Machine Falls Loop at Short Springs Natural Area

Tullahoma, Tennessee

4.8/5
based on 13 reviews

Details

Distance

4.07 miles

Elevation Gain

732 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by chase howell

This is a very nice hike to a beautiful, secluded waterfall 1 hour from Nashville.  It makes for the perfect day trip to the crisp and photogenic Machine Falls. 

The Machine Falls loop at Short Springs Natural Area is a 1.6 mile round trip hike easily followed by white blazes.  It is rated moderate difficulty due to the short, steep descent into a gorge where the falls is located.  The trail is sparsely trafficked; there are usually quite a few people hanging out at the falls on the weekend. You can extend this part of the loop by continuing up to Adams Falls Trail.

There is also an alternate route to Bugsby Falls following Bobo Creek Trail, which is another loop trail that leads you down to Bobo Creek, where you can chose to do the 1.2 mile Laurel Bluff trail. This loops back to the Bobo Creek Trail. I highly recommend doing these trails as well if you have enough time.  They aren't as heavily trafficked and are very pretty hikes.

Combining all loops: Machine Falls, Adams Falls, Laurel Bluff/Bobo Creek makes for an approximately 4-mile loop. 

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Forest
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Waterfalls

Machine Falls Loop at Short Springs Natural Area Reviews

Despite the rain, we had a great time! The falls are beautiful, the water is ice cold, and the hike was easily marked. The machine falls loop is marked by white blazes, and the other 2 loops are marked by blue or orange blazes. For an hour+ out of the city, it was a great day trip. I'd definitely do it again.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Lower and Upper Busby Falls

Hike to Rutledge Falls

Old Stone Fort Trail

Hike to Bridal Veil Falls in Sewanee, TN

Sewanee Perimeter Trail

Firey Gizzard, Dog Hole and Ravens Point