Natchez Trace Biking
Join us for a spin along the South’s most famous stretch of roadway—the Natchez Trace. Originally a trading route for American Indians, the Trace has been employed throughout the centuries for trade and transit and even set the stage for the untimely demise of Meriwether Lewis at Grinder’s Stand. Today this bicycle-friendly protected parkway slices through lush forests and swampland from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. On this four-day biking excursion we explore the Trace’s southern stretch along the Mississippi River, from the Civil War battlefields of Vicksburg to the antebellum estates of Natchez.
Day 1 Vicksburg
Meet in Jackson 
Shuttle to the town of Vicksburg along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River Set out on a warm-up bike ride through the hallowed Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg National Military Park Dive deeper into the history of the grounds on a guided tour with a park historian.
Days 2-4 Natchez
Experience a bit of Southern hospitality on a private tour at a former cotton plantation in the town of Port Gibson Pedal onto the Natchez Trace for a spin south over quiet forest-laden rolling hills to riverside Natchez Put your culinary skills to the test in a cooking class at our elegant plantation resort Enjoy a morning ride along sleepy Southern roads Take time to stroll around Natchez’s beloved downtown, stopping into antique shops and historic homes Set out on one last ride on the Trace toward our final destination of Jackson.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY : Premiere Inns
Cedar Grove Mansion Inn (1 night): This exquisite antebellum manor, sitting on five acres of manicured grounds, offers elegant antique décor reminiscent of Gone with the Wind.
Monmouth Plantation (2 nights): Named a World’s Best by Travel+Leisure, this opulent Small Luxury Hotels of the World member offers a beautifully restored 19th-century plantation house set on 26 acres of peaceful woodland.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1
2 Route Options Available
- 11, 16 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Battlefield Walking Tour
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 30, 50, 68 miles
- 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 39, 52 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 8, 12 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 10/16-19Price: $1898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $680 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/22-25Price: $1798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $680 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/7-10Price: $1898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $680 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.