Mossy Ridge Trail Hiking Guide
Percy Warner Park is where Nashville trains for bigger mountains, and Mossy Ridge is the reason. The red-blazed loop rolls over one forested hill after another for about four and a half miles, never high but rarely flat, with moss-carpeted rock along the ridges and benches at the viewpoints. Most people meet it on a weekend morning in running shoes; most people also underestimate it the first time.
The Loop
Metro Nashville Parks lists the Mossy Ridge loop at 4.5 miles, reached by a lead trail about 300 yards long from the Deep Well trailhead off Highway 100. GPS-based sources put the total climbing at roughly 850 to 920 feet, which is a lot of up and down for a city park. The trail is marked with red blazes and rated moderate. There is no single big climb — just a steady series of short, steep hills.
Along the Way
The loop passes a spur to a 'quiet point' with a bench, and a steep, rocky, moss-covered ridge near Scott Hollow that gives the trail its name. The surrounding hardwood forest is at its best in late October and early November, and in winter the bare trees open up views over the folded hills of the Warner Parks. The nearby Warner Woods Trail reaches Luke Lea Heights, the park's high point.
Park History
Many of the trails and stone structures in the Warner Parks date to the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Together Percy and Edwin Warner parks are large enough that a hike here can feel far from the city despite being inside it. Keep an eye out for old stonework along the trail.
Rules and Access
The park is open from sunrise to 11 p.m. daily and parking is free. Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than six feet. Horses and bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails; the park has separate bridle trails, and you will see riders where the systems cross. The Deep Well picnic area lot is the usual starting point and fills on warm weekend mornings.
Practicalities
Middle Tennessee humidity is what makes summer hiking hard here; go early from June through September. The rocky sections are slick after rain and leaves hide roots in autumn, so wear shoes with grip. Carry water, and check for ticks after hiking in warm months. Cooler months are the best time for this loop — it is one of Nashville's favourite winter workouts.
Hiking tips for Mossy Ridge Trail
- Start from the Deep Well trailhead and follow the red blazes; the lead trail is about 300 yards.
- Expect a string of short, steep hills rather than one big climb — pace yourself early.
- Hike it in winter, when the bare hardwoods open up views across the Warner Parks.
- Keep dogs on a leash of six feet or less, as Metro Parks requires.
- Watch for leaf-covered roots and wet rock on the mossy ridge sections.
Nearby trails to explore
- Radnor Lake Trail
- Narrows of the Harpeth Bluff Trail
- Henry Hollow Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Mossy Ridge is Nashville's favourite training loop, and hills go faster with company. Use TrailMates to find Nashville hikers for a weekend Warner Parks session. Download the TrailMates app to connect.