Take in the Beauty of Mississippi from Two Wheels

From rails-to-trails paths to national scenic routes and beachside pathways, visitors can experience the beauty of Mississippi from two wheels. Get off the grid and re-connect with nature by exploring these Top 4 trails that riders of all levels and ages will enjoy.

Tanglefoot Trail | 44 miles
Start your cycling adventure on the 44-mile Tanglefoot Trail(link is external) in New Albany(link is external), located in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area(link is external). The trail follows a converted railroad bed through hardwood forests, kudzu, creek bottoms and farms into the heart of rural Mississippi. Although sections were part of ancient Chickasaw trails, the railway was cleared for the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad nearly 150 years ago. Make a pit stop at the Algoma Country Store in Pontotoc for a classic Southern treat like chicken on a stick, then continue to Houston, home to the state’s first Carnegie library, which dates to 1909.

The Natchez Trace | 62 miles
Pick up the pace in Ridgeland(link is external) for a trip around Barnett Reservoir that follows the Natchez Trace Parkway(link is external), a national scenic trail built on an ancient path that stretches from Natchez to Nashville. Cruise along the northern banks and watch the sunlight play on the waters of the Pearl River, then cross over on Highway 43 and make your way back through a shady, wooded expanse. Indulge in the metro area culinary scene to re-fuel.

Your next leg of the Natchez Trace starts at Rocky Springs, approximately 50 miles south of the Jackson metro area. Follow the Trace to Port Gibson and make your way through the winding, kudzu-covered loess hills to Windsor Ruins(link is external), the remains of the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion ever built in Mississippi. The structure burned in 1890, leaving only the 23 Corinthian columns that visitors see today.

Vicksburg National Military Park | 30 miles
After overnighting in Vicksburg along the Mississippi River, take up the steep grades found in Vicksburg National Military Park(link is external), where one of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War raged in 1863. Ride along hillsides where infantrymen camped and fought, and explore the place Abraham Lincoln deemed “the key” to keeping the Union intact. Continue your exploration of history by venturing into Vicksburg’s(link is external) scenic downtown along the Mississippi River, where restaurants, a brewery and boutique shopping await.

Mississippi Coastal Heritage Trail | 101 miles
As unhurried as life may seem on your journey through the Magnolia State, the Mississippi Gulf Coast(link is external) eases back just a little more. Let gentle Gulf breezes push you along the Mississippi Coastal Heritage Trail,(link is external) a 101-mile path of shared and dedicated biking pathways between Bay St. Louis and Pascagoula.

With casual-dining restaurants and diversions all along the beachfront and in the quaint seaside towns, picking your start and end points may be the most challenging parts of your trip. You can’t go wrong with the Bay St. Louis to Long Beach section, which carries you along the Gulf of Mexico toward your final destination, the historic Biloxi Lighthouse. Cool down post-ride with a visit to the white sand beaches or try your luck at one of the many gaming resorts.

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