A scenic walk with impressive natural sights that offers a lovely experience in nature outside of Nashville.

From our experience, Middle Creek Loop is best done clockwise. It is relatively easy and therefore suitable for the whole family.  The hike starts out as just a pretty regular stroll through the woods on a well-marked trail.  However, you quickly come across huge rock formations that feel otherworldly through the entire middle mile of the trail.  It's impressive and memorable. The cavernous overhangs are stunning and provide about a 10-degree temperature drop if you wander over towards them, which is a curious sensation.  A few have trickle-like water coming down from them, but overall the trail is dry beyond that.  My daughter and I saw a bear on the trail, so do be prepared with bear spray for your peace of mind.  On a late afternoon, there were no other people to be seen.  Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on a leash.

Middle Creek trailhead is located on Divide Road one mile from Highway 154. It is in the western Tennessee portion of Big South Fork, which is a National River and Recreation Area.

GPS coordinates: 36.52858,-84.79547

Getting there: To get to Middle Creek Trailhead from Oneida, take S.R. 297 west through the Big South Fork River Gorge and the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. At the intersection with S.R. 154, turn right and travel north for approximately two miles on S.R. 154. Divide Road will be located on the right. After the right-hand turn onto the gravel road, it is less than half a mile to the trailhead, which is located on the right.