Ever wonder what it's like to hike on the Old Trace? (That historic stretch of roadway that today is merely a worn down foot and horse path in the few places that remain.)

Here are highlights, plus photos, of our favorite place to hike on the Natchez Trace Parkway: The Old Trace at milemarker 426.3.

I already wrote about my favorite roadtrip to take on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

My second favorite stretch of roadway along the Natchez Trace Parkway is the part that goes from Highway 96 in Franklin to just past Highway 46 exit in Leiper's Fork -- heading South.

A popular turnaround spot is the Garrison Creek rest area, about a mile past the Leiper's Fork exit.

Motorcycles... and bicycles... and cars... oh my!

Truth is, those are only some of the vehicles you'll find sharing the road on the Natchez Trace Parkway...

When I first moved to Tennessee, I was a little confused by this myself.

I figured there was only one Natchez Trace... Right?

Wrong!

In reality, there is a Natchez Trace Parkway and a Natchez Trace Park -- similar, yet different.

There are no commercial vehicles are allowed on the parkway. In fact, violation is a federal offense!

The maximum speed limit on the Trace is 50 mph most of the way.

As the exception, rather than the rule, the speed limit dips down to 40 mph at the northernmost tip (from Leiper's Fork at milepost 427 to the Natchez Trace Bridge near milepost 444).