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Print Friendly MapThe Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail, a rails-with-trail project, is envisioned to run 19 miles alongside refurbished railroad tracks from Cookeville to Monterey, Tennessee.
Currently, a 4.23-mile segment runs between Cookeville and Algood, TN. It connects the downtown Cookeville area with Tennessee Tech University, residential areas, and ball fields in Algood. This trail segment is paved and the asphalt portion is 9ft wide.
In Cookeville, the southwest section of the trail utilizes concrete sidewalks before leaving roads behind at East 10th Street as it becomes a paved asphalt path. Continuing to parallel an active rail line, the trail curves northeast and is partially shaded by trees. Heading towards Algood, the trail returns to a slightly busier environment until it comes to its northeast end at Walter L. Bilbrey Memorial Park/Algood Community Center.
The Cookeville Depot Museum (116 W. Broad St) has restrooms, drinking fountains, benches, trash receptacles, and public parking. Cinderella Park (700 Cinderella Ln, Cookeville) has restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, public parking, and a playground. Walter L. Bilbrey Memorial Park/Algood Community Center (125 4th Ave, Algood) has restrooms, drinking fountains, trash receptacles, public parking, a playground, and a bike repair station.
Unconnected to the 4.23-mile segment, a 1.1-mile section is open in Monterey. This section of the trail runs between Oak Street and Crossville Street. For brief stretch north from Crossville Street, the trail surface resembles a wooden boardwalk as it crosses over Stamps Hollow Creek. The rest of the route is paved asphalt. Along the way, it passes the Monterey Depot Museum (101 E. Depot Ave), where there is a replica depot, a visitors center, and parking. The trail also passes by Monterey Parks & Rec, where there is a playground, several sports fields and courts, an outdoor pool, and parking. Across the street is Whitaker Park, which has a larger playground, picnic tables, benches, and plenty of shade. Although short, this section of the trail provides a safe and efficient connection between local businesses, parks and recreational spaces, the library, the post office, and the local middle school.
The remainder of the trail is expected to be built in phases toward the east and expansion is also anticipated toward the west to Baxter, Tennessee.
The corridor that the trail follows originally belonged to the Nashville and Knoxville Railroad, founded in 1884, which later became Tennessee Central Railroad. The trains primarily carried coal, as well as other natural resources and manufactured goods. It had a long run, lasting until 1968 before finally going out of business. But the tracks did not stay dormant permanently.
Nearly 20 years later, a few trains a week began to roll down the corridor once again under a new banner, the Nashville and Eastern Railroad, which now serves a large sand mining operation and other industries between Nashville and Monterey. A few times a year, vintage 1950s-era trains also whisk tourists from Nashville to Cookeville and other communities along the way to enjoy farmers markets, antique shops, handmade crafts, friendly restaurants, and all the warmth and charm of small Southern towns. The themed rides, organized by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, include fall foliage sightseeing, journeys with Santa, and Thomas the Train trips.
As a nod to its railroad history, the rail-trail will be bookended with two historical depots and, midway, the city of Algood hopes to add a third once its section of trail is complete. As the trail is built toward Baxter, Tennessee, there will be yet a 4th train depot facility for trail users to enjoy. On the trail’s southwest end, the Cookeville Depot, built in 1909, is a beautiful red brick building with an unusual and elegant pagoda-style roof. It serves as a museum and is also an anchor in Cookeville’s reenergized downtown, surrounded by boutique shops and an eclectic mix of restaurants. The depot in Monterey, on the east end of the trail, is a replica thoughtfully recreated from an original diagram of the 1903 building.
Parking and trail access is available at the Cookeville Depot Museum (116 W. Broad St), at Cinderella Park (700 Cinderella Ln, Cookeville) and at Walter L. Bilbrey Memorial Park/Algood Community Center (125 4th Ave, Algood).
Too much city and behind industrial plants
Starts down town travels 3+ miles mostly next to active track. Ok ride not too hard to follow. Will be nice when lengthened. Good parking lots at both ends. Trail has great potential
this trail starts downtown on a series of sidewalks...some OK & others ??? & also crosses numerous streets in busy traffic areas. Not an easy relaxing initial ride. Not sure how it is called a Rail-to-Trail since it needs a lot of work to qualify for 4-5 stars. Will not be back, too many great trails elsewhere.
The rail trail is in bad need of repair. the section that starts just behind the Monterey police department to Crossville Street. The wooden rail in different sections is falling apart, the fencing in the rail frame itself has either been pullled out or fell out in at least 4 sections of the rail. In dire need of weeding in 2 sections of the walk. Wm H Risk 202 D South Elm street Monterey Tn
I attempted to describe our experience in this trail review; however, limited space prevented this. Poor markings, trail quality, tree roots attempting to break through the riding surface and a number of challenging intersections make this the worst trail we’ve ever ridden. (We’ve ridden in GA, FL, AR, AL, MS, NC, and SC). This trail is not for serious riders. I don’t have an axe to grind. Finally, if you like paved rail trails and greenways, skip this one!!!!
We started in Algood and rode to the depot and back. Made a quick bathroom stop at Cinderella Park on the way back. My odometer measured the distance as 9.22 miles round trip. So nice to finally have a bike trail in this area.
Cookeville is a great town with lots of good scenery....but this trail shows little of it. Once you cross Washington and head east, everything is industrial.
Took my 9 yr old riding last weekend. Parked at the Depot in Cookeville. The TN Central passenger excursion train was there....amazing to see it running with people going to Nasville. Rode all the way to Algood end. Flat, well marked, wide, 4mi ride out. Came back and ate ice cream at Ice Cream City downtown. Perfection! Bravo Cookeville. Cant wait until the Monterey and Baxter extwnsions open up.
Nine miles of easy riding! For folks coming from Fairfield Glade this is very welcome. There are three access points with parking and restrooms: the depot end, the Algood Community center at the other end and Cinderella park about halfway on the trail. The scenery is not the best. That and the need more signage is why I rated it only four stars. The depot end is worth extra time for a stop for history and food. Overall, I like it and will do it again with friends. Congrats to Cookville.
This review pertains to the 4.5 mile Cookeville to Algood section of the trail.
My wife and I have biked this trail several times since before it even opened, and I love that we now have this local option - and in many ways, this is really a pretty good trail. But, there are real usability issues with it - thus only 3 stars.
First the good...
Quite gentle grades make this trail accessible to riders of all levels.
The newly paved surfaces and upgraded wide sidewalks are a joy to ride on.
Access is great - ample, safe parking at the depot, cinderella park, and Algood community center plus several minor access points mean that many area residents can get on the trail with little or no driving or parking issues.
REAL bathrooms and water are available at the Depot and at Cinderella park. Some great trails are somewhat lacking in this department - Shelby park greenway in Nashville for example.
The Cookeville end of the trail passes through some of the more interesting parts of town and is my favorite section.
Cinderella Park is just about halfway between the two ends of the trail - so parking there gives you the option of doing one half at a time - a good option if you are not in great shape, or if the temps are not ideal.
The Cinderalla park trail head is a good place for a group picnic - with a nice basketball court, playground, grills, and a covered picnic shelter - to start or end a ride.
However - the not so good...
First and foremost the street crossing at North Washington is not at all kid-friendly. Not very adult-friendly either. If there is a lot of traffic it can be pretty intimidating for many riders. Something else really needs to be worked out.
There are several other street crossings - most of which - other than Fisk rd - are very low traffic side streets and really not a problem. But again kids need to be well supervised. None of the other crossings are nearly as troubling as N. Washington.
I really enjoy this trail and its convenient location - but the truth is, that much of the scenery isn't very scenic. The old downtown district with the depot, historical buildings, and farmer's market and the cruise along the edge of the TTU campus is very nice, but other parts of the trail are pretty much the back end of steel commercial buildings. It's not a great negative, not trashy or unsafe - just not attractive scenery.
Three out of five stars sounds worse than I want it to - I really like this trail being very close to my home. But if you have ever ridden on the Chattanooga river park trail or the Nashville Shelby park trail, or the Virginia Creeper trail you will understand why this isn't really a 4-5 star experience. Maybe someday it will be. Fingers crossed.
The ribbon cutting on October 18, 2016 officially opened our attractive Rail Trail! Come enjoy it if you haven't yet! When I rode it recently after a rainstorm, I saw a turtle crossing the trail near Algood in the late afternoon. Maybe we need a turtle crossing sign! I also saw a hawk fly overhead into the woods on the north side of the trail east of Fisk Rd. Pretty wildflowers and juniper bushes make it scenic. Come bike or walk! You'll have fun!
Thank you Rail Trail Authority for 11 years of cooperation and persistence! Thank you Cookeville, Algood, TDOT, Bill Drunsic of the railroad right of way, the state of Tennessee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Michael Detwiler -- Rep. Diane Black's district manager, and donors for your support! We appreciate your efforts to help our communities keep active and get in shape year round! Happy trails to you!
Warmly, Diane Glasgow
The Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail had its grand opening this past weekend (Sept 15th) and I had the pleasure of a round trip bike ride from Algood to downtown Cookeville and back. What a wonderful resource to have available in our community! Several individuals and families were enjoying leisurely walks and I passed a few other cyclists during my trip. The route is a smooth ride on the paved Rails-with-Trails route with a few sharp turns and occasional street and/or rail crossing. It is a very safe trail with all intersections clearly marked for both trail user and drivers. Elevation changes are gradual making this trail accessible for all ages and abilities. Future projects could consider garbage cans and bike racks. Also, be on the lookout for some fabulous art installations along the trail from Cookeville's own Brad Sells and ART (Art Round Tennessee)!
I plan to use this trail for my daily bike commute from home to work. I encourage everyone to experience this lovely addition to middle Tennessee.
As a full-time bike user who travels between Algood and Cookeville frequently (often more than once per day), I am excited about this path! I have tried to stay off of it until its official opening to the public, but I have heard from so many local walkers and runners that have been on it. This is a single-lane, paved path that follows a LIVE--but infrequently used--railroad track. It is very smooth and easy, but does not offer a tremendous amount of shade.
This morning I used the section between Algood Park and Washington. There is some standing water and one section (about 50 feet) that needs to be paved. That section is easily bi-passed on a quiet parallel road. Two notes of caution: (1) the posts to mark road crossings are not in place yet (as of Aug 16) and (2) there are some sharp turns to cross the tracks so check your speed if you are on a bike. There aren't very many pretty views or photo spots along the trail yet, but give them time to open before judging the landscaping. The path does cross roads more frequently than I am used to from other Greenways (Nashville, Murfreesboro, etc). That is good for commuters like me to jump into traffic, but less good for family use. The path connects to a little playground (I don't know the name) with restroom access.
This path will change my life. My hope is that it will be well used by everyone in the community. This morning I saw 6 bicyclists (one with a trailer carrying two kiddos), 2 walkers, and 1 runner using the trail. I also saw two small crews working today (on fencing and landscaping) and thanked them for their efforts.
May I make a few suggestions? (1) bike racks at each entrance/park (2) a fenced dog park (3) a memorial or sponsored bench every 1/2 mile and (4) animal-proof garbage cans at entrance points (so the city can remove garbage easily).
I beat the train today, but heard warning whistles during my errands. I will report back when the trail is complete and I have used it while a train passed.
I'm sure all the cars on 10th Street are glad to have me off the road! THANK YOU COOKEVILLE, ALGOOD, AND TN!!! Well done!
This is August of 2016, and my name is Gabby Lewis.
We are a group of Christian ladies and friends, and we are THRILLED at the possibilities this trail has offered us for our daily walks!
We have rode on our bikes, and just feel so BLESSED to have this wonderful trail in Cookeville!
Looking forward to it! My great-grandfather worked for the TCRY for 55 years. It would be a privileged to bike this trail! What is the status of this project?
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