Birmingham: Cheaha Mountain
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.
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Sign up for Outside+ today.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 16.7
Waypoints
CMT001
Location: 33.370418548584, -85.8429794311524
Head NE on yellow-blazed Odum Trail; R @ immediate Y to ascend Cedar Mountain along High Fall Branch past several audible, just-off-trail waterfalls
CMT002
Location: 33.3998680114746, -85.8414840698242
Go R 50 ft. off trail for good overlook with views E to Shinbone Ridge
CMT003
Location: 33.4123840332031, -85.8284301757812
L @ Y, following Odum Trail around Big Caney Head
CMT004
Location: 33.4235992431641, -85.8302993774414
R @ 4-way onto Alabama Pinhoti Trail along Talladega Mountain
CMT005
Location: 33.433967590332, -85.8236694335938
Head 15 ft. W for overlook to antenna-crowned Cheaha Mountain, hike’s goal
CMT006
Location: 33.4518661499023, -85.8217697143555
McDill Point: Head down short side trail for great views W from overlook. Wreckage of small plane on R along spur trail; since 1940, more than 13 planes have crashed in this area
CMT007
Location: 33.4718818664551, -85.8082504272461
L @ Y
CMT008
Location: 33.4748687744141, -85.807014465332
L onto AL 281; walk 150 yds. N on road to Cheaha State Park entrance through chestnut oaks and dwarfed Virginia pines on ridgeline
CMT009
Location: 33.4772338867188, -85.8080978393555
R off road into park, continue N
CMT010
Location: 33.4854164123535, -85.8086166381836
Cheaha Mtn. (2,407 ft.). Climb metal stairs of tower for grand views over the undulating hills of 232,000-acre Talladega National Forest. Retrace steps to trailhead
