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We rode the Parklands section of this trail only. It is one of the most amazing trails I have ever ridden. While riding this part of the trail you don't feel like you are near the city. This is not a straight flat rail-trail. This is a purpose built trail that has sections with challenging hills, sharp curves, switchbacks and river bottoms. The scenery is beautiful and varied. There are rest stops and water at frequent intervals. The restrooms were clean and well kept. The trail links a series of parks. There is a little more congestion at the parks but people seemed courteous. The trail surface alternates between cement and asphalt sections. The cement parts are like giant sidewalks and are wide and smooth. The sections that go through hilly areas are mostly asphalt and also smooth and wide with the exception of a couple of small bridges that had large bumps at either end. The majority of road crossings are bridges or tunnels. A handful were on lightly traveled roads with part of those being at 4-way stops. All along the trail are separate hiking trails if you want to get off the bike for awhile. There are also areas to access the river for canoes and kayaks. Both the trail and river have mile markers. There are bike and boat rentals available at one of the parks. We ended up riding this trail end to end for several days straight because we enjoyed it so much. It is definitely a destination trail and worth a couple hours drive. When riding this trail you get the feeling that it is cared for by people who know they have a jewel and want to keep it that way.
A day after riding the Ohio River Valley segment, we rode the Parklands out and back, starting at the north end. What a contrast! The Parklands is all perfect concrete, wide enough in most places to ride 3 abreast. Signage is frequent and at all turns. The trail covers both flat meadows and has some climbs, including a few hairpin turns. We saw a muskrat, juvenile bald eagle, red-tailed hawk and woodcock. Bathrooms and drinking fountains are frequent. So are signs about the area’s history and plant life. The organizations that designed and maintain the Parklands do a great job. We really enjoyed the ride. The Circle K gas station about 4 miles south of the start was the only place we saw by the trail for snacks and beverages.
A friend and I rode the trail west to east and back on a cool, sunny March day. The trail is 100% paved. Newer sections are very smooth and wide enough to ride two abreast. Older sections have occasional abrupt tree root bumps and are narrower. Parts of the trail reminded us of the Pumpkinvine Trail in Indiana, which has frequent 90 degree turns. Other sections of the trail are long straightaways. The latter had no shelter, so you definitely feel the wind. Portions of the trail are rural; others go through parks and by residences. We enjoyed the mix of bird calls, forsythia in bloom and early spring flowers in parks and yards. The east end of the trail is at Millers Mill Road. We rode north 2 blocks and west 1 block to a welcome cup of coffee and scone at Great Harvest Bread Company. An earlier review mentions two places where trail signage is misleading or missing. It was helpful to have downloaded the map.
The parking area was very hard to find! Because there is no sign by hwy. 27 informing you where the parking area for the Rails to Trails Cathy Crockett Memorial Trail or the trailhead is located. If you're looking for it, it's just south of Dixie Bend Rd. on the west side of hwy. 27. After looking at Google maps and finally locating it, it was a enjoyable walk with my mom and her 2 dogs. There was signs designating the trailhead. The first section of the trail was nicely maintained. But after we reached the gravel road there was no signs informing us that the trail is the gravel road until the gravel road makes a left curve, then the trail leaves the gravel road continues straight ahead. Once the trail leaves the gravel road at this point it hasn't been maintained much if any at all. We had to maneuver around briars and step over logs that was across the trail. We walked the trail until we reached the concrete abutment of the old tressel that used to span across Minton Hollow in Sloans Valley. This trail definitely needs some maintenance and signs placed to better inform people about the trail and ect.
I rode the trail 12/06/18 and it’s a great ride even at 40 degree temperatures.
I 'm not really sure that this this should be listed as a trail in its own right. This is really just an extension of the existing Legacy Trail. The signage along the trail actually designates it as the Legacy Trail. However, that should not be taken as a complaint. This portion represents another step toward bringing the Legacy Trail into downtown Lexington. I am hopeful that the other extensions will be coming soon.
While on a road trip we stayed in Paducah and rode this greenway. The first 1 3/4 is gravel and is nice and shady. Then it turns into a beautiful paved section until it ends. The paved section is mostly open so it is pretty hot during the warm months. We hope that more will be added in the future since it is such a good area. Nice one to ride even if you are just traveling through!
We rode 28 miles on the Adkisson Greenbelt on Sat (9/15). We started on the west side at the Joe Ford Nature Center and ended 15 miles to the east at the Millers Mill Rd parking lot. The weather was mostly sunny with a high 91, so it was a pretty hot day. Overall it was an enjoyable ride, but the trail definitely had some minor issues in spots. I’ve laid out the good & the bad below.
The Good: Trail is paved, wide & in very good condition. Several opportunities for public restrooms & to refill water bottles. Lots of lakes & ponds on the eastern half. Benches are plentiful. Kentucky’s famous Moonlight BBQ restaurant is just a block off the trail (expect a wait). Trail passes by a few parks and hiking trails. Several trail heads offer multiple parking opportunities. Rental bikes available on the trail. Not a lot of bike traffic on the trail.
The Not So Good: There are a few major road crossings. You ride parallel to a few major roads in spots, so lots of traffic noise. Some very exposed areas and no shade in some spots. Most importantly, there is signage, but it is small and missing in some critical spots, making the trail hard to follow. Specifically, when traveling west to east, after crossing the light at Parrish Ave, turn right on the side walk then left at Old National Bank (there is not a sign there). Also, when crossing Carter Avenue, you will see a sign for the bike lane straight ahead on Tamarack Rd. Do not follow it! After you cross at the light, immediately turn right onto the sidewalk on Carter Rd and follow it down a few blocks until the trail makes a left turn.
Know Before You Go: I recommend riding east to west. The signage is better in that direction and easier to follow. There is a large pipe across the trail on the south end of Fishers park. You will need to lift your bike over the pipe.
Rating: This is definitely not a destination trail, more of a trail you’d stop to ride en route to somewhere else or if you are local. Due to signage issues, road crossings & noise, and not a lot to see on the trail, I’d give this trail a 6/10.
Rode this trail today. We had planned to ride end to end but without signs we only got 10 miles in and had to turn around. Until we got home and really looked at a map online we had no clue of the turn we missed. Trying again next week! Awesome surface, mostly flat, plenty of benches and rest stops with water fountains if needed. Wish we lived closer than an hour away. I would ride there daily.
We split the Parklands of Floyds Fork trail section of the Loop into two days; arriving late Saturday we rode north from Pope Lick Park to Miles Garden, approx. 13 miles O&B. We unloaded at the park; a very safe & secure area with lots of cyclist. The north section of the trail starts out switching back uphill then meandering through a flat section to another uphill switchback section at the trailhead. We stayed the evening at an idyllically turreted B&B just east of the park and enjoyed a great meal at an upscale mussel & burger restaurant in Jeffersontown.
On Sunday, we rode south to Broad Run Park, approx. 28 miles O&B. This south section of the trail starts out relatively flat but does gradually leads to more challenging grades (incredibly fun downhills). Make sure you stop at the overlook to view where you rode, the B-F Silo. Post ride lunch was at a great mac & pizza joint in downtown Jeffersontown.
This is a beautiful, well maintained, multiple use (kayaking next) trail through park lands, creek sides and hilly woods. All of Louisville should be proud of this privately supported park and thanks for sharing with our family!
Rode from Turkey Run trailhead all the way north to Beckley Creek Park. Agree completely with previous review by davemarshall. It's just beautiful and on a hot day the numerous shelters and water fountains are very welcome.
To me, the only negative is that the trail is almost entirely concrete slabs, which means cracks between every slab. Every third or fourth one is wider than the others and so I really felt them as I rode over thousands of them. Many of those cracks have the remains of what looked to be a rubber-like padding, but they have deteriorated to the point of ineffectiveness now. Now, this may not even bother you and I did get used to it to some degree. And the faster you go, the less you'll feel them. But for me, it was the only drawback. Even if you think it might bother you somewhat, it shouldn't stop you from riding this beautiful, unique trail.
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