A very wide gravel trail with plenty of shade, hills and great scenery. There’s a bathroom and water stop in the middle.

We walked this in two different sections. The first time we started in Madison, where you have to just park on the side of the road, and walked almost to the picnic area just outside of Pinetta. The next time we parked in Pinetta at the parking area in town by the picnic tables and restrooms and walked to the river and then back to the same picnic area outside of Pinetta. Most of the trail is very shady, which is great in our southern heat. If you are heading to the river, be sure and spray with Off or some other type of bug repellent as the biting flies can be pretty bad at times. Wish I could figure out how to upload my pictures because it is really a pretty hike.

From beginning to end the ride took about an hour each way. The shade and rest spots along the way were a welcomed reprieve from the sun and gave us a chance to apply more sunscreen and drink some water. The ride takes you past numerous pastures and livestock. Shady oaks cover most of the trail. It was a bit difficult to find parking. We ended up parallel parking on a residential street.

The Four Freedoms Trail is a pretty 12 mile trail that parallels a state highway for much of the way. A strip of trees provides a buffer from the road noise and wind. It has several sections of oak canopy and traverses some very pretty countryside. The final two plus miles north of Pinetta are more isolated and do not parallel the highway. Unfortunately, as others have pointed out, the trail is poorly maintained. I rode my road bike (with cyclocross tires) on today's ride. There are numerous tree roots, some potholes, sandy spots, and a lot of debris (leaves, twigs, branches) on portions of the trail. The majority of the trail is doable for road bikes but the section immediately south of Pinetta (miles 7 to 8.5) is very rough and is best suited for mountain bikes or hybrids. The trail has great potential if someone from the state or county is willing to take care of it.

We rode from southern terminus 10 mikes north and back on a Saturday afternoon in January. Plentiful parking there. Trail is tree lined on both sides. Includes mile markers. Ample covered benches and bathrooms. Miles 12-13 were a little bumpy from tree roots. Moderate usage but never crowded. Most road crossings were lightly traveled. Overall, a really nice trail.

I typically ride this trail very early on Saturday mornings, from just south of Capital Circle trailhead down to St Marks and back. It’s a real joy to ride.

It’s heavily shaded, in very good condition and with clear mile markers. Major road crossing at about mile 9.7 or so, as well as a few others marked on the map. Scenic and a joy to ride, with ample opportunities to kick it into high gear if that’s your thing. The St Marks mile marker says “16” but it’s actually 15.75 miles.

As with any longer ride, I strongly suggest you bring rain gear, a pump, extra tubes and basic tools, as well as snacks and two water bottles.

Very good idea to put flashing lights on your front and rear to get the attention of drivers at road crossings, especially since you may get a little zoned out after a few hours of cycling, and since some drivers may run a stop sign or otherwise cause issues even when you have the right of way. Also good to wear orange!

Good solo ride, duo or group ride. Flat and mostly straight. And fun.

this is a very easy, flat, paved trail that is good for walking, running or cycling. there was no one on the trail when we went. and i didn't find it very shady, as another reviewer found.

overall there is nothing not to like. it's just not the most diverse landscape but aside from that, a good, fairly short trail.

I rode this trail on 3/27/19, the day after a thunderstorm. Be that as it may, the trail is not well-maintained. The leaves were piled up almost to the pedals at places, lots of cracks and breaks in the asphalt and there were lots of exposed tree roots that were not marked. The area is quiet, beautiful, the trail does not seem well-used. I only passed 3 people along my ride.

Great trail for hilly terrain and good views.