rd (Nashville)
  • Riverfront Park, 100 First Ave North (Nashville)

Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.

Cumberland River Greenway Reviews

Trail Needs Some Maintenance

We rode this trail in May 2023. We accessed the northwest end of the trail via Freeland Station Road. It appears that the trail continues past this point but it is not shown on the map. We followed the trail northeast, east and southeast towards downtown Nashville. After a few miles we passed several homeless encampments in the wooded areas. When we reached the downtown area near 2nd St and Cement Plant Road we were met with construction debris. We found no clear description of where we were, where we might go and what we might see. We returned to the trailhead.

Prior to reaching the homeless encampment, the paved trail follows the curve of the river. Wildlife is visible on and along the river.

It would have been great if the trail were marked and we would have been able to ride the trail into the Broadway downtown area, Ryman Auditorium, etc.

great ride on the river

We totally enjoyed this ride on the river !

Where are the goats?

I rode this greenway back in the summer and one of the interesting aspects was the herd of goats that keep the vegetation on the levee in check. I rode again in February and was not surprised to see that the goats were not out there, nothing to eat this time of year. But I am curious. What happens to those goats when winter rolls in and the vegetation dies?

Nice trail, rode it on a Wednesday with very few people using it. Tent city was a surprise but didn't see anyone there. Really quite and peaceful ridd

Nice trail, rode it on a Wednesday with very few people using it. Tent city was a surprise but didn't see anyone there. Really quite and peaceful ridd

Accordion

Interesting ride

I biked from Ted Rhodes golf course to Titans stadium. The levee section is nice and the downtown section is interesting. This one is not my favorite greenway in the Nashville area but I am glad I took the time to ride it.

Not at all what I had hoped for…

The previous comment titled “Ugly” by Tweakhound back in Aug ‘08 is spot-on. My experience was exactly the same. Thoroughly unimpressed.

enjoyable ride

It was industrial but a nice ride with some good views and you can get lunch downtown if desired.

Great Urban Greenway

I was a bit concerned about some of the negative reviews but I found this route to be surprising interesting. Yes, it is industrial in parts but it is level, well-traveled and how can you not be surprised by the goats!!! It was fun and it is definitely a city vibe as opposed to rolling hills.

Great river views

I run on this trail every week and it is especially beautiful in the morning with the mist rising off the river. Great trail along river that connects to downtown.

Ugly

I don't get the 5 star reviews or the trail description. Rode from behind Titans stadium to trail end. It is 14.26 miles round trip. After you clear the Riverfront area full of trash and homeless, the first half of the trail is past warehouses, and cement factories. You can't see the river at all. When you clear that you still have warehouses on the land side and the view in this section of the river ain't much. No water and one porta-potie that I assume is associated with the golf course.

Kbeegee

We are visiting the Nashville area from Iowa & I wanted to get in a short ride. Very nice trail. Well maintained. Good trail markers. Love the Cumberland river section. The sheep added to the experience. Nice to see barges navigating the river.

enjoyable ride!!

As with a lot of trails starting out in cities, you'll go through indrustrial areas. This one is no different, but once you get past the water plant you have a nice ride by the river. Smooth flat surface, with great river views. Couple of entrances with water fountains. It was a beautiful day, but very few ( less the ten) people took advantage of it. Did see a homeless camp but felt no fear at all.

nice trail

This is the first time I've used this app and it has been wonderful I ran 12 miles on the Cumberland Trail today and the app told me where I was on the trail it was accurate if I can say anything bad about the trail it would be the homeless people that are sleeping alarm silent and didn't bother me but I had to be courageous because some of them

Disappointed in Cumberland River Greenway Trail

Had envisioned this as a nice run along the river into downtown. Turns out that most of the trail is set back a good bit from the river, runs behind a water treatment plant and through heavily industrial area. Very few actual river views. The finish on the river in downtown Nashville was cool, but otherwise this run far missed my expectations

what a break from driving!

Driving from Missouri to Florida, we used this App to get at least an hours bike ride in. Such a great surprise in metro Nashville along the Cumberland River

Wonderful!

Honestly, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this trail. Most Nashville residents don't go downtown unless it's for a show or work. What I found were almost endless opportunities for photography (my personal image folder for this trail has hundreds of photos), people watching, and learning about my city from ancient geology to river commerce. I also grabbed some fresh veggies at our Farmer's Market before I drove off for the day.
The trail surface is well maintained asphalt. It's pretty much flat which makes for an easy ramble. Any hills are totally workable. There are several portalets so no need to worry about finding a bush.
The Metrocenter levee trail is closed until summer of next year (2012) for reconstruction that I assume is due to damage from the flood.
If you're a visitor or even a long time resident, please take a few hours to meander about. Maybe even pack a lunch for kicking back on the riverfront lawn and enjoying the sunshine.

Nearby Trails

Go Unlimited Today!

  • FREE Account
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Post your trail reviews
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Get a free map in the app!
Register for FREE
  •  
Purchase Unlimited

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.