It begins in Nashville and continues south through Wayne County where it enters Alabama. The road continues all the way to Natchez, Mississippi where it ends. The stretch through Middle Tennessee is often regarded as the most beautiful portion of the road. There are numerous overlooks, hiking trails, and waterfalls in the beautiful scenery of the rolling, Tennessee hills.
The Parkway follows the old Natchez trace from Natchez to Nashville, TN. The trace originated as a footpath used by Native Americans and early explorers to travel across the region. The simple path was later improved upon by the U.S. government in the early part of the 19th century. The trace was the path used by traders to return home after delivering their goods to the ports in the south (Natchez and New Orleans). Today the Trace is administered by the National Park Service. There are many scenic and historic sights to see along the length of the Trace. A combination of low speed limits and no commercial traffic make for a very relaxing and enjoyable drive - popular with bicyclists, motorcyclists, and cars.