Nine counties making up the Tennessee River Trails Association and bordering the Tennessee River in middle Tennessee were named part of a 347 mile long trail on November 4, 2011.

Validity Magazine salutes the launch of the Tennessee River Trail. Pictured Paula Hankins, Mayor John Carroll, Cissie Lynn, Suzanne Herron, Representative John Tidwell, Rep Steve McDaniel and Patsy Lynn.

Promoting economic development through conservation and preservation, tourism and education of the public to the valuable resources along the river were a catalyst for the scenic byway designation.  Counties of Benton, Decatur, Hardin, Houston, Henry, Humphreys, Perry, Stewart and Wayne are included in the Tennessee River Trail.

Historic towns featured along the trail include Waverly, Linden and Paris as well as Civil War Battlefields, Shiloh, near Savannah, and Fort Donelson, near Dover.

Outdoor recreation including canoeing the Buffalo River, bird watching and fishing are highlighted.  Area restaurants catered a reception at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills in honor of the launch of the Tennessee River Trail.

More information about Tennessee Trails and Byways may be found online at tnvacation.com