Find the top rated trails in Crossville, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail, a rails-with-trail project, is envisioned to run 19 miles alongside refurbished railroad tracks from Cookeville to Monterey, Tennessee. As of Oct. 2016, a...
The Eureka Trail begins in the southeast Tennessee city of Athens, about midway between Chattanooga and Knoxville (about an hour's drive from either). Gardens, benches, and other amenities can be...
The Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail, a rails-with-trail project, is envisioned to run 19 miles alongside refurbished railroad tracks from Cookeville to Monterey, Tennessee. As of Oct. 2016, a...
The Eureka Trail begins in the southeast Tennessee city of Athens, about midway between Chattanooga and Knoxville (about an hour's drive from either). Gardens, benches, and other amenities can be...
The Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail, a rails-with-trail project, is envisioned to run 19 miles alongside refurbished railroad tracks from Cookeville to Monterey, Tennessee. As of Oct. 2016, a...
I am visiting this area. Staying at the KOA campsite in Sweetwater. It's only 16 miles from there. So far this is a very clean Trail well maintained. One way in one way out you cannot get lost. this is beginning of March. There is a river running along the trail. It is very peaceful and calming.
Cookeville is a great town with lots of good scenery....but this trail shows little of it. Once you cross Washington and head east, everything is industrial.
This trail is almost completely shaded so a great ride even on the hottest days. Gravel on the last third of the trail can get a bit large so don't take a road bike unless you like fixing flats. Has just enough grade to keep you pedalling most of the way. If you're on a bike be aware some people on horseback will be on skittish horses.
Took my 9 yr old riding last weekend. Parked at the Depot in Cookeville. The TN Central passenger excursion train was there....amazing to see it running with people going to Nasville. Rode all the way to Algood end. Flat, well marked, wide, 4mi ride out. Came back and ate ice cream at Ice Cream City downtown. Perfection! Bravo Cookeville. Cant wait until the Monterey and Baxter extwnsions open up.
Nine miles of easy riding! For folks coming from Fairfield Glade this is very welcome. There are three access points with parking and restrooms: the depot end, the Algood Community center at the other end and Cinderella park about halfway on the trail. The scenery is not the best. That and the need more signage is why I rated it only four stars. The depot end is worth extra time for a stop for history and food. Overall, I like it and will do it again with friends. Congrats to Cookville.
I noticed that about 10 weeks ago (05-10-2017) some type of grader was run along the surface. It dislodged all of the larger rocks that had been tamped down into the bed of the track. It is now very rough and unpleasant to ride. Leave it alone!!!
This review pertains to the 4.5 mile Cookeville to Algood section of the trail.
My wife and I have biked this trail several times since before it even opened, and I love that we now have this local option - and in many ways, this is really a pretty good trail. But, there are real usability issues with it - thus only 3 stars.
First the good...
Quite gentle grades make this trail accessible to riders of all levels.
The newly paved surfaces and upgraded wide sidewalks are a joy to ride on.
Access is great - ample, safe parking at the depot, cinderella park, and Algood community center plus several minor access points mean that many area residents can get on the trail with little or no driving or parking issues.
REAL bathrooms and water are available at the Depot and at Cinderella park. Some great trails are somewhat lacking in this department - Shelby park greenway in Nashville for example.
The Cookeville end of the trail passes through some of the more interesting parts of town and is my favorite section.
Cinderella Park is just about halfway between the two ends of the trail - so parking there gives you the option of doing one half at a time - a good option if you are not in great shape, or if the temps are not ideal.
The Cinderalla park trail head is a good place for a group picnic - with a nice basketball court, playground, grills, and a covered picnic shelter - to start or end a ride.
However - the not so good...
First and foremost the street crossing at North Washington is not at all kid-friendly. Not very adult-friendly either. If there is a lot of traffic it can be pretty intimidating for many riders. Something else really needs to be worked out.
There are several other street crossings - most of which - other than Fisk rd - are very low traffic side streets and really not a problem. But again kids need to be well supervised. None of the other crossings are nearly as troubling as N. Washington.
I really enjoy this trail and its convenient location - but the truth is, that much of the scenery isn't very scenic. The old downtown district with the depot, historical buildings, and farmer's market and the cruise along the edge of the TTU campus is very nice, but other parts of the trail are pretty much the back end of steel commercial buildings. It's not a great negative, not trashy or unsafe - just not attractive scenery.
Three out of five stars sounds worse than I want it to - I really like this trail being very close to my home. But if you have ever ridden on the Chattanooga river park trail or the Nashville Shelby park trail, or the Virginia Creeper trail you will understand why this isn't really a 4-5 star experience. Maybe someday it will be. Fingers crossed.
During frequent trail walks I've encountered agressive Dogs on this trail around the intersection of the Route 439 (Fairview Rd) intersection with the trail. Dogs chase bicycles and other "leashed" animals. The dogs always appear to be in the same location so I suspect they belong to residents who live nearby. If this situation continues to go unchecked I suspect trail users will begin to avoid the trail or begin protect themselves and their pets.
Trail Managers need to resolve this problem as quickly as possible to avoid a potential incident that is just waiting to happen.
The ribbon cutting on October 18, 2016 officially opened our attractive Rail Trail! Come enjoy it if you haven't yet! When I rode it recently after a rainstorm, I saw a turtle crossing the trail near Algood in the late afternoon. Maybe we need a turtle crossing sign! I also saw a hawk fly overhead into the woods on the north side of the trail east of Fisk Rd. Pretty wildflowers and juniper bushes make it scenic. Come bike or walk! You'll have fun!
Thank you Rail Trail Authority for 11 years of cooperation and persistence! Thank you Cookeville, Algood, TDOT, Bill Drunsic of the railroad right of way, the state of Tennessee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Michael Detwiler -- Rep. Diane Black's district manager, and donors for your support! We appreciate your efforts to help our communities keep active and get in shape year round! Happy trails to you!
Warmly, Diane Glasgow
The Eureka Trail is lovely. I have walked and biked the entire trail which is mostly shaded. Great for all ages of walkers and riders (bikers and horseback!). I'm looking forward to the next phase of the trail being completed!
The Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail had its grand opening this past weekend (Sept 15th) and I had the pleasure of a round trip bike ride from Algood to downtown Cookeville and back. What a wonderful resource to have available in our community! Several individuals and families were enjoying leisurely walks and I passed a few other cyclists during my trip. The route is a smooth ride on the paved Rails-with-Trails route with a few sharp turns and occasional street and/or rail crossing. It is a very safe trail with all intersections clearly marked for both trail user and drivers. Elevation changes are gradual making this trail accessible for all ages and abilities. Future projects could consider garbage cans and bike racks. Also, be on the lookout for some fabulous art installations along the trail from Cookeville's own Brad Sells and ART (Art Round Tennessee)!
I plan to use this trail for my daily bike commute from home to work. I encourage everyone to experience this lovely addition to middle Tennessee.
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