The Merging of Two Visions: Singing River Trail Joins the Tennessee RiverLine

It is a partnership that brings together two visions – one green and the other blue – to create a new way of engaging with the great North Alabama outdoors.

Representatives from Madison County’s legacy Singing River Trail project joined representatives from the Tennessee RiverLine project recently to kick off their vision for a continuous system of hiking, biking, and on-water experiences along the 652-mile reach of the Tennessee River. 

The Singing River Trail was originally planned as a 70-mile, 3-county project consisting of walking, biking, and hiking trails and greenways to show off North Alabama’s rich history and to preserve its pristine environment; however, it has become a 150-mile, 8-county project connecting North Alabama from Bridgeport/Scottsboro to Sheffield and bringing it within 16 miles of the Natchez Trace.

The Tennessee RiverLine project will run from Knoxville, Tenn., to Paducah, Ky., but will intersect with north Alabama to provide parallel green and blueway routes. In fact, kayakers in Knoxville, who were returning home to north Alabama, joined the RiverLine launch festivities in Knoxville.

According to Singing River Trail executive director, John Kvach, the partnership between the two projects has many shared interests.

“How about a tourist who comes to Alabama, rents a kayak in Bridgeport, and paddles to Guntersville, Huntsville, Decatur, and to the Shoals,” Kvach said. “They then rent a bike and take the Singing River Trail back to Bridgeport. 

“This partnership creates hotel rooms, campsites, meals, food, services, rentals, and opportunities for individuals and communities along both routes.”

He also points out that nearly 21 percent of Alabama residents live along some portion of the Singing River Trail, so these are opportunities created by more than just tourists. 

“How many staycations, day trips, and work commutes would happen once we are fully open,” he asks. “The faster we build it, the faster they will come and enjoy it. The faster they enjoy it, the faster we can generate revenue from it and create new outdoor innovation zones.”

Kvach also gave an update to other aspects underway on the trail.

“We are working on getting our final plans in place to start Singing River Trail route studies in Athens and from Decatur to the Shoals,” he said. “We want as much of the trail in design so we can act and not react when federal infrastructure money begins to arrive in North Alabama. Guess we are fast and hungry.” 

Also, in Florence, the Singing River (Patton) Bridge into downtown Florence is already in use. People can ride over the bridge to downtown Florence and connect to the University of North Alabama, the Singin’ River Brewery, and then head northwest to the Natchez Trace. 

“We can create a western loop that would go from Florence to the Natchez Trace, head down the Trace to the Sheffield SRT trailhead, and then back to Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Tuscumbia … Perfect!” said Kvach.

The Singing River Trail and Tennessee RiverLine are designed as catalysts for economic, social, and environmental impact in the regions they touch, including the 4.5 million residents of the Tennessee Valley in North Alabama.