We planned to walk the entire Cumberland River Greenway. Starting with the Metro Levee section and continuing to the Downtown section. We were going to walk one way with a car shuttle. I was looking forward to walking along the Cumberland River.
Directions to Great Circle Trailhead: From Interstate 65, take exit 85, turning onto Rosa L Parks Blvd. Head north to Metro Center (away from Downtown Nashville). Turn right on Vantage Way. Go .50 miles. Turn right on Great Circle Rd and go .40 miles to the Trailhead.
From the Great Circle Trailhead the path Downtown Greenway leads to the south (or right) under the I-65, Lyle Fulton Bridge.
For the first mile the trail wanders through an industrial area. It is not a nature walk; but it is interesting.
Following an old railroad track the greenway heads toward town. Great views of the skyline are available in this section.
After .15 miles the trail crosses the railroad track. This is also the location of the 2.00 mile marker. The numbers on the markers are only directed toward those leaving town.
At .30 miles the trail passes under Lone Star Cement hose pipe. They unload cement at the location from barges docked at Lower Nashville Island.
In .10 miles a rest area is along the river with views of Lower Nashville Island.
The path leaves the rest area passes the 1.75 mile marker and crosses a drainage as it snakes back to the river.
Metro Bio-Solids plant is along the path in .20 miles.
The Bio-Solids is a big complex.
The Madgeburg Path Junction is in .25 miles. The spur trail leads to Morgan Park.
In .05 miles is the 1.25 mile marker.
Continuing .30 miles (crossing a couple of streets along the way) The path crosses the railroad. This is in the neighborhood of the Readi-Mix Plant and has lots of sand on the path. Bicyclists should be careful riding through the area.
In .10 miles pass the Readi-Mix Plant and then pass under Jefferson Street (.05).
From Jefferson Street to Downtown the path is less industrial and more urban.
After .05 miles is a rest area. The Bi-Centennial Mall Connector goes to the right (or west). The Connector weaves for .40 miles between buildings and parking areas to the Mall. It is a great side trip.
The .75 mile marker is also located near the Junction.
In .20 miles the path crosses 1st Ave and continues on the sidewalk on the other side of 1st.
The CSX Railroad crosses over 1st Ave and the path in .05 miles.
At the top of the hill, the path goes left around a parking area (or stay straight on the sidewalk.) There are good views of the Railroad Bridge from the path.
From the Railroad Bridge it is .25 miles to the .25 mile marker. It is also 1.90 miles from the Great Circle Trailhead.
Pass the steps to the Public Square and under the Victory Memorial and Woodland Street bridges.
After .15 miles the statue of Timothy Demonbreun guards the bluff overlooking the river.
The trailhead is in .10 miles. The kiosk is located before reaching Fort Nashboro (on the north side).