From animal path to Indian trail to wilderness road, the Natchez Trace once traversed hundreds of miles of unbroken virgin forests. Today, the Trace is known as the Natchez Trace Parkway National Park, 444 miles of paved roadway extending from its northern terminus, just south of Nashville, TN, to Natchez, MS. The Parkway represents the culmination of decades of dedication and determination to preserve the history and heritage of this region. The Trace is an account of thousands of years of human habitation in the south, from the early Native American tribes to the settlers who breached the Appalachian barrier in their westward quest for new lands. It is also the antebellum south and a chronicle of the Civil War.
The nature of the parkway, seventy years in its planning and construction, was never intended as a major corridor of commerce connecting major population centers of the south. Instead, its purpose was to offer travelers an opportunity to experience the history and heritage of the region. The Parkway is rural in character as it winds through miles of forested ridges and broad river valleys. There is no commercial traffic permitted on the Parkway – in other words, no logging trucks, 18-wheelers, billboards, or strip malls. One must leave the Parkway to access lodging, restaurants and stores. Without a doubt, the Parkway is a cyclist’s fantasy – it is one of America’s premier cycling experiences.
Our Bike Tour Schedule
We’ll assemble just south of Nashville and begin our journey along the Trace near Milepost 442 at the northern terminus of the Trace. The first day is challenging, with more climbing than subsequent days, as we ascend, then roll along the ridge top terrain with spectacular vistas. As we move farther south, the terrain levels out. Some days we can bike to a nearby lodge, but on others, we will need to shuttle with the van. This flexibility will keep our days fairly even with mileage, and allow us to enjoy each day to the fullest, without missing a mile of the historic parkway. It also means we can access some lovely B&B’s along the route. The support van will be full of healthy energy food to keep you going all day, and we can also carry specialty items you have purchased to have available at the SAG stops. As there are no services along the route, we will provide picnic lunches on riding days.
A bonus event on this tour is a layover day in Vicksburg, MS. – a city rich in civil war and antebellum history. A bike or vehicle tour through the Vicksburg National Military Park and Battelfield will be offered. Beyond Jackson, it is just 2 more days to complete the Parkway.
