Nine miles of this loop route are on the Natchez Trace Parkway from milepost 428 (intersection with TN Hwy 46/Pinewood Road) to milepost 437.5 (intersection with TN Hwy 96) while the "off Parkway" section of the loop takes you thru the historic village of Leiper's Fork and along two lane, country roads north of Leiper's Fork.
Bicyclists (there are a few steep climbs - see elevation maps below), drivers and motorcyclists will enjoy the 23-mile-long route that takes you past the famous Double Arch Bridge, along several, lightly traveled country roads and thru the heart of the historic village of Leiper's Fork where you can enjoy a meal at one of three restaurants and do some casual shopping at the antique shops and art galleries that line the street.
Photo Galleries | Cyclists | Food, Water, Restrooms | Lodging | Ride with GPS Routes
Photo Gallery of the "off Parkway" section of the loop.
Click any photo to view larger photos.
TN Hwy 96's Bike Lane - exit to the Natchez Trace Parkway
Exit TN Hwy 46 onto the Parkway (puts you on the Parkway at milepost 428)
Southall Road
Old Hillsboro Road North towards Leiper's Fork Historic Village
Waddell Hollow Road
Looking north on Waddell Hollow Road
Leiper's Fork Market at intersection of TN 46/Old Hillsboro Road
Fox & Locke Restaurant and Music Venue
Leiper's Fork shops
Turn right onto TN Hwy 46 towards Leiper's Fork
Exit the Parkway onto TN Hwy 96 East
McMillan Road - looking north
Stacked Stone Wall on Southall Road
Leiper's Fork shops
Intersection of TN Hwy 46 and Old Hillsboro Road intersection
Leiper's Fork Distillery on Southall Road
Old Hillsboro Road
Boyd's Mill historic marker
Waddell Hollow Road (looking south) at intersection with Stillhouse Hollow Road
Old barn on Boxley Valley Road
Photo Gallery of the "on Parkway" section of the loop.
Click any photo to view larger photos.
Milepost 433 looking north
Parkway / Hwy 96 ramp intersection at milepost 437.5
S-Curve at milepost 430.5
Milepost 432 looking north
Double Arch Bridge - view from Hwy 96 access/exit ramp
Butterfly Garden at Timberland Park
Curvy, Treetop Bridge at milepost 436 - looking north in the spring
View of parking area at milepost 435.6 - good place to park while biking loop
Exit to Leiper's Fork
Curvy, Treetop Bridge at milepost 436 - looking south in the fall
Parking options are plentiful on the parkway. On the parkway, there is a parking area at milepost 435.6. Please don't park at the Birdsong Hollow parking area on the north side of the Double Arch Bridge as this parking area is not very large and is a very popular stop - we recommend that everyone take the time to drive or ride across the bridge and view the bridge from the observation area at Birdsong Hollow. You could also park at the Garrison Creek stop (see below) or at the Timberland Park site (milepost 437.2).
There are two restaurants (Fox & Locke and Country Boy) in Leiper's Fork (go north on Old Hillsboro Pike about 150 yards from where Old Hwy 96 intersects with Old Hillsboro Pike) and there is a market (Leiper's Fork Market) that has beverages, snacks, pizza and sandwiches on the south side of Leiper's Fork on your way to/from the Natchez Trace.
There is one comfort station on the 9 mile-long Natchez Trace section of the loop at the Timberland Park site at milepost 437.2 (Timberland Park closes at 6pm April thru October and at 4pm the remainder of the year). Cyclists could also park at the Garrison Creek comfort station/picnic area on the Trace about 1.4 miles south of the loop and simply add a few miles to the trip).
Timber Ridge Cabin - directly on the route - near Hwy 96 and the Parkway
Hummingbird Haven B&B - in Fernvale west of the loop
Lyric at Leiper's Fork - is near Old Hwy 96 north of Leiper's Fork
Jackson's Sweet Tea Cottage - south of Leiper's Fork
Clockwise Route:
Counter Clockwise Route: