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Nashville, TN: Jones Mill Trail
Perfect for a trail run, a mountain bike ride, or short dayhike, this 3.5-mile figure-eight in Long Hunter State Park roams reservoir bluffs outside Nashville.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Tennessee (TN) |
| Distance: | 3.5 mi |
| Difficulty: | 3 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | La Vergne, Gladeville |
| Rating: | Unrated |
A popular local mountain bike destination, the Jones Mill Trail in Long Hunter State Park is an oft-overlooked option for Nashville-area dayhikers and trail runners. Winding through a sparse cedar forest, this 3.5-mile figure-eight loop samples limestone glades (home to the endangered Tennessee coneflower), interesting varieties of trailside moss, and birdwatching spots atop reservoir bluffs.
Start from the Jones Mill Trailhead on Barnett Road and begin hiking clockwise on the Main Moop—keep an eye out for patches of reindeer moss on the side of trail. One mile in, you'll start the counter-clockwise loop to Bald Knob (an overlook of Percy Price Lake where you may hear or see common loons—and where bald eagles have been spotted in the past). Descend from Baldy Knob and head west through the cedars, making an optional shoreline detour on the return loop before the trailhead.
Note: This is a popular mountain bike area so keep your eyes and ears sharp for trail traffic. The trail is less-trafficked during winter months when muddy conditions keep many bikers at bay.
-Mapped by Kelly Stewart, Nashville Hiking Meetup
TO TRAILHEAD: I-40 E to exit 226A to TN 171 S/S. Mount Juliet Rd. In 4.2 miles, bear left on S. Mount Juliet Rd./TN-171. In 1.1 miles, left onto Couchville Pike. In 2 miles, right onto Barnett Rd. Continue 0.5 mile to trailhead parking lot.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Jones Mill Trail
| Dist: 3.55 mi | Points: 237 |
Points of Interest
JMT001
Location: 36.074792°, -86.509514°Hike southwest from the trailhead (located at the southwest end of parking lot).
JMT002
Location: 36.074448°, -86.509987°Turn left at sign. The section of trail ahead is marked with white and orange blazes.
JMT003
Location: 36.076254°, -86.503784°Continue straight on Main Loop as the trail opens up to a short segment with fewer cedars.
JMT004
Location: 36.075916°, -86.500624°Continue straight toward Bald Knob. The trail on the left cuts back to the trailhead.
JMT005
Location: 36.075729°, -86.499817°The trail crosses the remnants of a stone "slave wall" and turns right.
JMT006
Location: 36.075438°, -86.499616°Cross a bridge over small creek.
JMT007
Location: 36.074741°, -86.499454°Bear right at fork to continue on to Bald Knob.
JMT008
Location: 36.071493°, -86.501895°Trail begins moderate switchback ascent up toward Bald Knob.
JMT009
Location: 36.069605°, -86.503328°Bald Knob: Peek through the trees for views of Percy Priest Lake. In 0.1 mile, the trail begins its descent of Bald Knob and reconnects with Waypoint 7. At Waypoint 7, backtrack on the main loop to Waypoint 4 and bear left on Return Loop.
JTM010
Location: 36.072482°, -86.509194°Turn left off the trail to head through the woods for a short detour to Percy Priest Lake (created by the damming of Stones River). In the winter the beach becomes a wide, rocky shoreline open for exploration.
JTM011
Location: 36.074511°, -86.510221°Bear right to return to trailhead.
Percy Priest Lake
Location: 36.072280°, -86.508802°© Kelly Stewart
Jones Mill Trailhead
Location: 36.074780°, -86.509590°© Kelly Stewart
Directional Sign
Location: 36.074450°, -86.509931°Follow the bike trail's directional signage. Be aware of bikers and move out of the path when they approach. © Kelly Stewart
Reindeer Moss
Location: 36.076668°, -86.506049°Brittle, white-ish "reindeer moss" is very common on this trail. © Kelly Stewart
To Bald Knob
Location: 36.075916°, -86.500594°© Kelly Stewart
Main Loop or Shortcut
Location: 36.076258°, -86.503725°© Kelly Stewart
Slave Wall
Location: 36.075729°, -86.499790°The trail passes the remnants of a "slave wall" and makes a right turn. © Kelly Stewart
Creek Bridge
Location: 36.075439°, -86.499589°© Kelly Stewart
The Fork to Bald Knob
Location: 36.074741°, -86.499430°Bear right at this fork to continue to Bald Knob. © Kelly Stewart
Cushion Moss
Location: 36.071068°, -86.503177°Moss and lichen such as this "cushion moss" abound on the trail. Bryophyte is referred to as "cushion moss" since you can press down on it like a cushiony pillow. © Kelly Stewart
Mountain Bike Traffic
Location: 36.070418°, -86.502990°Don't forget to look out for the mountain bikers and stand out of the way. If hiking with a group, a simple yell of "bike!" will be very appreciated. © Kelly Stewart
Percy Priest Lake View
Location: 36.069603°, -86.503247°© Kelly Stewart
Sink Hole
Location: 36.070665°, -86.499951°A small sink hole or forest floor cave-in. © Kelly Stewart
Return Loop
Location: 36.075927°, -86.500602°© Kelly Stewart
Low Tide
Location: 36.072306°, -86.508767°© Kelly Stewart
Scrubby Cedars
Location: 36.072976°, -86.510280°Eastern red cedar, blue ash, and aromatic sumac punctuate what look like a graveyard of natural tombstones. © Kelly Stewart
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