Alabama Trails
Fido admires the view from the top of Alabama's Cheaha Mountain.
Alabama, known for its inland waterway system, is located in the southeastern part of the U.S., bordered by Mississippi to the west, Georgia to the east, Tennessee to the north, and both Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
The Tennessee River cuts through northern Alabama, forming many creeks, streams, rivers, mountains and lakes. Here, you’ll find popular hiking areas in and around Birmingham, the largest city.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips in Alabama.
Hike This, Not That: 15 Epic Alternatives to Crowded Trails
Thanks to COVID-19, big-name national parks are drawing larger crowds than normal this year, leading to busy trails and hard-to-get permits. So skip ‘em and set your sights on these sleeper alternatives instead. Not only will you still nab beauty to rival any national park, but there’s a good chance your social distancing will extend for miles and miles.
6 Eastern Fall Hikes to Catch Epic Colors
With its mixed hardwood forests, the east coast has some of the country's best fall leaves. See them before they're gone on these six hikes.
10 Threatened Hiking Trails That Need Your Help
Hit these endangered trails to vote with your feet and send a message that protection pays off.
Master Southern Trails in Cheaha State Park
People often think Alabama is flat, says Callie Thornton. A hike on the Pinhoti Trail is the quickest way to prove them wrong.
Fall Hiking in the Bankhead National Forest, Alabama
The hardwood forests, scalped cliffs, and sandstone caves of northern Alabama are good any time of year.
The Best Day Hikes in America: Alabama
Feel the frontier on a 1,000-foot descent past bluffs, sinkholes, and caves.
Orange Beach, AL: Beach hikes, river kayaking, country bars, oysters
Our field scout explores Orange Beach, Alabama.
Birmingham, AL: DeSoto State Park
Get the best of summer (waterfalls, swimming, beaching) with the best of fall (mild temps and colorful foliage) on this overnight through DeSoto State Park. BY VICTORIA STOPP
Never-Never Land Campsite, DeSoto State Park, AL
Camp in comfort at DeSoto State Park, rent this three-sided shelter for a family weekend of hiking, biking, and swimming under southern waterfalls.
Birmingham: Desoto Scout Trail
This easy 3.4-mile dayhike skirts the swift waters of the Little River, then gently climbs to clifftop views of a deep river canyon in DeSoto State Park.
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.
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.
Huntsville, AL: Land Trust Loop
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.
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.
Mobile: Pine Beach Loop
See gators, sea turtles, and life-list birds on this 3.7-miler in Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, one of the Gulf Coast's last undeveloped tracts.
Birmingham, AL: Pinhoti Trail Loop
Ford creeks and rivers and traipse past rocky overlooks on this 17.6-mile loop along Alabama's secluded Pinhoti Trail.
Decatur, AL: Sipsey Wilderness
Traverse old-growth forest and clamber over sandstone boulders on this 13-mile hike in Alabama's premier wilderness area.
Oxford, AL: Talladega Mountain
Escape to solitude and panoramic ridge views on this 12-mile loop in Talladega National Forest.
Huntsville, AL: Cane Creek Canyon
Waterfalls, wildflower caches, stunning limestone canyons: this 7-miler hits the highlights of a unique Alabama backcountry preserve.
Birmingham, AL: DeSoto State Park
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.
Huntsville, AL: DeSoto Falls
This trio of trails tours the rim of a ravine down to a waterfall that plunges 104-feet into an aquamarine pool feeding DeSoto Falls Lake.
Desoto Falls - canyon rim overlook
This short hike is a lesser used approach to view Desoto Falls from the canyon rim. Views of the falls and river are beautiful.
BACKPACKER Get Out More Tour (2012 Events)
Outdoor pros Sheri and Randy Propster will share their trail-tested tips in more than 60 events across the nation in 2012.
The Great Best Views Debate
In our September 2013 issue we polled our experts on their favorite views in the U.S. What are your favorite views in each state?