Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail :
Tennessee
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Description:
Whether you're after a picnic, a leisurely stroll, or a brisk bike ride, the 6.5-mile Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail (aka 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 four 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.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Directions from Nashville: Take I-40 West to Exit 204 and head north on Highway 155/Briley Parkway. At Exit 24 take Highway 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 Highway 49 about 10 miles to Ashland City.
To reach the Marks Creek trailhead, take Highway 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
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Ashland City Rail Trail- 6/25/09
By hicksdp on June 27, 2009
We rode the extended trail from the Mark's Creek trailhead to Cheatham Dam Lock A campground. The first 4.3 miles is asphalt paved and the remaining 3 miles is finely packed gravel, almost as smooth as asphalt.
A nice rest room area is about 1/2 mile from Mark's Creek Trailhead. The campground has restrooms & showers and a boat ramp. In summer, much of the river view is obscured by foliage. Wonderful ride or jog!
8 Mile Loop
By jay nicks on December 06, 2007
I rode this trail in August 2007. I rode the 4 mile paved section. I then turned left toward the Cumberland river and rode back on a parallel county road. You can see the RR bridge from the county road.

Jay Nicks
Fall Treat
By Joe McCorkle on October 23, 2006
Beautiful tree canopy full of Fall colors. Topo is river bottom to high bluffs. Waterfalls and old bridges add to the enjoyment.
I highly recommend this walk.
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Mark's Creek Trailhead to Sycamore Harbor Trailhead
Counties: Cheatham
Trail Length: 6.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6017169

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Southeast rail-trails in RTC's Southeast Guidebook.
Trail of the Month: February 2007
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