Only nine miles from Downtown Nashville, Percy Warner Park is loaded with trails and makes you feel like you're further removed from the city than you really are.

When I’m in need of a hike but squeezed with time, I load up my dogs, kiddos, and baby carrier and head there. In nice weather, you’ll see folks laying out in the grassy field and, in the fall, the foliage is stunning.

 My ‘go-to’ route is the Belle Meade Trailhead and I typically park right on the boulevard. There’s a two mile loop that starts at the top of the stone steps (a favorite spot for family photos!). You can go either way around the loop, but I prefer to head right. The white loop is a little over two miles and is challenging for my 4-year-old, but she can do it (no huge hills). My 3-year-old goes on my back and the dogs are in heaven. There are several other, longer trails as well, including the 4.5 mile red trail.

My children love passing the horse trails as there are often equestrians crossing our path. You do cross a couple of roads (not many cars but still accessible for drivers), so make sure the kids don’t get too far ahead. In summer, you'll need to keep an eye out for ticks and snakes – I’ve seen both. Overall, the hike is perfect in all seasons and helps me get my nature fix when I can’t get further out of the city. Though you are supposed to keep dogs on leash, there's always a few off leash so be aware of that.