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Fall often means a shift in gears. Temperatures ease and our schedules settle into a steady routine. For cyclists who visit The Parklands, the beauty of fall is that you can move at your own pace against the backdrop of beautiful scenery.

Whether you prefer a paved road or dirt trail, or you like to bike one mile or a few miles, The Parklands has you covered.

With autumnal serenity in mind, we’ve focused on five popular trails that offer a relatively leisurely ride and breathtaking views of meadows and foliage. If you’re into mountain biking and are looking to put your skills to the test, find information at the end of this article on our Silo Center Bike Park (open seasonally).

Across the full expanse of our grounds, The Parklands offers cyclists 60 miles of bike-friendly trails to explore. Maps with trail information can be found at park trailheads and kiosks or online before your visit: theparklands.org/find-an-activity/biking.

The Louisville Loop

The Louisville Loop is a Metro Louisville initiative that has been blueprinted to circle the city with over 100 miles of multi-recreational paths linking neighborhoods to parks and civic attractions. Nineteen miles of the Loop cross through The Parklands from north to south. With its wide design, the Loop provides plenty of space for you to peddle through our parks on a trail that unfurls through a variety of landscapes.

Highlights:

• Graded for ADA accessibility
• Paved and nonmotorized for bikers, runners, and walkers
• Connects all four of our parks: Beckley Creek, Broad Run, Pope Lick, and Turkey Run
  – The Loop also runs through The Strand, the central puzzle piece of The Parklands connecting its northern and southern parks
• Mile markers along the route

For more information, click here.

Sycamore Trail at Beckley Creek Park

Stemming off the Louisville Loop near the Egg Lawn (no bikes allowed), the Sycamore Trail runs past sycamores rising above the gravel bars of Floyds Fork, where ducks, peeled bark and fall leaves drift in the current. This short trail is a great for families.

Highlights:

• Natural hike/bike trail
• 0.4 mile

For more information, click here.

Coppiced Woods Trail at Beckley Creek Park

Experience the splendor of trees and get a retrospective view of history when you navigate this natural trail.

The Coppiced Woods Trail rambles just below William F. Miles Lakes and links up to the Louisville Loop. The surrounding area of dense oak-hickory forest gets its name from the sheer abundance of coppiced trees. “Coppicing” occurs when fires, storms, logging, flooding, or even trampling by deer split the wood. Evidence of coppicing indicates that these woods were likely logged around 1915.

Highlights:

• Natural hike/bike trail
• 1.87 miles

For more information, click here.

Lowland Plain Trail at Broad Run Park

While The Parklands has plenty of woods and forests, its colorful meadows and plains are some of the most iconic landscapes. The Lowland Plain is a notable example, with its large meadow and various wildflowers in bloom until the first frost. Nearly one mile in length, The Lowland Plain Trail runs from the Greensward down to the Cliffside Paddling Access, where it connects to the Louisville Loop. Double back on the Lowland Plain or use the Louisville Loop to circle back to your starting point.

Highlights:

• Paved hike/bike trail
• 0.81 mile

For more information, click here.

Seaton Valley Trail at Turkey Run Park

The heart of Turkey Run is found in its trail system. Progressive by design, Turkey Run offers more than seven miles of trails ranging from fully accessible paved surfaces perfect for young or casual bike riders all the way up to intermediate hike/bike trails that provide an invigorating workout.

The Seaton Valley Trail proceeds through the bottomlands along Floyds Fork, skirting the creek until it connects with the Louisville Loop.

Highlights:

• Natural hike/bike trail
• 1.0 mile
• Bike repair station at Seaton Valley Trailhead

For more information, click here.

A Skill-Building Adventure: Silo Center Bike Park

Lying southeast of the Brown-Forman Silo Center, the Silo Center Bike Park offers a skills loop, pump tracks, and flow trails. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) built this park so that the amenities are suited to every level of rider. The Bike Park is closed during the colder months to prevent damage due to the freeze-thaw cycle and may close temporarily during the season due to wet/muddy conditions. Keep an eye on our website for announcements on precise dates for closing in the fall.

Highlights:

• Natural, bike-only; multiple trails up to .7 miles in length
• Bike repair station

For more information and bike park rules, click here.

Share the Trails 

Outside of the bike park, hikers and walkers share all our bike-accessible trails, so please be courteous of pedestrians when riding your bike in The Parklands. Here are some basic recommendations to keep in mind to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone:

• Pass on the left and let other trail users know you are approaching with verbal cues. Give an audible warning with a bell or call out, “Passing on your left!”
• Watch your speed and stay in control of your bike.
• Remain aware of other riders, pedestrians, and your surroundings.
• Pay attention to permitted trail use and posted park signs. Bicycles should use only designated biking trails.

For a blog article on bike safety, click here.

e-Bike Policy. The Parklands authorizes persons over the age of 16 to use “Class I” electric-assist bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes, on roadways and designated bike trails. For information on The Parklands e-bike policy, click here.

Be Park Smart 

Find guidance on bike and park safety at theparklands.org/park-safety. Since nature can be unpredictable in the fall, and in any season, check our site for alerts and be on the lookout for potential risks like slick grounds with wet leaves.