Cars are tolerated there but arent the primary user there. Lynnette weve lived in the nashville area since 2001 and all 3 of our houses have been situated relatively close to the natchez trace parkway. At home, she uses the tablet as an ebook reader, having finally given up mostly reading paperbased books, but this is the first trip shes tried. For questions, contact the chief rangers office monday thru friday 8 am4. Work on the parkway was started in 1937 and in 1938 it. And, a bonus, another local rider, ken, also saw the post and signed up, so i and my bicycle and camping gear could get a ride down to nashville with him. Bicycling the natchez trace parkway the natchez trace parkway bicycle route spans 444 miles between natchez, mississippi and nashville, tennessee. We rode our gravel bikes and camped along the way considering it was a shake out ride for longer off road adventures to come. In fact, the entire length of the natchez trace parkway is designated as a bicycle tour route.
The natchez trace has been designated as one of the top 10 u. A guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes. Heres a happy little video that hopefully captures a bit. Magnolia trees and mossdraped oaks add a charming flavor to quiet country roads. Cycle along this recreational byway while soaking in all the natural beauty and wildlife it has to offer. Casual riders and intense trainers alike take to the road when the weather is good and even when it is not. In fact, the whole route was designated as a bike route. Youll visit historic sites, enjoy scenic backroad riding, and get. Cycling the natchez trace parkway nps photo some are individualists who want to travel light, and alone, and prefer to camp under the stars. March 30april 8as usual, our little vacation became kind of epic. The astounding scenery, the winding road, a relatively low speed limit and few cars all make the trace prime riding locale. Apr 27, 2018 i was pondering which tour to take when a message appeared on one of my many bikerelated lists. Because the central feature of the natchez trace parkway is a 444mile, tristate motor road. The natchez trace was a path of least resistance back to nashville after floating barges down to natchez from the north.
Youll get a pretty good grasp of what you can expect while bicycling on the natchez trace parkway. Mar 28, 2019 the natchez trace parkway is a 444 mile 715 km national park bicycle route that espn calls one of the ten best biking roads in america. Without his book, a huge amount of time and energy would have been wasted trying to find out where the services along the route are. The natchez parkway stretches 450 miles from the hills of nashville, tennessee, to the rich farmland natchez, mississippi.
In 2003 eric, dave, and i decided to ride part of the natchez trace trail. Numerous signs instruct cars to share the road with bicycles. Friends marcia katz, susan baum, sara ostrofsky and ann goldfarb took a galpal trip, bike riding the natchez trace from jackson to natchez, miss. Man charged after cyclist hit along natchez trace parkway. Bicycling the natchez trace parkway mississippi, alabama. Here are some tips for bicycling on the natchez trace parkway. Six days on the natchez trace parkway, by paul nace.
Natchez trace bike tour classic adventures bicycling. Our bicycle tour starts in the historic town of natchez mississippi which houses several historical landmarks and also the souther terminus of the natchez trace parkway. A guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes paperback september 30, 2005 by glen wanner author. Bicycling the natchez trace wandering through time and place. In april of 2010 jerry and several of his cycling friends biked the trace follow this link to view pictures of their trip. When the friend bowed out, i was really excited and schemed my wayread more. Ten things you need to know about bicycling the parkway. Touring the natchez trace by bicycle day 1 youtube. My first real bike tour and a great learning experience 480 miles 772 km over 7 days from april 18, 2003 to april 24, 2003.
Six days on the natchez trace parkway my first real bike tour and a great learning experience 480 miles 772 km over 7 days from april 18, 2003 to april 24, 2003. Mar, 2017 last may, two friends and i spent a week bicycling the entirety of the 444mile natchez trace parkway from nashville, tn to natchez, ms. Search for library items search for lists search for. The natchez trace trail is 440 miles long and follows the route of the old trace which extends from nashville, tennessee to natchez, mississippi. The goal is to make a visit to the park a safe and enjoyable experience for motorists, cyclists, hikers, and every other visitor.
Tips for biking the natchez trace parkway the natchez. Follow in ancient footsteps as you travel by bicycle along the natchez trace parkway from natchez, ms to nashville, tn with lizard head cycling guides. During their trip, they enjoyed delicious southern treats like cheese grits, fried green tomatoes and gumbo and a strawberry birthday cake to celebrate anns 64th birthday. Special use permits bicycles natchez trace parkway u. This national scenic byway is perfectly suited for cycling and one of the finest twowheel experiences you will ever encounter. How to spend the best day along the natchez trace parkway. The entrance to the trace is on the eastern side of natchez. Bicycling the natchez trace a guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes by glen wanner this is the guide that you need for biking the trace. The national park service has designated the entire 444 miles as a bicycle route, where bicyclists can relax and enjoy an exceptionally scenic roadway, unspoiled by commercial signage or development, and offering up gorgeous vistas at every turn. Cyclists are by law allowed to take the whole lane. There are no traffic lights or billboards its beautiful. Lynne bachleda is an excellent resource both for planning and enjoying your trip. Louis, the katy trail in missouri, the george mickelson trail in south dakota, around lake champlain, through north dakotas theodore roosevelt national park, south dakotas badlands national park, through the netherlands, and to many more interesting.
Biking the natchez trace is a cyclists dream come true. The distances are modest and although there are a few days where the mileage may seem overwhelming, the support van is always there to provide a lift. I planned to take ten days to go each way, with nine riding days averaging just under 50 miles80 kilometers each and one slackrest day. It was actually first formed by prehistoric animals following the dry ground of the trace to the distant grazing grounds in what is now middle tennessee.
Originally an indian path, the natchez trace became the road that opened the forested wilderness of the deep south to settlers, soldiers, boatment and outlaws. Bicycling the natchez trace preface bikesbytesbites. The natchez trace parkway is a 444 mile 715 km national park bicycle route that espn calls one of the ten best biking roads in america. See more cycling the natchez trace photos click here. Classic adventures enjoys the distinction of being the original. The natchez trace parkway has bicycleonly campgrounds. Ive ridden the natchez trace in mississippi, the great river road from st.
Bicycling the natchez trace days 12 bikesbytesbites. Youll delve into the old south and antebellum past as you tour storied civil war battlefields with a local historian and set your own pace on a pilgrimage through historic homes and gardens. In glen wanners book, bicycling the natchez trace youll find the best locations along the trace for food, water and lodging, plus lots of practical advice to make your bike ride even more enjoyable. A local rider, scott, was leading the aca natchez trace tour in the april of 2018. Cars need to respect the fact that this nation tolerates their presence on the trace. Tom and i bicycled northbound on the natchez trace from natchez to just outside nashville in june 2019. Natchez trace bicycle tour cycling the natchez trace.
Youll visit historic sites, enjoy scenic backroad riding, and get a taste of the deep south. Special use permit requests must be submitted ten business days prior to the event. This historic, 444mile scenic parkway links natchez with nashville and crosses some of the most beautiful terrain in the states of mississippi. They would ride a 500 mile route up the natchez trace from natchez to nashville. Jan 21, 2016 bicycle tour of the natchez trace day 1. Well also enjoy trips off the trace to nearby vicksburg, one of the most historic and pivotal locations of the civil war, and stopovers adjacent to the trace in natchez and jackson. Glen wanners book, bicycling the natchez trace was an extremely valuable resource for this trip. The natchez trace parkway bicycle route spans 444 miles between natchez, mississippi and nashville, tennessee.
Biking the natchez trace is a cyclists dream come true, and why we do it four times a year. What do you need to take on a natchez trace parkway biking. Want to get your children excited about taking a trip on the natchez trace. See more ideas about natchez trace, bicycle and bike. Applications may be faxed to 662 6804034 or mailed to chief rangers. Special note book arriving flight to nashville, tn and returning flights from jackson, ms. Cycling the natchez trace part 1 jennifer and zachs adventures. Tips for biking the natchez trace parkway the natchez trace. The natchez trace is a an unforgettable road that stretches 444 miles from the mississippi river in natchez through the shoals area in alabama across tennessees cumberland plateau and on to nashville. A bicycle guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearhy scenic routes by glen wanner a copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Most cyclists dont need any convincing to want to bike the natchez trace. Driving might be a popular way to enjoy the natchez trace parkway, but biking is the best. However, there are no shoulders or designated bike lanes.
When planning your natchez trace trip, having brochures on hand will help guide and enhance your journey that much more. Tour diaries, equipment lists, 36 days, first tour. Natchez to rocky springs this is just a little video highlighting points on our bike trip june 20 27 2015. A guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes by glen wanner 2005, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Natchez trace cycling works with the national park service and adventure cycling association to study and improve safety conditions on the parkway. In addition to the three campgrounds open to all visitors, bicyclists can enjoy. This started out to be a cycling trip becky was going to take with a friend. Picture yourself bicycling along this magnificent route, with only nature to surround you and soothe your spirits. The interaction with traffic along the trace is the best you can ever hope for and the country you ride through is beautiful and fascinating.
Natchez trace bicycle tour cycle of life adventures. It was actually first formed by prehistoric animals following the dry ground of the trace to. And want to pack this book and take it with you when you ride. A planned roundtrip selfsupported ride down and back up the natchez trace parkway on a 2016 surly disc trucker with a rohloff hub. Enjoy true southern hospitality from the people of mississippi on this natchez trace bike tour. North american tours classic adventures bicycling vacations. Natchez actually vidalia to rocky springs campground 55 miles the group started the day by crossing the mississippi river and following the mississippi river trail through natchez. The natchez trace is an historic forest trail roughly 444 miles 710 km from natchez, mississippi to nashville, tennessee. The natchez trace compelling history and scenic cycling merge seamlessly on this laidback reel through the natchez trace trail.
A bicycle guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearhy scenic routes by glen wanner 1997, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Last may, two friends and i spent a week bicycling the entirety of the 444mile natchez trace parkway from nashville, tn to natchez, ms. Others may want to enjoy the comfort and charm of a bed and breakfast at night and then, of course, the delicious homecooked breakfast the following morning. Our natchez trace tour offers the best of the antebellum south traditional hospitality, early american history, and distinctive architecture. Having traveled widely in all 50 states and many countries, and having read countless guidebooks, i can say that this one is definitely better than most.
All bicyclists agree, pedaling out to cycle the scenic natchez trace parkway offers an easygoing, easytolove experience. Natchez trace bike tour classic adventures bicycling vacations. National park service designates the entire parkway as a bike route. Natchez trace bike tour lizard head cycling guides. This is the guide that you need for biking the trace. Travel along the scenic natchez trace parkway from ridgeland to natchez, a southern jewel of a town. The wind will be harder from the south as the summer comes on. In 1918 the precursor to the natchez trace association was created with the rallying cry of pave the trace.
Top 10 reasons to bicycle the natchez trace parkway. The roads are in fabulous condition and only the northern end has any hills to speak of. Bicycling the natchez trace by glen wanner, hardcover. The north end has a lot more hills than the south, but none of them are very hard. Apr 09, 2007 march 30april 8as usual, our little vacation became kind of epic. According to a sign posted there by the national park service, old trace is a wilderness road that originated from a series of trails used by the southeastern indian tribes. Applications may be faxed to 662 6804034 or mailed to chief rangers office, 2680 natchez trace parkway, tupelo, ms 38804. Because the central feature of the natchez trace parkway is a 444mile, tristate motor road, maps are an important tool to make your visit more enjoyable. Jerry dusterhoff, an avid cyclist who has written books and blog articles about his numerous bicycle trips, was more than willing to offer his expertise on this topic. When it comes to cycling, the natchez trace parkway is your ticket to ride. Although the scenery was pretty steady lush and beautiful, the weather was a mixed bag of sunny hot days, and warm. This book provides a detailed description of the trace and offers valuable helpful hints for bicycling the trace.