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The best place to park is at the trail's southern end in Greenville. The trail lies parallel to US 62 between Powderly and Greenville. The southern trailhead parking is on US 62 just north of Greenville's town center.
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. This trail, being built on an old railroad bed, is fairly flat, which makes sense considering that trains can only handle a very gradual grade. There are definitely very long, gentle uphills (and obviously downhills in the other direction) that provide a good challenge if you hit them fast enough. The only part I couldn't do was on the very end of the trail (the Central City end). There is a steep hill connecting the trail to the parking area. Thankfully, I parked at the Greenville end, where there is ample parking and a flat transition to the trail.
Handcycle considerations aside, Muhlenberg County has knocked it out of the park with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. As a railfan, I enjoyed seeing the old railroad structures and the P&L caboose that are beside the trail. It has a minimal number of road intersections, with only one of them a high-speed road requiring lots of rider attention. All of them are marked. There are plenty of benches for a rest. The first 1.5 miles or so of the Greenville end are through town. The rest of it is in a very natural setting with ample shade. I liked seeing the huge, old slough; the areas where the railroad had blasted through hills to make the railbed flat; and the numerous little creeks that run beside and under the trail. I live about an hour away, but I'll happily make that drive and hit this trail again.
Trailhead in Greenville is across from Clark Tire Center and has nice picnic table nearby. The trail is in good condition, saw some birding along the way and a nice city park at Powderly. Bathrooms at the HS were closed for the season.
Reminded me of Ohio trails I've ridden. Wish Bowling Green, Ky., had something that long. Only real suggestion is that an emergency call box or two would be nice. Saw five people total on perfect Thursday afternoon ride. You wanna be prepared
Nice ride good even pavement w gradual inclines mostly flat. Saw two wild turkeys or saw one wild turkey twice. Not many people on trail. No soap or tissue at Central City trailhead restroom. A little confused finding trailhead on Greenville side
Nice ride, well kept up trail, but greenville start point is not where trail map shows, it is on the right fork, not greener dr
saw some wild turkeys, beavers, an oriole, and other wildlife. pavement in great shape. nice and wide to accommodate walkers/joggers/cyclists. the maintenance crew was out cutting the grass today too, keeping it well kept up. nice little trail. wish we had more like it around south central KY.
I rode the trail 12/06/18 and it’s a great ride even at 40 degree temperatures.
My wife and I rode the trail up and back from Greenville to Central City on September 9, 2017. Trail head parking in both Greenville and Central City is paved, convenient, and safe. Trail is paved and about 8-10 feet wide. Most of the trail is flat or gradual slopes, except a short steep hill near Central City. Vegetation along the sides of the trail was mowed and well kept. Old bridges near the wetlands do not have guard rails but trail is wide across the bridges. Lots of benches along the way. There are a few road crossings near Greenville but not hazardous. The trail is off the interstate and parkway corridors. It is not long but is a hidden gem.
I'm in the military and have actually taken the Army Physical Fitness Test on this trail. We run 2 miles for record so they have a white posted line past Powderly to start from and will run to where the trail starts in Greenville across from Clarks Appliance Center. Soldiers like to take the running part of the PT Test there because instead of the normal 8 laps in a circle rubbing elbows with 60 other Soldiers it's a 1 way start to end run and halfway, 1 mile mark, you can see the finish line and mentally makes you more confident and run harder and Soldiers really improve their time. Also I have ridden the the trail several times on bicycle along with my children and have never had any trouble. We always ride up and back and stop at the swamp area to go up on the deck and view the wildlife. It is maintained well and has a lot of neat interesting features along the way. It is truly great having this in our local community and we are very fortunate.
A wonderful place to walk with your family.. We walk there almost every night the dogs really enjoy it also...
We took our dogs to walk the trail from southern trailhead in Greenville to just past Powderly, maybe 2 miles. The parking area is right next to US62 just as you come into Greenville from the northeast. When you see the green caboose and covered bridge the parking is the next right. This section is lighted with many benches available to rest. It looked like the trail had recently been widened (previous comment said it was narrow) to about 10 feet and repaved. Very level, easy walking. There are no facilities on the trail, but many fast food places across the highway in this section. It does go through an area of older, run down homes, but it was very open and we felt safe walking there. If you take your dogs on this trail please be sure to have them leashed securely as there is lots of open farmland and a busy highway they could get lost in. Hope to be able to go the whole 6 miles on our bikes sometime and see the rest of the trail!
Made it 7.5 miles on September 27,2013 what a great trail. We'll be back another day to do the full trail. Thanks for the Great day. ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
I really enjoyed the trail, over 6 miles of asphalt trail to ride my bike on. Theres not many places close to home with a trail this long. The trail isn't very wide but everyone that I came in contact with shared the trail, unlike another trail I go to sometimes. I will definitely go here again, Loved it! (Trail does go to very secluded area)
My kids and I have gone on the Central City, Kentucky trail several times. Yesterday, 4/12/09, we went and really enjoyed the wildlife. We saw real life beavers hard at work. It amazing to see the effects they have on the area. The swifts and orioles (I think) were fun to watch also. Its nice to have a smooth, flat, SAFE place to bike. Keep up the good work!
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