Exploring the Harpeth Woods Trail

Harpeth Woods Trail at Edwin Warner Park, Tennessee

   It always feels like such a privilege to go on a hike during a weekday. New Year's Day was a crisp one, with chilly air that manages to caress the hairs on your legs under your clothes. As I crunched along the trail and suffered up a rather long hill, my breath made clouds in the cool air in front of me. It was the perfect start to 2025, moving to better myself and to enjoy the world around me. There's truly something meditative about hiking alone, even on a semi-busy trail. Being alone with your thoughts, your own encouragement, it's a beautiful way to experience how you encourage others. 

Harpeth Woods Mushrooms (Velvet Foot), Harpeth Woods Trail, Tennessee

   The Harpeth Woods Trail at Edwin Warner park is a 2 1/2 mile trail that's rated as Moderate on the AllTrails app. It's beautiful, but be aware that there is quite an incline at the end of the trail (or the beginning, if you're like me and started by turning left instead of right). This trail is gorgeous, and quite popular with families, so it's far from a solemn hike. After a good rain, you can see a variety of mushrooms dotting the trail, even in January. 

   Most of the trail was dry and well-kept, but beware a few fallen trees on the overlook fork! They are easily circumnavigated. For those with weak joints or injuries, I recommend bringing a hiking stick to help navigate rocky inclines and to help with balance. 

   This trail is NOT ADA-accessible, unfortunately. The trail is well-kept, but all dirt and quite muddy right after a rain. If you're planning on hiking with a mobility aid, I believe there is an old paved road that is now used as a trail at the Edwin Warner park. 

Gelatinous Mushrooms (Maybe Wood Ear, or Witch's Butter?) Harpeth Woods Trail, Tennessee

   Dear Reader, I hope that this year is filled with the sweet sensations of a breeze across your cheek on a warm day, or the hug of warmth you feel when donning your favorite cozy sweater. I hope that your 2025 is filled with personal triumphs, heartwarming moments, and bittersweet memories that you'll look upon fondly years in the future. Finally, I hope you find yourself outside this year. I hope you find a cool rock, or a beautifully-colored leaf, or a mushroom. I hope you can cultivate an appreciation for nature this year, even more so if you haven't had one before.

  Stay safe, Friend. Here's to 2025.