Burch Woods Trail

The Burch Woods Trail is the latest addition to Nashville’s wonderful Warner Parks. In 2004, the Friends of Warner Parks organization began the acquisition process of 500 acres of land that today makes up the Burch Preserve. Unlike the other 3,000 acres of land in Warner Parks, the Burch Preserve is only open to foot traffic. Running and dogs are prohibited.

The three mile Burch Woods Trail takes hikers through this new preserve and offers a chance to dive deeper into nature than the other Warner Parks trails. The lollipop loop trail begins as a nice and smooth gravel path. This path parallels the highway for a short distance before crossing under some railroad tracks. The tunnel beneath the tracks is beautifully crafted and a highlight of the trail. Continuing on you’ll soon come to the start of the loop portion of this trail. Taking a right will bring you quickly to a beautiful meadow area. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife. A short spur trail (Meadow View Spur) will take you to a viewpoint and a bench. Warner Parks are also home to around 400 different kinds of wildflowers, many of which can be spotted in this area.

Continuing on, the Burch Woods Trail heads into the forest and you’ll find a couple of short but steep climbs waiting. The remainder of the trail stays in this deciduous forest, mostly made up of oak/hickory and beech/maple, until it switchbacks back down to the start of the loop. Unless you feel like hiking the loop again, head back the way you first came, cross under the railroad tracks and return to the parking lot.