Canal Loop - Land Between the Lakes

The Canal Loop Trail is a 14.2 mile trail system that includes four connector trails to offer a variety of bike rides. The trail can be accessed from either the North Welcome Station Trailhead or the Kentucky Lake Drive Trail Access. The system provides options from 1.5 miles to 14.2-miles in distance (11.5 mile loop) and is popular because of the less strenuous terrain and scenic lake views. Rating: Easy to moderate; 1200-foot change in elevation.

Directions

Take exit 31 off of Interstate 24. Head south about 4 miles on Highway 453 until you reach the Land Between the Lakes North Welcome Station.

Review & Info

Review: www.mtbr.com/trails/Kentucky/CanalLoop.html

Land Between The Lakes Web site: http://www.lbl.org/

Macedonia Loops AKA Pennyrile - Dawson Springs, KY

Trail consists of 3 interconnected loops. Total length appx 7 miles, but many interesting combinations are possible. 100% singletrack through forest ranging from easy to North Shore type obstacles.

Directions

Trails are in Pennyrile State Forest, Adjacent to Hwy 109, approximately 5 miles south of Dawson Springs. Trailhead is 1 mile west of Hwy 109 on the north entrance road into the Forest. Parking is available near the Macedonia Cemetary.

Review

www.mtbr.com/trails/Kentucky/MacedoniaLoops.html

North South Trail/Jenny Ridge - Land Between the Lakes

The northern portion of the North/South Trail, a 31-mile section, is open to mountain biking and connects the North Welcome Station with the Golden Pond Visitors Center. The point-to-point trail traverses ridge tops, bottomlands, and the shores of Kentucky Lake. Visitors can us this trail in conjunction with LBL's legal roads to make a series of shorter loops. Other opportunities include connecting to the Canal Loop Trail for a total of 45 miles. Rating: Easy to advanced; single-track, logging roads, gravel roads. The Jenny Ridge trail is the 12.7 miles of singletrack north of the Golden Pond Trailhead.

Directions

Take Exit 65 off I-24 and go west about 15 miles to the Golden Pond Visitor's Center in Land Between The Lakes. From the parking lot ride north on The Trace (Hwy 453) about 1/4 mile to the trailhead. You can also reach the N/S trail from the North Welcome Station (directions above).

Review & Info

Review: www.mtbr.com/trails/Kentucky/JennyRidge.html

Land Between The Lakes Web site: http://www.lbl.org/

North/South Hike Bike Trail Map *

Hamilton Creek - Nashville, TN

This trail is more an obstacle course than anything. Tons of rocks and roots. It's really more about balance, coordination and even upper body strength than lung capacity. Virtually no way to build speed due to the tight switchbacks. Probably by design anyway. Virtually no elevation change. If you are looking for long sustained climbs it ain't here. The beginner side is pretty tough to be considered beginner. Great to work on your handling skills. It will beat you up pretty good too. The advanced side is just more of what the beginner side offers really. The builders did an excellent job with what they had to work with.

Directions

Take I-40 towards Knoxville (east). Past the airport and exit at the Stewarts Ferry Pike exit (turn right). Go past all the service stations and grocery stores etc. Follow Stewarts Ferry Pike (it will eventually turn into Bell Road - one of those strange Nashville road things) about 4 miles. On your left will be the Hamilton Creek entrance (turn left) go up the hill and take the first right follow this until it dead-ends and turn right (the BMX track is on your left) This dead-ends as well at the trail head.

Hamilton Creek Trail Map

Fairview - Fairview, TN

This is a nice ride. The terrain is not ultra-technical and can be ridden by beginner and expert alike. The main loop runs about 7.5 miles, a nice distance. This can be cut down for the new rider to about 4.5 or increased to about 9.5 miles via an outer loop for the more advanced rider.

Directions

Take Hwy 100 out of Nashville (at the 100/70 split stay left). Follow this for many miles (est. 20) I will get you more precise mileage. Now the Highway 100 construction is finished, you can go from 70-100 split to Fairview, but watch out because Fairview is becoming a speed trap. Go past the new entrance to Natchez Trace Parkway...You will enter the city of Fairview (obvious by the signs on the road). You will pass a Hardee's on you left and a strip mall on you right (if you see this you are doing great). Continue straight for ~1 mile. on you right is a large company called France Industries. Immediately after their entrance is the entrance to the park (TURN RIGHT). Follow the main road straight in until you come a parking area with restrooms and the lake. Park and R-I-D-E...Trails stem from everywhere!

Chickasaw Trace - Columbia, TN

Chickasaw is suitable for all levels of Mountain Bike riders - from expert racers to 5-year-olds. Several sections of trail have been identified with the signs being constructed and installed through an Eagle Scout project. The trail is a 7.75-mile serpentine loop. If ridden in a clockwise direction from the trailhead at the MTB parking lot, the initial four miles are relatively flat and follow Knob Creek and the Duck River. Upon entering the "Trail of Tears", the final four miles become very difficult, also known as "technical" among Mountain Bike enthusiasts. The course is designed with several entry/exit points so that a rider can pick the parts of the trail that suits him or her. A weekend at Chickasaw will find racers training by doing multiple laps of the entire course or families with small children on their bikes riding the scenic River and Woodland Trails. Maps of the course are available at Columbia Cycling Club's sign located at the Mountain Bike parking field.

Directions

Columbia residents: Chickasaw Park is located on at 1417 New Hwy. 7 in Columbia, TN, almost two miles past the intersection of New Hwy. 7 (Santa Fe Pike) and Industrial Park Road.

From I-65: take Exit 46 and go west on 412. Continue on 412 for 11 miles and exit right on New Hwy. 7 and right again at the end of the exit toward Dickson. Entrance to the park is approximately 4 miles on the left.

From I-40: take Exit 172. Go south on Hwy 46 that eventually becomes Hwy. 7. Stay on Hwy. 7 south for approximately 20 miles. The park is on the right just after the village of Athendale.

Chickasaw Trail Map: http://www.columbiacyclingclub.com/chickasaw1.pdf

Montgomery Bell - White Bluff, TN

This trail is now open after 10 years of intense volunteer effort and has something to offer for every level of rider.The 25 mile trail is all singletrack that follows the natural contours of the rolling and sometimes steep hardwood forest. There is a beautiful spring fed creek that you will overlook in many sections as well as lots of wildlife. The trail consists of five sections identified by color code and lots of easy to read signs at all intersections. They are White (beginner), Blue (intermediate), Red/perimeter (intermediate/advanced), Yellow (advanced), and the Downhill section which is very challenging with deep drops,moguls, and bridges (advanced only!). All sections are rideable by any level of rider but are designated here as to their respective level of difficulty. All sections have some combination of climbs long and short, drop ins, creek crossings, rocks, and other types of natural obstacles. You will definitely have lots of choices depending upon your ability level!

Montgomery Bell Web site: Click Here

Directions

From Nashville Tn, take I-40w approx 20 miles to Dickson/Fairview exit (Hwy 96)and turn L towards Dickson. After approx 10 miles you will T into Hwy 70. Turn R following signs to the park. You will see a "park entrance 500 feet" sign on your right then take 1st L onto Laurel Furnace Rd. Take a R onto Jones Creek Rd and then 2nd L onto Bill Duke Rd. Take immediate R into trailhead parking lot.

Grapevine Lake Loop - Madisonville, KY

There are two basic loops in the woods with several connecting trails. "A" trail goes into the woods on the left close to the entrance to the primitive park. It is mostly single track with a little bit of an old wagon road thrown in. There used to be a very old coal mine in this area so exploring different little paths may bring you a little different scenery. The trail winds around the right side of the lake and comes back to the road by the boat ramp and crosses over to the left loop. Most of this side is single track with a lot of tight twisty runs in the woods. It will come out close to the highway entrance, back at the beginning of "A" Trail. Elevation changes shown by topographic maps are approximately 100 feet.

A lot of work has been done here lately. Most of the trail system has been raked. Great place for new riders. Nothing technical yet but plans to add some stuff are in the works.

Directions

From the Pennyrile Parkway, exit at the Earlington Exit. Highway 336 runs beside the parkway on the west side. Follow it past Groves Electrical Contractors to the four way stop (approx 1 mile). There will be a Pantry Food Mart on the corner. About 200 feet before you get to the 4-way there will be a blacktop entrance to the right. There are several trail entrances off of that road.

Review

www.mtbr.com/trails/Kentucky/GrapevineLakeLoop.html

Lock 4 - Galatin, TN

Considered a great scramble trail. The singletrack is twisty and narrow at times. Some 4X4 roads for high speed. Hard to get lost since its on a peninsula. There are many intersections, but follow the yellow arrows for the main route. In the process of number trails for new riders. Stop at the local bike shop for maps and info. Trails are well maintained by local bike club. Not too hilly but a definate aerobic workout. Trail Length: 6.5 miles

Lock 4 Web site: http://www.lock4.org/

Directions

From I-40, turn north on St Rd 109. Go Approx 15 miles. Just over Cumberland River Bridge, turn left on Sweet Holly Rd. Go to road deadends and turn left on Lock 4 road. Follow to end of road, park at old silo.

Road Bike Riding - Christian County, KY

Christian County, Kentucky has over 250 miles of paved secondary roads, the most of any county in Kentucky. Whether you want the fast, flat farmlands of the southern portion of the county or the challenge of the hills of the north, contact us for some recommendations.