Land Between the Lakes has miles of old logging roads and scenic back-roads perfect for mountain biking and cycling. Two significant mountain bike trails are perfect for varied skill levels and several paved roads weave throughout LBL. Wind across rolling hillsides and alongside meadows into quiet lakefront bays.The Land Between the Lakes offers some excellent and seemingly undiscovered opportunities for mountain biking. Pick up a trail map at any Welcome Station and hit the road!
The Land Between the Lakes Canal Loop Trail
The Canal Loop Trail is a 14.2 mile trail system that includes four connector trails to offer a variety of bike rides. The trail can be accessed from either the North Welcome Station Trail-head or the Kentucky Lake Drive Trail Access. The system provides options from 1.5 miles to 14.2-miles in distance and is popular because of the less strenuous terrain and scenic lake views. The Canal Loop Trail offers impressive vistas of Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, blissfully winding bikers along the shoreline–particularly the eastern section, near Nickel Branch Boat Launch, which also provides a striking view of Barkley Dam. Access via road #102 or The Trace. Kentucky Lake Drive, which branches west off The Trace near the Canal Loop Trails, carries cyclists atop a ridge overlooking the serene waters below. Old cemeteries dot the landscape along the North/South Trail, invoking reverence for former residents between the rivers.
This LBL trail is rated as easy to moderate with a 120-foot change in elevation.
The Land Between the Lakes North/South Trail
The northern portion of the North/South Trail, a 31-mile section, is open to mountain biking and connects the North Welcome Station with the Golden Pond Visitors Center right in the heart of the Land Between the Lakes. The point-to-point trail traverses ridge tops, bottom lands, and the shores of Kentucky Lake. Visitors can us this trail in conjunction with LBL’s legal roads to make a series of shorter loops. Other opportunities include connecting to the Canal Loop Trail for a really nice 45 mile ride.
This LBL trail is rated as easy to advanced made up of single-track, logging roads, and gravel roads.
