Have you ever dreamt of exploring a labyrinth? Tennessee has some calling your name. I have selected 7 of the best (there are over 60) that are accessible to the public from around the state, focusing on large population areas. If you want a full list of labyrinths in the state check out the Worldwide Labyrinth Finder.
Why visit a Labyrinth ?
Labyrinths are ancient and mysterious symbols that have been used for centuries for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. They are also a lot of fun to explore! If you're looking for a unique and challenging experience, walk a labyrinth with intention - it often leads to self-discovery. Personally, I like to walk labyrinths between dawn and sunrise or at sunset until dusk, but any time of day works. You may not realize it, but there is probably a labyrinth near where you live. Today we explore…
7 Labyrinths to Visit in Tennessee
1. Scarritt Bennett Center Labyrinth
Located on the corner of 19th and Grand Avenue, this 7 circuit medieval labyrinth has grass pathways with a brick outline. It is open during daylight hours. The school website has many posts about the labyrinth, but this one about walking/praying it caught my attention. Easy to locate on Google Maps.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Address:
1008 19th Ave. South
Nashville, Tennessee 37212
2. Le Bonheur Outpatient Center - East Labyrinth
This Charters replica 11 circuit labyrinth is located directly behind the center. You can reach it by parking in the parking lot of the left (west) side of the building and following the pathway.
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Address:
100 North Humphreys
Memphis, Tennessee 38120
3. UT Gardens Labyrinth
Labyrinth featured at 0:52
A 5 circuit Chartres style labyrinth made from gravel with brick liners. The labyrinth is surrounded by a burgundy arbor and plants/flowers. Here is a 360 degree view of it. The gardens are open during daylight hours and you can plan your trip on their website.
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Address:
2518 Jacob Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
4. St. Paul's Episcopal Church Labyrinth
A 7 circuit labyrinth that is available to walk when the church is open. The bricks that give the labyrinth it’s shape are a green color. Learn more about the labyrinth on the church website.
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Address:
305 W 7th St
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
5. Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital Labyrinth
This 8 circuit medieval style labyrinth is located between/behind the Seton and the DePaul buildings.
Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Address:
1700 Medical Center Parkway
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129
6. Buckhorn Inn - Rachel’s Labyrinth
The Buckhorn Inn - Rachel’s Labyrinth. Courtesy of the inn.
This medieval style rock garden labyrinth is open from sunrise to sunset and is located behind the inn. Plan a trip to the inn and learn about the history of this labyrinth on their website.
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Address:
2140 Tudor Mountain Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
7. Bethel Presbyterian Church Labyrinth
An 11 circuit labyrinth is located behind the church and overlooks Watts Bar Lake as you can see in the photo above. The church shared this very helpful information if you want to visit !
When you arrive at the church turn in at the intersection of Church Street and Kentucky Street (flashing yellow light on Kentucky). The labyrinth is located behind the church. Our labyrinth located between Bethel Presbyterian Church and the shore of Watts Bar Lake was dedicated on October 16, 2010 to honor the memory of the Reverend Marc Sherrod who was the beloved minister of Bethel Presbyterian Church from October 1, 2001 until his death in 2009.. The labyrinth is always open, the path is open to everyone. It is a Medieval / Eleven circuit (Chartres) Labyrinth. The materials used are reclaimed foundation bricks and crushed Tennessee limestone. It is 42 feet in diameter. Designer: Stuart Bartholomaus
Location: Kingston, Tennessee
Address:
203 S. Kentucky Street
Kingston, Tennessee 37763
5 TIPS FOR VISITING A LABYRINTH
Set an intention for your walk so you can walk with purpose. It could be prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or openness.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Bring water with you, especially if you are visiting on a hot day.
Take your time and enjoy the experience. There is no need to rush through a labyrinth.
Be respectful of other visitors. This includes not making noise and being respectful if walking with other people.
5 BOOKS TO READ ABOUT LABYRINTH WALKING
I wrote a blog post reviewing the following 5 books, each that deals with walking labyrinths. You can check them out yourself at the Amazon links below or read this blog post: 5 Books about the Spiritual Aspect of Labyrinths to learn a little about what each book teaches.
Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool by Dr. Lauren Artress 201 pages. AMZN
Labyrinth : Your Path to Self-Discovery by Tony Christie 312 pages. AMZN
Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide For Healing and Spiritual Growth by Melissa Gayle West 209 pages AMZN
Walking the Labyrinth: A Place to Pray and Seek God by Travis Scholl 240 pages AMZN
Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight by Rev Dr Donna Schaper and Rev Dr Carole Ann Camp 187 pages AMZN
If you are interested in more spiritual labyrinth aspects I suggest the following websites:
Lauren Artress website - For coaching, workshops and classes.
Veriditas - The nonprofit labyrinth group founded by Lauren Artress
Worldwide Labyrinth Finder - Find a labyrinth to walk near you, or while on vacation
I am a maze artist but I have never made any mazes from Tennessee. If you have suggestions - drop me a note. Otherwise here are some mazes of famous buildings:
