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Biking the Natchez Trace is a cyclist’s dream come true, and is the reason why we do it ten times a year. The roads are in fabulous condition and only the northern end has any hills to speak of. 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. The road is well marked with 442 roadside mileage markers making it almost impossible to get lost.
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Natchez Trace Bike Tour Areas: Tennessee/Alabama/Mississippi
The Trace is rural in nature and carries no commercial traffic. That means no bus fumes, no tractor trailers, no billboards or shopping centers. We picnic almost daily, so that we can stay on the beautiful road and take advantage of great picnic and restroom facilities. In the evening, we will overnight in small southern towns just off the Trace.
The history of the Trace goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The Trace was inhabited by Native American Tribes, settlers who found their way over the Appalachian Mountains, trappers and traders heading home to the north, civil war soldiers with their horses, and farmers moving their herds to market.
Small towns are scattered minutes off the Trace. The Northern terminus is just south of Nashville, TN. Other substantial towns are Florence, AL; Tupelo MS; Jackson, MS; and Vicksburg, MS. Relax and enjoy the ride!
Typical Itinerary: The north to south route is our usual route. South to north is an option for your custom tour if you would like, with the identical mileage, and with the same stopping points.
Check out our NEW Natchez Challenge – Race The Trace Bike Tour, designed for advanced and avid cyclists
Travel
- Assembly: Drive to our starting hotel, Home2Suites, located in Bellevue, TN. Plan on arriving by 3pm for bike assembly and tune up. You may leave your car there for the week.
- Airline Travel Options: airline service to Nashville, TN and depart from Jackson, MS.
- Airport pick up time: 2pm in Nashville
- Drop off 4pm in Jackson.
- If you opt to catch a van ride back to Nashville, we will stay over in the Jackson Suburbs and arrive to Nashville the following day by 2pm.
- Train: Amtrak Train service is not a viable option for Nashville. Train service is available from Jackson, Mississippi, after the tour, if you would like to travel to another destination.
- Shipping: If you are shipping your bicycle, you may ship it to Trace Bikes in Nashville or to our starting Hotel. Call your tour guides for more details.
Driving Time
Drive Time in hours from Nashville to other major cities:
- Atlanta – 3.75 hours
- Memphis – 3 hours
- St. Louis – 4.5 hours
- Cincinnati – 4 hours
- Charlotte – 6.25 hours
- New Orleans – 7.5 hours
- Chicago – 7 hours
- Detroit – 8 hours
Accommodations
All lodging is included
Additional Attractions
- Vicksburg National Battle Field – Vicksburg, MS
- Southern Arts and Crafts Center – Ridgeland, MS
- French Camp Historic Village – French Camp, MS
- 90 Historic markers and land sites
Find many Natchez Trace Favorites on NatchezTraceTravel.com
Special Note
Book arriving flight to Nashville, TN and returning flights from Jackson, MS. Call the office for details. Additional travel option can be arranged for anyone staying over.
We cannot accommodate tricycles on this tour.
Dinner, Orientation and Social hour
Itineraries
Day 1
Northern Terminus; Bellevue, TN to Hohenwald, TN
Rolling Hills of TN and our highest elevation of the week at just over 1000 feet above sea level. Spectacular riding and farmland. Birdsong Hollow – Double Arch bridge – Gordon House Historic site – Fall Hollow Water Falls
62 miles
Day 2
Hohenwald, TN to Florence, AL
Generally flat and some small rolling hills. Highlights include: Meriwether Lewis Burial grounds, Sunken Trace, Historic downtown Florence district, Muscle Shoals recording studio, Trail of Tears memorial wall
66 miles
Day 3
Florence, AL to Tupelo, MS
Highlights include: Tennessee River crossing, Tenn-Tom Waterway, Numerous Trace historic markers, Tupelo Hardware Store where Elvis Presley bought his first guitar. It is a colorful retail establishment often with guest appearances by Elvis impersonators.
Up to 80 miles
Day 4
Tupelo, MS to French Camp, MS
Gently rolling and flat roads in a very Rural area. Highlights include: Bynum Mounds, Chickasaw Agency, Historic French Camp Academy, a private Christian-based school that operates within the Village and also our layover for the evening. This quaint, but nicely decorated B&B and log cabins, are maintained and operated by students and the school staff.
Up to 86 miles
Day 5
French Camp, MS to Ridgeland, MS
Generally flat road in a very rural area. Highlights include: The Kosciusko Welcome and Visitors Center, which includes a well-done summary of local history and current day events and offerings, The upper Choctaw Boundary, Cypress Swamp, and Bike Trails into Ridgeland with upscale shops and fine dining.
Up to 80 miles
Day 6
Ridgeland, MS to Port Gibson, MS
Gently rolling hills. A strong rider may opt to ride the hilly terrain in Vicksburg Battlefield. Highlights include: numerous Civil War markers, The Sunken Trace, Vicksburg Battlefield with guided NPS guide, local history and presentation by our innkeeper.
Up to 76 miles
Day 7
Port Gibson, MS to Natchez, MS
Flat and gently rolling roads. Highlights include: Emerald Indian Mounds, Lunch overlooking the Mississippi River.
37 miles
Included
- All lodging
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Van transport back to Nashville if desired – additional overnight accommodation required
- All breakfasts, 6 dinners and picnic lunches on riding days
- Cocktail social hours on the 1st evening of each tour
- Van support
- Maps
- GPS mapping
- Mechanic
- 2 or more experienced guides
Not Included
- Airfare
- Meals on off days
- Souvenirs
- 12% gratuity for guides, mechanics, volunteers and tour staff is not included, but greatly appreciated
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