Find the top rated bike trails in Cookeville, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail is a super easy, enjoyable walk. Not a lot to see along the way, but plenty of fresh air.
Too much city and behind industrial plants
this trail starts downtown on a series of sidewalks...some OK & others ??? & also crosses numerous streets in busy traffic areas. Not an easy relaxing initial ride. Not sure how it is called a Rail-to-Trail since it needs a lot of work to qualify for 4-5 stars. Will not be back, too many great trails elsewhere.
The rail trail is in bad need of repair. the section that starts just behind the Monterey police department to Crossville Street. The wooden rail in different sections is falling apart, the fencing in the rail frame itself has either been pullled out or fell out in at least 4 sections of the rail. In dire need of weeding in 2 sections of the walk. Wm H Risk 202 D South Elm street Monterey Tn
I attempted to describe our experience in this trail review; however, limited space prevented this. Poor markings, trail quality, tree roots attempting to break through the riding surface and a number of challenging intersections make this the worst trail we’ve ever ridden. (We’ve ridden in GA, FL, AR, AL, MS, NC, and SC). This trail is not for serious riders. I don’t have an axe to grind. Finally, if you like paved rail trails and greenways, skip this one!!!!
We started in Algood and rode to the depot and back. Made a quick bathroom stop at Cinderella Park on the way back. My odometer measured the distance as 9.22 miles round trip. So nice to finally have a bike trail in this area.
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.
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.
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.
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
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