4.3mi Mossy Ridge Trail Loop(edit)

Overview

Are you ready for an interval hike? Then check out the Mossy Ridge Trail at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN. As you wind through a hardwood forest among limestone outcroppings its 5.2 miles of up down, up down. What a great interval hike! The trailhead is well marked and the loop trail is marked with red blazes painted on the trees. The trail is well worn packed dirt or loose limestone with an average width of approximately 4 feet. Exposed roots are plentiful throughout the trail. There are several steep sections of the trail so be careful if hiking after a rain as the trail may be muddy and the limestone may be slippery. There is a small stream crossing, but don’t be concerned about getting your feet wet. You won’t! The rocks, however; do become slippery when wet. It is posted with a caution sign.

The trail is classified as moderate as it scores an 83 using the Shenandoah’s (Shenandoah NP) system of grading a hike. Using a numerical system {SQRT of (2 x distance x elevation gain)} to calculating the difficulty of the hike one can easily determine if the hike is suitable for them; 0-50 (Easy), 50-100 (Moderate), 100-150 (Moderate Strenuous), 150-200 (Strenuous), 200+ ( Very Strenuous).
The Mossy Ridge Trail area is popular with locals. There are other single use hiking trails, horse trails and paved multiuse use trails that are used by walkers and bicyclists in this area also. The different types of trails are clearly marked and Mossy Ridge Trail crosses over both the horse trails and the paved multiuse trails several times. According to the “Warner Parks” web page (https://www.nashville.gov/parks-and-recreation/parks/warner-parks.aspx) over a million people visit the Percy and Edwin Warner Parks yearly. Don’t let this keep you away. Visit the park during the week.

Travelling clockwise from the trailhead you will run upon the remnants of a cabin, the Betsy Ross Cabin. The fire place and floor is all that remain of the cabin that was built back in the 20’s.

Picnic shelters and camp grills are available and there is an abundance of parking available, but you may have to park away from the trailhead. Several other trails are accessible from the trailhead that being, Deep Well Trail and Warner Woods Trail. A porta potty is also located near the trailhead. The park welcomes dogs, but they must be leashed at all times.

Getting Started

Mossy Ridge trail is located a Percy Warner Park about 10 miles southwest of Nashville TN. The Mossy Ridge Trailhead is located just off of TN Route 100 at the end of Music City Bikeway on the west side of the park. Follow the paved multiuse trail and watch for the trail signs and the red blazes painted on the trees. There are several blaze’s painted as the trails spurs off to different trailheads.

Parking is also available at the Chickering Trailhead.

No permits are required if you only plan to use the trail systems or picnic facilities within the park. There are RV and campsites located nearby.

Taking Children

Not recommend for smaller children because of its length and the nature of the elevation changes. If you have older children that have hiked five miles or more before this may be a suitable hike for them. Just be aware that there are several steep sections. You need to judge if this hike is suitable for your child. Watch out for the Poison Ivy along the trail. This is not an issue if you stay on the trail.