Description
Whether you're after a picnic, a leisurely stroll or a brisk bike ride, the 6.5-mile Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail (a.k.a. Ashland City Rail-Trail) will enchant you as it meanders past lively streams and waterfalls, across misty wetlands and atop jagged bluffs along the Cumberland River. Only 20 minutes northwest of downtown Nashville, it connects users with the great outdoors along two adjoining segments.
A mile north of town, the Marks Creek trailhead offers parking, portable toilets and helpful trail signage. Here begins the Trestle Bridge trail section, an Ashland City park since 1997. This paved, wheelchair-accessible corridor runs 4 miles northwest to the Sycamore Harbor trailhead. The first mile leads past trickling waterfalls and spring dogwood blooms to the Turkey Junction Native Gardens & Comfort Station, a great spot to relax and refuel.
The onward route threads past secluded lakes and a designated waterfowl area to an impressive railroad bridge. One of six original trestles along the trail, it offers sweeping views of the wetlands that border the Cumberland. The trail soon ends at the Sycamore Harbor trailhead on Chapmansboro Road.
From its trailhead on Chapmansboro Road, the Eagle Pass trail section runs 2.5 miles through equally beautiful surroundings to the Cheatham Lock and Dam campground. Its compacted gravel surface is unsuitable for road bikes, so strap on your hiking boots or hop on your mountain bike. To extend your trek, pitch a tent at the campground and save the return trip for another day.
Parking and Trail Access
Directions from Nashville: Take I-40 West to Exit 204 and head north on SR 155/Briley Parkway. At Exit 24 take SR 12/Hydes Ferry Pike/Ashland City Highway about 13 miles west into town.
Or take I-24 West to Exit 24 and head south on SR 49 about 10 miles to Ashland City.
To reach the Marks Creek trailhead, take SR 12 about a mile north of town. Just past the bridge by the Deerfield Inn, turn left on Chapmansboro Road. The marked trailhead is on the right.
Contact:
Ashland City Parks & Recreation Department
233 Tennessee Waltz Parkway, Suite 101
Ashland City, TN 37015
615-792-2655
Awesome Ride
By
dtrinkley
in
October, 2012
Rode the trail today 10-28-12. The trail is just awesome. although the trail is easy to ride it is filled with plenty of things to see. Will ride it again soon.
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By
allenharrell
in
September, 2012
This is a very well maintained trail. Like someone posted before, it is about 4.5 miles of paved and 2-3 miles of hard packed gravel. Canopy over 99% of the ride, so riding on a hot day shouldn't be a problem. Depending upon what you are looking for, ...
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A Gem in Hiding!!!
By
mrcycle205
in
June, 2012
It was an unsuually cool morning for June 14th (Flag Day) but we knew it would warm up soon enough. We took to the trail early,about 7:30am CST, encountering noone for at least 2 miles into our trip. The asphalt section is a breeze for about 4.5 miles ...
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