The Old Natchez Trace dates back to the early 1700s when sections were Indian footpaths and animal trails. In the late 1700s through the early 1820s traders from the Middle Tennessee and Kentucky areas ("Kaintuck Boatmen") floated their goods down the Cumberland, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Natchez and then walked or rode horses up the Trace to return home.
Each year hundreds of people bike the entire 444 miles or a section of the Natchez Trace Parkway. One of the most common questions asked in the planning process is which direction should we bike: North to South or South to North.
There are several factors to consider:
- Prevailing Wind - generally the wind flows west to east. The Trace actually goes southwest to northeast so biking South to North will put the wind at your back more often than in your face.
- Uphill or Downhill - the northern half of the Trace is hillier and has a higher elevation. Elevation at the northern terminus is 710 feet and the elevation at the southern terminus is 160 feet. So, there is approximately 550 feet more descent than ascent going North to South - an average of only 15 inches a mile! The more important question is: if you are biking the entire Trace, do you want to bike the hilliest section at the beginning or end of the trip.
source: www.natcheztracetravel.com
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