This 4-day, Out and Back Natchez Trace Parkway bicycle itinerary starts and finishes at Ridgeland, MS (milepost 100) with a turn-around at French Camp, MS (milepost 181).

  • Bike Out - north on the Parkway for 2 days to French Camp, MS.
  • Bike Back - south on the Parkway for 2 days to Ridgeland, MS.
  • In between, there is an overnight stop in the Carthage, MS area (milepost 136.4).

Ride Stats for entire 4-day itinerary:

  • Does not include miles to/from Parkway for lodging.
  • Total Miles on Parkway (including 11 miles on Multi-Use Path): 162
    Average miles per day: 40.5
  • Total Elevation Gain:
    3,283 feet (avg. 20.3 feet/mile)
  • Total Elevation Loss:
    3,283 feet (avg. 20.3 feet/mile)
Cyclists biking north

Biking Out - South to North:

Cyclists biking south

Biking Back - North to South:

Want to add a 5th Day to this itinerary? Scroll down the page to here.

Cyclists biking north

Biking Out - South to North

Day 1 - Ridgeland, MS (milepost 100-101) to the Carthage, MS area (milepost 136.4)

Ride Stats for Day 1

  • Miles on Parkway (including 5.5 miles on Multi-Use Path): 36.5
  • Elevation Gain:
    843 feet (avg. 23.1 feet/mile)
    Maximum Grade: 2.5%
  • Elevation Loss:
    806 feet (avg. 22.1 feet/mile)
    Minimum Grade: -2.8%

Click Here to View Day 1:

  • Route Overview Map for Day 1 (Route along the Parkway and Routes to/from Lodging at start and end of the Day)
  • Restrooms, Top 30 Favorite Sites, and Exits with Services Nearby Along the Way from Milepost 100 to Milepost 136.4
  • Lodging, Featured Points of Interest and Food at the end of the Day near the Parkway at Milepost 136.4
Day 2 - Carthage, MS area (milepost 136.4) to French Camp, MS (milepost 180.8)

Ride Stats for Day 2

  • Miles on Parkway: 44.5
  • Elevation Gain:
    850 feet (avg. 19.1 feet/mile)
    Maximum Grade: 1.8%
  • Elevation Loss:
    826 feet (avg. 18.6 feet/mile)
    Minimum Grade: -3.1%

Click Here to View Day 2:

  • Route Overview Map for Day 2 (Route along the Parkway and Routes to/from Lodging at start and end of the Day)
  • Restrooms, Top 30 Favorite Sites, and Exits with Services Nearby Along the Way from Milepost 136.4 to Milepost 180.8
  • Lodging, Featured Points of Interest and Food at the end of the Day near the Parkway at Milepost 180.8
Cyclists biking south

Biking Back - North to South

Day 3 - French Camp, MS (milepost 181) to the Carthage, MS area (milepost 136.4)

Ride Stats for Day 3

  • Miles on Parkway: 44.5
  • Elevation Gain:
    827 feet (avg. 18.6 feet/mile)
    Maximum Grade: 3.1%
  • Elevation Loss:
    851 feet (avg. 19.1 feet/mile)
    Minimum Grade: -2.2%

Click Here to View Day 3:

  • Route Overview Map for Day 3 (Route along the Parkway and Routes to/from Lodging at start and end of the Day)
  • Restrooms, Top 30 Favorite Sites, and Exits with Services Nearby Along the Way from Milepost 181 to Milepost 136.4
  • Lodging, Featured Points of Interest and Food at the end of the Day near the Parkway at Milepost 160 and Milepost 136.4
Day 4 - Carthage, MS area (milepost 136.4) to Ridgeland (milepost 100)

Ride Stats for Day 4

  • Miles on Parkway: 36.5
  • Elevation Gain:
    806 feet (avg. 22.1 feet/mile)
    Maximum Grade: 2.6%
  • Elevation Loss:
    843 feet (avg. 23.1 feet/mile)
    Minimum Grade: -2.3%

Click Here to View Day 4:

  • Route Overview Map for Day 4 (Route along the Parkway and Routes to/from Lodging at start and end of the Day)
  • Restrooms, Top 30 Favorite Sites, and Exits with Services Nearby Along the Way from Milepost 136.4 to Milepost 100
  • Lodging, Featured Points of Interest and Food at the end of the Day near the Parkway at Milepost 100

Optional 5th Day

First, bike "out" the first two days described above from Ridgeland, MS to French Camp, MS.

On the 3rd Day:

  • From French Camp, bike north 15 miles or so.
    Follow the first half of this day route.
  • Turn around and bike south back to French Camp.
    Follow the last half of this day route.
  • Stay a 2nd night in French Camp.

Then, bike the last two days described above from French Camp "back" to Ridgeland.

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