Tanglefoot Trail

The Tanglefoot Trail: New Albany to Ecru Loop offers a delightful touring cycling journey, covering 24.7 miles (39.7 km) with a minimal 362 feet (110 metres) of elevation gain. This moderate route, typically completed in about 2 hours and 16 minutes, guides you through a charming tapestry of Southern scenery, from dense hardwood forests to expansive cotton and soybean fields. You'll enjoy a smooth ride on its 10-foot-wide asphalt surface, with the section near Ecru particularly noted for its beautiful open fields.

Planning your ride is straightforward, with convenient amenities available along the way. The New Albany trailhead plaza serves as a great starting point, and you'll find parking, restrooms, and water at the various "whistle stops" in towns like Ecru. The trail is well-equipped with self-service bike repair stations, and you can even rent bikes from the local library in New Albany, making it accessible for everyone.

This trail holds significant historical value as Mississippi's longest "Rails to Trails" conversion, following the path of a railroad built in 1871 by Colonel William C. Faulkner, great-grandfather of the Nobel Prize-winning author. It was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2019, preserving ancient paths once used by the Chickasaw Indians. The route connects several small towns, allowing you to experience local charm and access businesses, making it a unique blend of history and nature.