Driving
Directions to Parking Areas
Chief
Ladiga Trail
Piedmont
Downtown
The trail crosses US 9 several blocks from US 278 and is easily
seen when traveling on US 9. This is also North Main Street.
Traveling South on 9 from 278, Turn left on to Seaboard Blvd. It
runs along the North side of the trail and parallels the trail
for several blocks. On the second block there is a parking lot on
the left side, North side, of this road. The back of the Post
Office can be seen across the parking lot. This is a very good
place to park as there is usually plenty of room and the trail is
just across the road.
Just West of Town to ride toward
Jacksonville
There is another parking area which is good if you are riding
toward Jacksonville. This area can be located as follows. If you
are traveling South on US 9(N. Main) from US 278 watch for the
First Baptist Church of Piedmont on the right side of 9. Turn
right, West, on the first street after the church. This road is
East Ladiga and goes beside the church. Travel West on this road
for 2 1/2 blocks and watch for a good gravel parking area on the
left side of this road. There is an equipment building and a bike
rack in this lot. This is also a good parking area.
Eubanks Welcome Center
The Eubanks Welcome Center may be the best place to park a
vehicle and ride. From US 9, or North Main Street, turn East on
East Ladiga St. This will take you through down town. Past the
Public Services Building and the U. S. Post Office. Travel three
(3) blocks on East Ladiga and watch for Dailey St. on the right
side. Turn right on Dailey and travel about one block. When you
cross the trail you will see the Eubanks Welcome Center on the
left. A big paved parking lot is behind the welcome center.
Park Near the Eastern End
If you want to ride toward the Georgia line and ride a Mountain
Bike on the gravel portion of the trail, or park near the Eastern
end of the trail and ride, there are two good places to park. I
have parked in the parking lot of the Bethel United Methodist
Church. Another is at the Chief Ladiga Trading Post. To get to
the church take 278 east through Piedmont. When 278 joins another
road and makes a left turn at the Eastern end of Piedmont, go
straight across instead of following 278. You will see Nances
Creek on the right side of the road. This road will dead end into
Vigo Road. Take the left and follow it for a two of miles
watching for Hibble Hwy and the church on the right across the
trail. The Trading Post is 3/4 mile before you get to the church
and located on the left side of Vigo Rd. You can get snacks and
drinks here. Bethel UMC is only a couple of miles from the end of
the pavement and the bridge that crosses Terrapin Creek. The
trail across the bridge is rough gravel, but a good ride on a
mountain bike. I was told you could ride all the way to Georgia.
That is not correct. I have ridden out the unpaved part of the
trail for about 3 1/2 miles. There you will encounter an
unimproved trestle. It must be 150 feet long and part of it is
burned. It is not safe to cross this trestle. The ride on the
up-paved portion is not to rough for a mountain bike, but should
not be attempted on a road bike. This is a very beautiful and
remote part of the trail. I sure hope it is completed soon.
Jacksonville
Germania Springs
There are several good places to park here. One very popular one
is in the Germania Springs Park. This park is located on hi-way
21 North going toward Piedmont. When leaving the University
proper, traveling North on hi-way 21, watch for the park and a
road turning into the park on the left side of the road. Just
before the road into the parking area, the ball fields of the
park will be on the left side of the road. This park has
facilities and this makes it a desirable place to park.
Near the campus on high-way 204
A small but very well kept parking area is on hi-way 204 just at
the Western edge of the University campus. The parking area is on
the North of 204 and is easy to spot. The trail appears to end
here as of September 2001, but takes up again on the other side
of the University. The section across the campus will be
completed soon. If you want to ride toward Weaver and Anniston,
ride across 204 and follow the lightly traveled road as it goes
beside some fraternity housing and curves around to the right. If
you look to the left side of the road you can see the trail about
100 feet away.
Across 204 on Campus
Parking is permited during non-school hours
across the Alabama 204 access point in the lot of Self Hall on
the JSU campus. This is just across the street from the CLT at AL
204 and may be necessary on weekends.
Mountain Street
There is a parking area and access point next to the
trail on the West end of Mountain Street. This is next to the old
Norfolk Southern Depot. This old Depot will become a welcome
center for the CLT in Jacksonville. The exterior rehab will begin
soon.
Francis Street
There is also parking on the West end of Francis Street next to
the trail.
Jacksonville High School
Parking is permitted during non-school hours in the lot of the
new Jacksonville High School. This is on the west end of George
Douthit Road. There is a 700 foot paved connection fron the JHS
to the CLT already in place.
Weaver
The city park in Weaver is a great place to park and ride. There
are rest rooms and other facilities at this park. It is not easy
to find if you are traveling from Jacksonville as the roads
leading to it are not well signed. It is easy to find from
Anniston. Follow the directions to Woodland Park and drive past
it on Weaver Road. Keep traveling on it and the park is less than
two miles from Woodland Park.
Anniston
Dr. Mike Tucker Memorial in Woodland Park near Weaver and in
Anniston is the present terminus of the trail. This is a great
place to park. If traveling in on I-20 this is the quickest
access to the trail. From US 431, take US 21 North when 431 turns
to the left and 21 goes straight. This is also McClellan Blvd.
Travel about 2 miles and turn left onto Weaver Road. This
intersection is difficult to find as the street sign for Weaver
Rd. is not very visible. By searching for the intersection of 21
and Weaver Rd. on one of the Internet map sites you can access a
good map of this intersection. Woodland park is less than one
mile out Weaver Rd. and is on the left side of the road. There
are no facilities at this park, but it is a very good access
point to the trail.
More information and links to maps for
the parking areas on the way.
I just have to figure out how to make it work.
This Page is Part
of
Aaron's Alabama Mountain Biking