A historic travel corridor the Natchez Trace was carved by Native Americans and honed by American explorers. The Trace spans 444 miles and runs through three states starting from the south in the city of Natchez, Mississippi, heading briefly through Alabama, and ending in Nashville, Tennessee. Much of the old trace is preserved for hiking and can be accessed off of the Natchez Trace National Parkway, a scenic drive and designated bicycle route. Over 100 miles of the trace are within the state of Tennessee, about an hour outside of Music City there magnificent waterfalls and the grave site of a national hero.
+Jackson Falls, Milepost 404.7
A short paved trail just over half a mile long descends into the woods towards the sound of rushing water.
A walk off the pavement brings you closer to the falls.
You can climb up for a different view, but be careful as the path can be slippery.
Hike back up and continue in the opposite direction to get a view of Duck River.
The parking lot has restroom facilities and picnic tables.
+Fall Hollow, Milepost 391.9
A short and rugged path takes hikers past cascades that spill this way and that.
Some of the beautiful falls tempt you to veer off path to get a closer look.
Each spill is enchanting and has a personality all of its own.
At the bottom of the trail is the last of the waterfalls and biggest of them all, complete with a pool at its base.
If you are nimble, it is possible to hop on the rocks and head behind the falls.
+Meriwether Lewis Site, Milepost 385.9
Courageous captain of the army, private secretary to President Jefferson, senior commander of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which helped forge a path to the Pacific Ocean, and governor of the Louisiana Territory – Meriwether Lewis had quite the storied life which ended on the Natchez Trace.
Hike along the path that he walked on his last days.
Find the cabin where he spent his final night.
Pay respect to his grave.
Lewis was just 35 when he passed away in 1809, but in his short life made a name for himself that Americans everywhere learn about till this day.
Good to know:
+Many people like to start or end their trip with a meal the Loveless Café offering southern comfort food, right where the road begins.
Sure thing. It would be great to find out about the other things in the trail.
I was surprised to come across it too, would love to visit more sites in the other states the trace runs through. Interesting to learn about destinations through history and vice versa.
That looks like a great place to visit. I didn’t know that there was a trail that connected MS to TN. I’ve heard about Natchez when I found out about The Devil’s Punchbowl (even if it involves an extremely dark part of American history). That Natchez trail looks nice though.