Focus on a route that will take your mind off of the fact that you are exercising by choosing a route with plenty to see:

The Tunnel to Breeden Trestle (5.5 Mile Round Trip): This is a fairly easy trip that starts off downhill (slight uphill grade coming back). Start off from the Tunnel Hill Trailhead and ride south. In less than an eighth of a mile, you will pass through the Tunnel which is the tunnel that gave the trail its name. Try to go through the tunnel when no one else is coming the opposite way and stay in the middle. You will get tunnel vision in most cases. If you have to, get off and push and you might consider a bike light as well. Continue through the tunnel until shortly reaching Sandburn Junction, an old general store turned into a trail store. Stop by for bike rentals, snacks, water and even ice cream. Continue on for another couple of miles enjoying the views of bluffs, hardwood forests, pine plantations and smaller trestles along the way. Eventually you will reach Breeden Trestle which is the best bridge on the whole trail. It is high up and has a wonderful view. There are three lookout decks on the bridge allowing riders to stop and view the scenery without being in the way of other trail users. After you’re done, turn around and ride back to the trailhead.

Karnak to Cache River Wetlands Center (5.5 Mile Round Trip): This is a fairly riding route, there and back with plenty to see along the way. Staring at the Karnak Trailhead, ride west along the trail towards the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center! As you ride towards the center, notice the changing environment to your left and right. You will start to notice swamplands and even cross the deep Cache River before reaching the gate. Go around the gate and head towards the Wetlands Center. Get there before 4:00 PM to be able to go inside the center and look around. They have a lot to see there and even a movie you can watch. Outside of the Wetlands Center, there are a few hiking trails and an observation deck on top of an awesome looking swamp. This would be an ideal route to take kids on. Allow yourself plenty of time at the Wetlands Center because there is a lot to see. They also sell t-shirts and cool stuff like that as well. After you’re done, simply ride back the way you came.

Tunnel Hill to Parker City (9 Mile Round Trip): This is a great route with a mostly downhill ride to (uphill on the return trip) from Tunnel Hill to an actual Ghost Town! Parker City is one of the many Ghost Towns along the Tunnel Hill State Trail which was at one time, a thriving community until the decline of railroad operations turned it into nothing. Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! Along the way, enjoy forests and bluffs and scenic environments. At about 4.4 miles, you’ll reach the bench and sign on your left right before a bridge. That is Parker City! Around that area, you’ll see old structures associated with the former railroad, old road structures and even the foundation of a building that was once there. After you’re done, head back and enjoy the uphill exercise you will get.

Vienna to Tunnel Hill (10 Mile Round Trip): This is a longer route that is mostly uphill all the way to Tunnel Hill and downhill all the way back to Vienna. There is a lot to see along this route and is often the most favored biking route on the trail. Starting at Vienna City Park, head north on the trail and stop at the Tunnel Hill Trailhead when you’re ready to turn around and come back. The ride will be at just about 20 miles as a round trip. Along this route, you will see different forest environments, bluffs, rock formations; side trails for hiking, trestles, old farming equipment, old homesteads, signs of the railroad that use to thrive here and the tunnel. There are many benches along this route to stop at and rest as well.

Karnak to Wetland Center

Vienna to Tunnel Hill

Other cycling gear to consider when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail should be on your list as well. I highly recommend getting and wearing a bicycle helmet. A bump to the head can do serious damage to you. Your head and brain is worth protecting. You can always fix your hair but you can’t always fix brain damage. Some bike lights might also be good in case you are on the trail after dark or need lights to see through the tunnel. I used to could ride through the tunnel without lights but anymore, I become disorientated and have a hard time doing it so now I try to use lights. Pack a couple of water bottles and consider a hydration backpack to carry extra water, snacks and stuff like that. Add a portable air pump and a saddle bag with basic bike tools and a spare inner tube to ensure that you can fix flats and minor issues if they arise. If you can’t make these repairs, other cyclists on the trail might be able to as long as you have the tools. You might even consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you might need. I’ve upgraded to that myself and I like it a lot. Just don’t feel you need to pack everything on your ride because the more weight you have to carry, the harder it will be to ride!