Five Awesome Alabama Trails to Discover This Spring

If hiking is your passion and you are looking for outdoor fun this spring, Alabama is a good place to call home. According to, the Yellowhammer State boasts more than 560 great hiking trails. Here are five highly rated Alabama trails for your spring and summer must-hike list.

North Alabama: Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is a 700-acre, privately owned nature preserve in Northwest Alabama. A cooperative project with the Nature Conservancy of Alabama, it’s open to the public year-round, Friday through Sunday plus holidays, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Eastern Alabama: Chinnabee Silent Trail

Located in the Talladega National Forest, 392,567 acres of breathtaking beauty at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, this 7.3 mile, moderately trafficked, the out-and-back trail takes hikers through multiple habitats, making it ideal for birdwatchers.

The elevation gain is 892 feet and peak hiking months are March through November. You can bring your pup, but you’ll need to keep them on a leash. The trail can be rocky, wet and has blowdowns, so choose your footwear carefully. 

Trail highlights include Cheaha Falls, Devil’s Den, and Lake Chinnabee. Much of the trail is shady though, making it a good hot-weather trek. Hikers who experienced the trail said the “scenery is just awesome” and called it “my favorite trail of all time.”

Central Alabama: Blue Trail to King’s Chair Overlook

Oak Mountain State Park, located 20 miles south of Birmingham, is the state’s largest state park with  25 miles of hiking trails. The 14.1-mile, out-and-back Blue Trail is one of the most difficult. With a 2,139-foot elevation gain, the steep trail can be challenging, so consider bringing trekking poles. It’s accessible year-round and allows dogs on leashes.

Hikers will encounter creeks, waterfalls, and stunning overlooks, including King’s Chair. The overlooks are exposed and sunny, but much of the trail is shaded. If 14.1 miles isn’t challenging enough, you can easily connect to other trails in the park during the warmer months. Folks over the age of 12 will pay $12 to enter the park, children age 6-11 and seniors over 62 can get in for $1, and there’s no fee for children under 5.

Eastern Alabama: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail

One of the most scenic trails in the state, Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail is a 3.2 mile, lightly trafficked loop trail with an elevation gain of 383 feet. Open all year, and dog-friendly. The trail offers a shaded, well-marked hike that is accessible to all ages and all skill levels. However, the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association recommends parents only bring children 12 years and older. Children ages 12 to 14 years old should have adult supervision, the association says.

The lake views set this trail apart, as does Chimney Rock, one of Lake Martin’s most famous landmarks. Consider a picnic atop some of the larger rocks that rim the lake. Hikers who reviewed the trail said it was “a great trail with beautiful views” and “highly recommended.” The trail is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

South Alabama: Rosemary Dunes Trail

Alabama’s beautiful trails go through the mountains, around the lakes and finally, to the beach. In Orange Beach, you’ll find the Rosemary Dunes Trail, a 4.3 mile, moderately trafficked, out-and-back trail. It’s nearly flat, with an elevation gain of only 32 feet. The wheelchair-friendly paved trail is suitable for all skill levels. It’s accessible all year long and has a small playground and picnic area. The free trails are open during daylight hours.

The wildlife and vegetation make this trail unique. Don’t be surprised if you spot an alligator or two, as well as other marsh-dwelling animals. As the trail goes through multiple habitats, it’s also a good trek for birders. Hikers rave about the wildflowers, cattails, and water lilies, as well as the pollinator garden filled with butterflies. But prepare for a sunny, humid hike. Trail reviewers called it “absolutely pristine” and “a great place to bird and herp.”

 

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