Nashville: Waterfall Hike & Brewery Lunch with Transport

Summary

Waterfall trails history and cold beer after hiking Tennessee woods

You’ll follow forest trails near Nashville to four different waterfalls—including Old Stone Fort & Rutledge Falls—with a local guide sharing stories along the way. There’s time for photos, maybe even a swim if you’re brave, plus snacks and water on the trail. After hiking, relax over lunch with your first drink at a local brewery before heading back to town.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not gonna slip,” our guide Josh promised, but I still hesitated at the slick rock by Rutledge Falls. The water was louder than I expected—almost like white noise you can feel in your chest. We’d left Nashville less than an hour ago, but it felt like another world out here, all mossy stones and that sweet green smell you only get after rain. There were four waterfalls on this day trip from Nashville, each one a little different—some hidden behind tangles of trees, others just there, wide open and roaring. Josh kept pointing out little things: wild ginger leaves (which I never would’ve noticed), old stone walls from when this was sacred ground for people long before us. He had stories about every bend in the trail—some funny, some kind of haunting.

At one point we stopped by the Duck River and just listened for a minute. Someone asked if you could swim. “If you don’t mind freezing,” Josh grinned. A couple of us actually did it—quick dip, sharp breath, then laughing so hard my teeth chattered. The hike itself wasn’t too tough—maybe three miles? But there were roots everywhere and sometimes the path got muddy where the sun never quite dries things out. I liked that nobody rushed; we took our time getting photos (I’m still thinking about that one shot with sunlight catching the spray). Snacks came out somewhere between waterfalls two and three—I’d forgotten how good an orange tastes when you’re tired.

The brewery stop at Common John Brewing was honestly perfect timing. My shoes were muddy and nobody cared; everyone just piled into a big table and swapped waterfall stories over cold beer or lemonade (first drink’s included). Lunch was simple but hit the spot—burgers, fries, that sort of thing—and I caught myself watching the locals joke around at the bar while we thawed out from the hike. It’s funny how quickly you go from feeling like a tourist to just being part of someone else’s Saturday afternoon. The ride back to Nashville was quiet—everyone half asleep or scrolling through their photos—and I kept thinking about that first waterfall roar echoing in my head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike waterfalls and brewery visit

• Hike 2.5 miles past 4 waterfalls
• Learn history and nature from guides
• Stop at waterfall for swim
• Visit Common John Brewing for lunch

Top questions

How long is the waterfall hiking tour from Nashville?

The tour is a half-day experience with about 3-4 miles of hiking plus stops at up to four waterfalls before returning to Nashville.

Is transportation included for this waterfall hike?

Yes, round-trip transportation from Nashville is included in the tour price.

Can you swim during this day trip to Rutledge Falls?

Swimming is possible at one of the waterfalls if weather and season permit; check with your guide on the day.

What parks or areas do we visit on this tour?

The tour visits Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park and Rutledge Falls along with other natural areas nearby.

Is lunch included on this waterfall hiking tour?

Yes, lunch is included at Common John Brewing Co., along with your first drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).

Are snacks or drinks provided during the hike?

Water and snacks are provided during the hike portion of the tour.

How difficult is the hiking on this tour?

The hike covers 3-4 miles on uneven terrain; participants should have moderate fitness but it’s not extremely challenging.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off in Nashville, guided hikes through Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park and Rutledge Falls with stories from your local guide, water and snacks along forest trails, trekking poles if you want them, plus lunch with your first drink covered at Common John Brewing before heading home again.