Alabama has hundreds of miles of hiking trails that take hikers through bluffs, across creeks, and to the base of beautiful waterfalls. No matter where you are in the state, you will find a hiking trail nearby, but a few of them stand out because of their unique natural wonders. These are what we consider the best hikes in Alabama. If you’re planning a weekend hike and want to explore some of the best nature in the state, these five trails must make it on your list.
Starting at Lake Chinnabee and winding beside the Cheaha Creek to end at the top of Talladega Mountain, the Chinnabee Silent Trail features waterfalls, rock outcroppings, and flowing streams. Here you can enjoy an afternoon of hiking while experiencing the wealth of flora and fauna of the Talladega National Forest.
Tips and Resources:
If you can, bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip in an old-fashioned swimming hole. Keep your eyes peeled on the hike to spot an armadillo. Be prepared for the parking fee, which is $3. After the hike, head to Anniston, about 40 minutes away, to sit in the World’s Largest Chair or tour the Natural History Museum.
Definitely not for a beginner, the Walls of Jericho trail takes you down a series of switchbacks into a unique canyon complete with a waterfall and underground cavern. After spending some time exploring the canyon, the hike back up is quite strenuous. Primitive camping is allowed in the canyon, or you can simply do the entire trip in one day.
Rain makes the trail particularly difficult as it becomes slippery, so bring trekking poles or hiking sticks to help. After the hike, head to Scottsboro, where you can stay at the Goose Pond Colony Resort to enjoy some fishing and golfing or take a boat out on Lake Guntersville to catch some fish.
Lost Falls Trail gets its name from its waterfall, which can be hard to find when the water is not flowing. Lost Falls Trail is part of DeSoto State Park within the River Canyon National Preserve.
If you want to see the waterfall, visit in the spring or fall. It tends to dry up in the summer and freeze in the winter. Because of the easier terrain, this is a perfect hiking spot for families. After your hike, head to Fort Payne to dine at Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet or the Santa Fe Cattle Company.
Moss Rock Preserve Trail takes you to a lovely waterfall, but this trail is notorious for poor marking, so it’s best to have a live map app with you. While it is open year-round, spring and fall provide the best waterfall viewing. Many high-point lookouts throughout the preserve make it a popular destination.
Moss Rock Preserve has four color-coded trails. The white is the most strenuous because of its intense eastern section. The blue trail takes you to hidden valleys and boulders, while the red trail passes cliffs and wetlands. The orange trail is the newest and takes hikers through the park’s most scenic areas.
Moss Rock benefits from being less than five miles from Birmingham, so you can easily enjoy some city-based entertainment after your hike. Head into the city to visit the Birmingham Zoo, see a game at Regions Field, or dine at Dreamland BBQ.
Dismals Canyon Trail has not one but two waterfalls. This hike sits on land that was once home to Paleoamericans thousands of years ago, as well as Chickasaw and Cherokee tribes. Today, hikers can see grottos, shelters, and sanctuaries that these ancient people once used, and spear points can be seen in many areas of the canyon. Dismals Canyon was named a National Natural Landmark, and it contains a rich variety of plant life.
Dismals Canyon is home to Dismalites, a rare type of insect that lights up at night with a blue-green glow. To see Dismalites, consider booking a Night Tour. After your hike, visit Phil Campbell for a bite to eat at a local diner like Backwoods Grill and Fish Camp or the Homestead Cafe. For more information about the canyon, visit its official site.
1. CHINNABEE SILENT TRAIL
Starting at Lake Chinnabee and winding beside the Cheaha Creek to end at the top of Talladega Mountain, the Chinnabee Silent Trail features waterfalls, rock outcroppings, and flowing streams. Here you can enjoy an afternoon of hiking while experiencing the wealth of flora and fauna of the Talladega National Forest.
TRAIL AT A GLANCE
| Hiking Distance | 7.3 Miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Length to Complete | 3 Hours |
| Trail Type | Down and Back |
| Best Seasons to Visit | March through November |
| Dog Policies | Allowed on a Leash |
| Trail Map | Click Here for the Trail Map |
| Closest Town | Anniston, Alabama |
| Things to See | Lake Chinnabee, Cheaha Creek, Waterfalls, Talladega National Forest, Armadillos |
| Activities | Hiking, Swimming, Bird Watching |
| Recommended Gear | Trekking Poles, Backpack, Water Bottle/Hydration Pouch, Hiking Boots |
Tips and Resources:
If you can, bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip in an old-fashioned swimming hole. Keep your eyes peeled on the hike to spot an armadillo. Be prepared for the parking fee, which is $3. After the hike, head to Anniston, about 40 minutes away, to sit in the World’s Largest Chair or tour the Natural History Museum.
2. WALLS OF JERICHO TRAIL
Definitely not for a beginner, the Walls of Jericho trail takes you down a series of switchbacks into a unique canyon complete with a waterfall and underground cavern. After spending some time exploring the canyon, the hike back up is quite strenuous. Primitive camping is allowed in the canyon, or you can simply do the entire trip in one day.
TRAIL AT A GLANCE
| Hiking Distance | 6.6 Miles |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Length to Complete | 2 Hours |
| Trail Type | Out and Back |
| Best Seasons to Visit | All Seasons |
| Dog Policies | Allowed |
| Trail Map | Click Here for the Trail Map |
| Closest Town | Scottsboro, Alabama |
| Things to See | The Walls, Henshaw Crove, Waterfalls |
| Activities | Hiking, Horseback Riding, Primitive Camping, Bird Watching, Rock Climbing |
| Recommended Gear | Trekking Poles, Backpack, Water Bottle/Hydration Pouch, Hiking Boots |
Tips and Resources:
Rain makes the trail particularly difficult as it becomes slippery, so bring trekking poles or hiking sticks to help. After the hike, head to Scottsboro, where you can stay at the Goose Pond Colony Resort to enjoy some fishing and golfing or take a boat out on Lake Guntersville to catch some fish.
3. LOST FALLS TRAIL
Lost Falls Trail gets its name from its waterfall, which can be hard to find when the water is not flowing. Lost Falls Trail is part of DeSoto State Park within the River Canyon National Preserve.
TRAIL AT A GLANCE
| Hiking Distance | 2.9 Miles |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Length to Complete | 2 Hours |
| Trail Type | Loop Trail |
| Best Seasons to Visit | All Seasons |
| Dog Policies | Allowed on a Leash |
| Trail Map | Click Here for the Trail Map |
| Closest Town | Fort Payne, Alabama |
| Things to See | Lost Falls, Needle Eye Rock, Laurel Creek |
| Activities | Hiking, Wild Flowers, Bird Watching |
| Recommended Gear | Trekking Poles, Backpack, Water Bottle/Hydration Pouch, Hiking Boots |
Tips and Resources:
If you want to see the waterfall, visit in the spring or fall. It tends to dry up in the summer and freeze in the winter. Because of the easier terrain, this is a perfect hiking spot for families. After your hike, head to Fort Payne to dine at Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet or the Santa Fe Cattle Company.
4. MOSS ROCK PRESERVE TRAIL
Moss Rock Preserve Trail takes you to a lovely waterfall, but this trail is notorious for poor marking, so it’s best to have a live map app with you. While it is open year-round, spring and fall provide the best waterfall viewing. Many high-point lookouts throughout the preserve make it a popular destination.
TRAIL AT A GLANCE
| Hiking Distance | 3.2 Miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Length to Complete | 2 Hours |
| Trail Type | Loop Trail |
| Best Seasons to Visit | All Seasons |
| Dog Policies | Allowed on a Leash |
| Trail Map | Click Here for the Trail Map |
| Closest Town | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Things to See | Experience wildflowers in the Spring, see waterfalls, and hike |
| Activities | Hiking, Cave Exploration, Rock Climbing, Bird Watching |
| Recommended Gear | Trekking Poles, Backpack, Water Bottle/Hydration Pouch, Hiking Boots |
Tips and Resources:
Moss Rock Preserve has four color-coded trails. The white is the most strenuous because of its intense eastern section. The blue trail takes you to hidden valleys and boulders, while the red trail passes cliffs and wetlands. The orange trail is the newest and takes hikers through the park’s most scenic areas.
Moss Rock benefits from being less than five miles from Birmingham, so you can easily enjoy some city-based entertainment after your hike. Head into the city to visit the Birmingham Zoo, see a game at Regions Field, or dine at Dreamland BBQ.
5. DISMALS CANYON TRAIL
Dismals Canyon Trail has not one but two waterfalls. This hike sits on land that was once home to Paleoamericans thousands of years ago, as well as Chickasaw and Cherokee tribes. Today, hikers can see grottos, shelters, and sanctuaries that these ancient people once used, and spear points can be seen in many areas of the canyon. Dismals Canyon was named a National Natural Landmark, and it contains a rich variety of plant life.
TRAIL AT A GLANCE
| Hiking Distance | 1.5 Miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Length to Complete | 1 Hour |
| Trail Type | Out and Back |
| Best Seasons to Visit | All Seasons |
| Dog Policies | Allowed on a Leash |
| Trail Map | Click Here for the Trail Map |
| Closest Town | Phil Campbell, Alabama |
| Things to See | Rainbow Falls, Secret Falls, The Champion Tree, Weeping Bluff, Dismalites, and Dismals Canyon |
| Activities | Hiking, Historic Sites, Camping, Caves, Night Dismalites Tour |
| Recommended Gear | Trekking Poles, Backpack, Water Bottle/Hydration Pouch, Hiking Boots |
Tips and Resources:
Dismals Canyon is home to Dismalites, a rare type of insect that lights up at night with a blue-green glow. To see Dismalites, consider booking a Night Tour. After your hike, visit Phil Campbell for a bite to eat at a local diner like Backwoods Grill and Fish Camp or the Homestead Cafe. For more information about the canyon, visit its official site.