Alabama Hiking and Backpacking Trips

Birmingham: Cheaha Mountain

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Hike 'Bama's longest trail to reach its highest peak on this 20.6-mile out-and-back near the southern anchor of the Appalachian Mountains.

Birmingham, AL: DeSoto State Park

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Wander a 4.2-mile figure 8 that tours rhododendron clusters, rock formations, and serene cascades in a diverse hardwood forest near the Alabama-Georgia state line.

Birmingham: Land Trust Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Explore seasonal waterfalls, mellow woods, and a large quarry on this moderate 4.5-mile loop along the relatively steep flanks of Monte Sano Mountain.

Montgomery, AL: George T Bagby State Park

BACKPACKER Review
Explore sunken islands and a quiet nature trail on this family-friendly, 4.8-mile paddle-hike along the shores of Chattahoochee River Reservoir.

Chattanooga, TN: Walls of Jericho

BACKPACKER Review
Straddling the Tennessee-Alabama state line, this strenuous 7-mile shuttle explores the headwaters of the Paint Rock River, delving deep into a natural ravine amphitheater.

Birmingham: Foothill-Double Oak Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Stroll through a tableau of pine-studded foothills past a secluded lake, then climb to a steep saddle on this 7.5-mile loop in Oak Mountain State Park.

Talladega National Forest

A 3 day backpacking trip to the Talladega National Forest. We will hike 3 trails in a loop - the Skyway Loop, Chinnabee Silent, and Pinhoti trails.

Sipsey Wilderness

Two night Backpacking Trip in Sispey Wilderness.

Peavine Trail

A relatively strenuous hike in Oak Mountain State Park.

Ruffner Mountain Hike

Ruffner Mountain Hike to the old quarry.

Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Paddle Pristine Shorelines

BACKPACKER Review
Sea kayaking unlocks a new world of solitude and scenery.

BACKPACKER Review
Tired of the same old weekend loops? Looking to create memories your grandkids will talk about? In this how-and-where guide, we serve up 15 extraordinary escapes that will shatter your expectations of "normal." From adventure moviemaking to canyoneering, we'll take you places you've never been—but will long to visit again soon.

Local Hikes: Southeast

BACKPACKER Review
Hike these long trails in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida, and paddle three days in the Everglades backcountry.

Trip Finder: Southeast

BACKPACKER Review
Your favorite Southeast trips—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.

Print & Go Weekend Trip Planners

BACKPACKER Review
Free Print & Go PDFs give you turn-by-turn trail instructions and photos embedded on a usable topo map. Also: gear checklists, driving directions, and geo-references for finding the nearest campground, restaurant, gas station, and grocery store.

Hikes and Trips in all 50 States

BACKPACKER Review
Use our comprehensive state-specific pages to find hikes in your home state our a state you're planning on visiting.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.