I have an opportunity to cycle a quick out and back on the Natchez Trace and would like to cover about 75 to 150 miles in one direction. Given this ride's limit, is there any section of the Trace that you would recommend over other sections given local attractions or scenery?

If it matters to you, the most hilly section is the northerly most portion closer to Nashville.

The northern section is the most scenic. Below Tupelo it's mostly flat and pine trees.

The northern end is the hilliest, so you've got the best chance of a view. One nice ride would be to start at the northern terminus, ride down to Leiper's Fork for lunch (there's a bar and grill about a mile E of the Trace), and return. That would get you over the bridge that mysteriously shows up on almost every Natchez Trace propaganda.


You might want to stop some distance north of Cherokee, AL, and ride across the Tennessee River bridge. If it's not windy. "Fine dining" there is only a couple of gas stations, IIRC, but it's better than what's actually on the Trace. The climbing is not as steep or relentless there than the northern end.


There's another place where there's "civilization" mile or two off the Trace in between, but I can't remember where that is.


Stop for water whenever you can.

Thanks for the information. I looked up some of the grades and I did find one small section with a grade of 10 percent. For me, grades of 10 percent or more take a lot out of the fun of cycling. But a hill or two in a day is manageable. I certainly found the grades differences between the north and south to be everything that you said. I've made a note of your other suggestions as well.

Thanks again for the information. Originally, I intended to bike the Natchez Traceway on my way back from Florida but that didn’t work out for me. I made a separate trip to bike the northern section from Tupelo to Nashville. I agree, this is a beautiful stretch. The facilities were well maintained and the distance between them kept me hydrated. The grades were very manageable even though the length of some turned out to bequite a grinder. I did read a book from the library, Bicycling The Natchez Trace, that offered a number of out-and-back trips from the Trace but did not opt to so because the book was rather dated. However, I now believe they still would’ve been relatively safe and enjoyable. I did get off the Trace on a number of occasions and really enjoyed the change in scenery but my ankle bones appeared attractive to a number of dogs whenever I did so.

Glad you enjoyed your trip.


Just remember, hot pepper spray is the flavor dogs don't enjoy. Hot pepper sausage as a sunscreen brings the dogs out of the trees.