Top Motorcycle Rides in Nashville: Scenic & Historic Routes

Nashville, located in the heart of Tennessee, offers motorcycle enthusiasts an incredible springboard for exploring the state. The city’s surrounding areas boast winding roads, lush landscapes, and rich history, making it an ideal spot for riders seeking adventure. Here are four unforgettable motorcycle rides in Nashville to get your motor running.

Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a must-ride route for motorcycle enthusiasts in Nashville. This 444-mile scenic road stretches from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, following an ancient trail first used by Native Americans.

Riders encounter sweeping curves and gentle hills at the northern terminus near Nashville. The parkway passes through beautiful forests, open meadows, and alongside serene streams. Notable stops include:

• Loveless Cafe: Begin your journey with a hearty Southern breakfast at this iconic restaurant in southwest Nashville.
• Double Arch Bridge: Marvel at this architectural wonder spanning Birdsong Hollow.
• Meriwether Lewis Site: Visit the gravesite of the famous explorer in Hohenwald and learn about his mysterious death.

The Natchez Trace offers a relaxed pace with a 50 mph speed limit, allowing riders to soak in the area’s natural beauty and historical significance.

Historic Franklin and Leiper’s Fork Loop

This ride takes you through picturesque countryside and charming small towns steeped in history. Start in Franklin, a city that was the site of one of the worst defeats the Confederates suffered in the Civil War.

• Ride south on US-31 to visit Carter House and Carnton Plantation, both key sites in the Battle of Franklin.
• Continue to Leiper’s Fork, a quaint village whose Leiper’s Fork Distillery is worth a tour and tasting.
• Enjoy the lush scenery and take the winding backroads through the Natchez Trace Parkway.
• Return to Franklin via Old Hillsboro Road, a twisty route that passes through beautiful horse farms.

This 60-mile loop combines history, culture, and stunning landscapes, making it a perfect day ride from Nashville.

Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail

The Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail offers an intriguing ride for those seeking a mix of natural beauty and industrial history. This route follows the path of the old Tennessee Central Railway.

• Start in Ashland City, riding along the Cumberland River.
• Pass through the charming town of Pleasant View.
• End at Cheatham Dam, an impressive hydroelectric facility.

The trail features several restored railroad bridges and tunnels that offer unique photo opportunities. While parts of the trail are unpaved, most sections accommodate street motorcycles comfortably.

Stones River National Battlefield Loop

History buffs will appreciate this ride, which centers around the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, site of a crucial strategic victory by the Union during the Civil War.

• Ride southeast from Nashville on US-41/70S to Murfreesboro.
• Explore the battlefield, including the Stones River National Cemetery and the Hazen Brigade Monument.
• Continue east on TN-96 to Short Mountain Distillery, nestled in the hills of Cannon County.
• Return via the scenic TN-145 and US-70S, passing through the historic town of Milton.

This 120-mile round trip combines Civil War history, beautiful countryside views, and a taste of Tennessee’s distilling heritage.

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