I'm thinking about riding down and up the Natchez Trail with my Dad later on this year. It's 444 miles each way and we'll only have 3 days to get it done. With all the potential places to stop along the way, is this enough time or will we be pushing it.?

Any suggestions on places to stay, things to see and where to eat?

 

Three 300 mile days at 50 mph max. Long stretches at 40 mph. Won't have much time to stop.

 

I personally found that the Natchez Trail Parkway is boring after a short time. Worth a look, but not for all day. But lots of people have a different opinion I'm sure.

 

I like to take two days one way otherwise you can't really see anything. The best riding is in the northern section. But just north of Jackson is a nice swamp with a boardwalk section where needed, that's very scenic. In a swampy green sort of way.

I ride to photograph and that's my favorite part. That can be done in a day and a half.

 

If it was me, I would plan on 2 days one way, then plan another route home. I enjoy the slow pace, but 2 days on the Trace is enough for a couple years for me.

 

The Natchez Trace is a good ride for a day or "maybe" two. I rode from Nashville 160 miles south and turned around to retrace it on a rented bike. VERY few amenities on the parkway itself. Nice enough for bucolic scenery but as another poster mentioned it can be boring. But if you choose to go with your Dad - good on ya !

 

We are riding the trace this summer. Starting in Nashville. Going to stay in Tupelo the first night. I figure it will be a full two days.

 

Rode the Trace all the way in 2003. The speed limit is 50 mph, and it's 400+ miles. We rode one way in 2 days. Very peaceful ride and well worth the time in my opinion.

Bill

 

I appreciate the responses. I thought it looked like we would be pushing it to do the entire down and back in 3 days so we'll probably just head out and see where we get in the 3 days we have. Glad to hear the northern section is the best since we'll be starting there.

I'm looking forward to it, my dad is in his 70's and it's the first time we'll have ridden together.

Any ideas on interesting places to stop, eat or stay overnight?

Thanks again.

 

Cort, "Interesting places to stop?" OK I pulled out my Natchez Trace Parkway, Park Service map. By my count they have 106 places to stop consisting of lakes, rivers, swamps, overlooks, mines, stands, springs, burial mounds, old trace hikes, campgrounds, etc.

Hiking on the original trace can be spooky, it's sunken, with vines hanging down and spiders, snakes and other creepy crawley things falling off. I love it. As a photographer I try to see beyond what's in front of me. You also need an interest in history to appreciate it.

If your looking for high speed tight turns, amusement park attractions or mountain top views you would be bored and should go elsewhere.

Anyone who has an interest in how this country was founded and expanded west will find that sections of the Trace will put you right into the middle of it.

It is a calm, peaceful, low stress ride with much to offer to those who are willing to slow down and let the Trace come to them. A state of mind. It's just like riding a Harley, some understand and some don't.

Some would never ride it again and others ride it whenever heading south.