Birmingham: Foothill-Double Oak Loop
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.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 12.1
Waypoints
WPT001
Location: 33.3572616577148, -86.7049026489258
From lot, cross John Findlay Dr., join trail; turn R over creekbed onto Shackleford/Foothills Trail
WPT002
Location: 33.3559532165527, -86.7056274414062
Bear L @ Y onto yellow-blazed Foothills Trail
WPT003
Location: 33.3468055725098, -86.7119598388672
Straight @ 4-way as trail subtly rolls onto small saddle; forest transitions into longleaf and loblolly pine
WPT004
Location: 33.3438339233398, -86.71826171875
Primitive campsite; descend narrow valley, flanking a creek
WPT005
Location: 33.3454322814941, -86.7228622436524
Cross bridge and bend along shoreline of Lake Tranquility (“Old Lake” on topos); see ’60s cabins on S side. Don’t miss: After bridge, faded path on R weaves .2 mi to ghost-town dwellings
WPT006
Location: 33.3483123779297, -86.7260513305664
NPass N through a narrow valley, rounding W hillside
WPT007
Location: 33.3441886901856, -86.7349853515625
Go straight @ 4-way across red-blazed Double Oak Trail
WPT008
Location: 33.3375053405762, -86.7398986816406
Turn L onto Double Oak, then make an immediate R @ kiosk; stay L of the sign and trek the unmarked trail
WPT009
Location: 33.3354606628418, -86.7381057739258
Primitive campsite on R near spring. Stay straight @ first T, then R @ Y in .3 mi. to climb steep Double Oak Mtn.
WPT010
Location: 33.329029083252, -86.7329711914062
Turn R onto white-blazed Shackleford Trail, then L onto Double Oak Trail. Ahead, turn L for quick spur to summit
WPT011
Location: 33.3343887329102, -86.7203674316406
Keep straight, dipping 2.1 mi.downhill into beech & hickory soils