The Canal Loop is the signature mountain bike trail at Land Between the Lakes. It rolls for just over 10 miles along great singletrack, touching the shores of both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. The published distance is 14.2 miles, but this must include all the connector trails, as I've never measured it that far and the official LBL map shows 10.1 miles for the loop.

If anyone has a GPS track of this, please send it to me, I'll incorporate into this page.

Trail Description

From the North Welcome Station:

Cross The Trace and pick up the trail opposite the welcome station. Follow this singletrack for 2.1 miles. Here you'll cross the Nickell Branch road. Continue on the Canal Loop another 3.2 miles (mile 5.3), winding along Lake Barkley, until you reach a junction with a trail on the left. This takes you back to the Trace and allows you to shorten the ride. Continue straight to mile 5.8 and pass another connector trail on the left. At mile 6.2 you'll cross under the Trace, along the canal that connects Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. At mile 6.4 you'll reach a road and parking area (Kentucky Lake Drive). Cross the road, and then recross it two more times in the next 0.3 miles... eventually winding up on the south side of Kentucky Lake Drive, heading south. You'll pass another connector spur on the left, at mile 6.7, continue straight. At mile 7.5 you'll pass a microwave tower and connector trail on the left. Continue on the Canal Loop, crossing the Kentucky Lake Road at mile 8.2. At mile 9.1 you'll pass another connector trail on the left, continue straight on the trail. Follow the Canal loop at the next junction, winding around and eventually arriving at the junction with the North-South trail at mile 9.9. To finish the Canal loop, take a left and continue 0.2 miles to the parking area.

Mileage:
-------------
0.0 - North Entrance Station
2.1 - Nickell Branch Road
5.3 - Connector Trail on left, continue on Canal Loop
5.8 - Connector Trail on left, continue on Canal Loop
6.2 - Pass under The Trace, Canal on the right
6.4 - Kentucky Lake Road
6.7 - Connector Spur, continue on Canal Loop
7.5 - Microwave Tower
8.2 - Cross Kentucky Lake Road
9.1 - Pass a connector trail coming in from left
9.9 - North-South Trail Juction
10.1 - North Entrance Station

Variations: Take a left at any of the connector trails will return you to the Trace, where you can return to your car by heading south to the North Entrance Station.

Getting There

From Paducah, KY:
Head east on I-24 to the Grand Rivers exit (Exit 31). Head South on Hwy 453 through Grand River, over the Canal and onto the Trace. Park at the North Entrance Station visitor center (restrooms and water).

From Nashville, TN:
Take I-24 west into Kentucky. Continue on I-24 for about 60 miles, to the Grand Rivers exit (Exit 31). Head South on Hwy 453 through Grand River, over the Canal and onto the Trace. Park at the North Entrance Station visitor center (restrooms and water).

When to Bike

The Canal Loop can be ridden year-round.