Cadiz Walking & Bike Trail

The Cadiz Walking & Bike Trail is located along the Little River in downtown Cadiz, Kentucky; extending from the Old U.S. 68 hill behind the town band stand, to the Army Core of Engineers “Cadiz Recreation Area” park, all the way around to the Cadiz Sewer Treatment Plant on Franklin Street. The actual sign for the trail is found near the Cadiz Water Works on Albert Street; however, this sign is located near the halfway point of the hike. I would recommend starting behind the town band stand and descending the Old U.S. 68 hill.

This trail is comprised of sections of blacktop, gravel, and dirt. The blacktop portion is along the Old U.S. 68 route. From there, and heading west, the trail is dirt until you reach the old Cadiz Water Works ruins and city spring. You will then cross a walking bridge and pick up the gravel section, which heads west under the Hwy 139 bridge until you reach the public fishing dock. From there, the trail is more of a dirt four-wheeler path onward to the Cadiz Recreation Area and beyond until you arrive at the Sewer Treatment Plant.

I spoke with an employee of the Cadiz Water Works who said the trail was originally planned and paid for by a grant and volunteer labor many years ago. The trail has been highly overlooked, since the addition of the Cadiz Railroad Trail, and is now somewhat run down. Since the trail is located along the Little River, it gets flooded at certain times of the year, washing away the gravel. It is also being abused by unsanctioned four-wheeler use. In fact, the far western portion of the trail, leading to the Sewer Treatment Plant is primarily a  dirt four-wheeler path.

With all its drawbacks, the Cadiz Walking & Bike Trail is a scenic place to hike. It provides a wilderness feel right in the heart of town, without having to drive ten to twenty miles to reach one of the nearby state parks. With a good volunteer team and some rules prohibiting unsanctioned four-wheeler traffic, this trail could become really nice.