Video: Visitors and Businesses Running Smoothly Along The Tanglefoot Trail

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PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) — The longest rails to trails conversion in the state is less than a year and a half old, but it is making an impact throughout our area.

It’s Thursday morning and a diverse mix of businesspeople, retirees and fitness enthusiasts are hitting the trail. The 46.3 mile Tanglefoot Trail opened in October 2013. Since then, it’s become a favorite destination for bicyclists, walkers and runners.

“The trail is awesome,” said bicyclist, Bobby McGee. “It gives us a place to work out , stay in shape, It’s safe, you’re not being subjected to traffic, with cell phones it’s gotten really dangerous biking on the roads and it’s taking you places where you normally couldn’t go, when I was growing up I never saw any of the places we’re able to bike now.”

Users of the trail span all ages. Bob Chamblee celebrated his 80th birthday on the trail.

Chamblee said, “We rode from Houston to New Albany and back, 90 miles. When they built the trail I just got started riding on that, it’s good exercise.”

It has also been a boost to the local economy.

Trail Manager, Don Locke said, “We’ve had several new businesses to open on or close to the trail as a result of the trail. We have had a number of others who have expanded.”

Such as Hill and Trail Bicycle Company. Several years ago, Brad and Karen Hill decided it was time to put a bike shop in their outdoor tool business.

“It’s growing, but it’s seasonal,” said Karen Hill. “The warm, pretty days, of course you do more business, a little slower in the winter time, however, it’s brought a lot of people from the north, who are retired and ride trails all over America.”

A number of trail related events are planned throughout the year at towns along the path.

The Tanglefoot Trail is opened 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.