Birmingham, AL: Nubbin Creek
This 4.8-mile hike zigs along photogenic Mill Shoal Creek and leads to scenic, out-of-the-way waterfalls in Talladega National Forest.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 3.9
Waypoints
NC001
Location: 33.4152336120606, -85.8067398071289
From W side of gravel parking area, enter unmarked but well-traveled trail through corridor of young longleaf pines
NC002
Location: 33.4176368713379, -85.8064651489258
White oak and pine forest opens up; needles cushion the twisty trail
NC003
Location: 33.419864654541, -85.8077697753906
L @ T to continue on Nubbin Creek Trail
NC004
Location: 33.419979095459, -85.808235168457
Short trail on R descends to rock outcrop with sublime view of Mill Shoal Creek rushing over stacked stones below
NC005
Location: 33.4203834533691, -85.8107147216797
Trail leaves creek, passes though open hardwoods, and ascends a sloping hollow
NC006
Location: 33.4229316711426, -85.8139953613281
After short climb, carefully traverse ravine along a stairstep-width ledge before descending through white bloodroot, toothwort and laurel thickets back to creekbed
NC007
Location: 33.4240303039551, -85.8153991699219
Photo op: From high above the creekbed, view cascading torrents forming a funnel-shaped waterfall next to the trail; cross creek to continue
NC008
Location: 33.42529296875, -85.8140029907226
Straight @ 4-way with unmarked trail; look for blooming dogwoods
NC009
Location: 33.4276924133301, -85.815071105957
Skirt ridge just below top of hill; climb out of dense forest. Photo op: To S, hillside falls away steeply, providing wide trailside views of the forested valley below
NC010
Location: 33.4298477172852, -85.8214950561524
Nubbin Creek Trail leaves creekbed and heads into rocky gully near Mill Shoal headwaters; retrace route to car