By Joe Songer
Thankfully, spring is almost here! It’s a great time to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer. One of the best ways to get your exercise and see wonderful natural surroundings is hiking and riding a bike. Here is a collection of 13 amazing trails at our Alabama State Parks. Hiking these trails offers a chance to see waterfalls, expansive vistas and abundant wildlife. The photo captions offer details about the trail, difficulty, length and what you can expect to see on your hike. Some trails can be shared by hikers and bike riders. So get out and enjoy the great Alabama outdoors at these Alabama State Park trails. (Joe Songer).
1. Cheaha State Park-Bald Rock Boardwalk
The most popular trail at Cheaha State Park is the Bald Rock Boardwalk. There are 3 paths that lead out to Bald Rock Outlook; a boardwalk and a dirt trail, on either side of the boardwalk. The boardwalk leads to an amazing vista at the Bald Rock Outlook. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
Cheaha State Park-Bald Rock Boardwalk
The outlook and boardwalk is handicap accessible with awesome views from near the state’s highest point. (Photo/Joy Week)
Joe Songer
Cheaha State Park-Bald Rock Boardwalk
There is a large overlook at the end of the boardwalk with stairs and a path down to the rocks below. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
2. Chewacla State Park-For Pete’s Sake Trail
Chewacla State Park has a great partnership with Central Alabama Mountain Peddlers (CAMP) that offers a great trail system to the public. The park offers 28 miles of trails shared by cyclists and hikers. One trail, the “For Pete’s Sake Trail” is 8 miles long.
Chewacla State Park-For Pete’s Sake Trail
This trail has it all: fun runs, slightly technical climbs, narrow bridges, loose rocks, steep slopes that will test ability to stay on the trail. The labyrinth-like arrangement will give an experience of deja vu on repetitive sections. Here is a link to all of the trails at Chewalca State Park.
Joe Songer
Chewacla State Park-For Pete’s Sake Trail
Chewacla State Park has several trails for biking and hiking that run near amazing overlooks and vistas. This park is very convenient to Auburn University.
Joe Songer
3. DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop
Though only of moderate length (2.9 miles) and difficulty, this route passes three small waterfalls on spring-fed Laurel Creek: Azalea Cascade, Lost Falls, and Laurel Falls. (Alabama State Parks)
DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop
As with all of DeSoto’s waterfalls, Indian Falls lie high in Lookout Mountain’s watershed, so you need to plan a hike just after a good rain if you want to see them flowing. Best times for water flow are Winter, Spring, and early Summer. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop
DeSoto State Park Waterfall Loop. Azalea Cascade. The boardwalk is 360 yards long through wooded slopes and moist forest floor. The Boardwalk ends with a 20’ octagon deck over the pool formed by Azalea Cascades, one of the many waterfalls in the Park. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop
Laurel Creek at DeSoto State Park on the Waterfall Loop. (Alabama State Parks).
Joe Songer
4. Lake Lurleen State Park-Dam Trail
The Dam Trail is accessed from the South Trail Head located just as you enter the park. You get to walk lake side all the way to the dam and spillway. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
Joe Songer
Lake Lurleen State Park-Dam Trail
Hike along this beautiful lake. Bring fishing gear and fish along the banks. There are wonderful lake views along this trail. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
5. Buck’s Pocket State Park-Point Rock Boardwalk
Buck’s Pocket State Park Point Rock Boardwalk. This is a boardwalk trail with a few steps and some uneven rocky areas. A short walk along the boardwalk leads to a breathtaking view of Buck’s Pocket Canyon from high atop Point Rock.
Joe Songer
Buck’s Pocket State Park-Point Rock Boardwalk
This massive sandstone formation sits 800 feet above the valley floor and offers spectacular views of fall foliage and spring blooms. Repairs and renovations are scheduled for 2017.
Joe Songer
Buck’s Pocket State Park-Point Rock Boardwalk
Amazing view from Point Rock Overlook. This view is amazing as the suns sets over this amazing vista.
Joe Songer
6. Oak Mountain State Park-Blue Trail to Kings Chair Overlook
Beginning at the North trail head is approximately 1 3/4 miles to the overlook off of the blue trail. It is a moderate hike with a few steep sections. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
Oak Mountain State Park-Blue Trail to Kings Chair Overlook
Blue Trail to Kings Chair Overlook at Oak Mountain State Park. On the way to Kings Chair you will have a few small creek crossings where the temperature tends to be cooler for a perfect place to take a break. Wildflowers are abundant in the spring.(Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
Oak Mountain State Park-Blue Trail to Kings Chair Overlook
You will also pass the turn to Eagles Nest overlook that is a little more difficult but another great place to unwind and admire the view of the park. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
Oak Mountain State Park-Blue Trail to Kings Chair Overlook
A hiker takes a break on the trail. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
7. Monte Sano State Park-South Plateau Loop Trail
Monte Sano State Park South Plateau Loop Trail. This trail is 3.5 miles in length and is an easy to moderate hike. This is a nice family hike and features O’Shaughnessy Point with a wonderful vista.
Joe Songer
Monte Sano State Park-South Plateau Loop Trail
Monte Sano State Park South Plateau Loop Trail. This trail is 3.5 miles in length and is an easy to moderate hike. It’s a great place for a mid-hike picnic. Mountaintop views and rest shelters are available on the trail.
Joe Songer
8. Gulf State Park-Eagle Loop Trail
The Eagle Loop Trail at Gulf State Park is about a 3/4 mile long and half of it is wooden boardwalk. The trail is classified as easy and flat for both walkers and bikers There is a really beautiful pier that goes out in to Lake Shelby where you can relax or fish. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
Gulf State Park-Eagle Loop Trail
The Eagle Loop Trail at Gulf State Park is about a 3/4 mile long and half of it is wooden boardwalk. The trail is classified as easy and flat for both walkers and bikers There is a really beautiful pier that goes out in to Lake Shelby where you can relax or fish. (Alabama State Parks)
Gulf State Park-Eagle Loop Trail
The Eagle Loop Trail at Gulf State Park is about a 3/4 mile long and half of it is wooden boardwalk. The trail is classified as easy and flat for both walkers and bikers There is a really beautiful pier that goes out in to Lake Shelby where you can relax or fish. Bird house line many of the trails at Gulf State Park. The trails are used by hikers and cyclists. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
9. Lake Guntersville State Park-Butler’s Pass
Lake Guntersville State Park Butler’s Pass: Elevation at top 1,050 and at bottom Butler’s Pass is a 1.3 mile rocky trail that traverses the mountain with end points at the top end being the intersection of Waterfall/Golf Course/Gateway and on the bottom end, Moonshine, King’s Chapel and Terrell Connector. Butler’s Pass has some rocky sections, but overall is moderate and also has some fast, fun sections! There is a beautiful scenic overlook too!
Joe Songer
Lake Guntersville State Park-Butler’s Pass
Lake Guntersville State Park Butler’s Pass. Elevation at top 1,050 and at bottom Butler’s Pass is a 1.3 mile rocky trail that traverses the mountain with end points at the top end being the intersection of Waterfall/Golf Course/Gateway and on the bottom end, Moonshine, King’s Chapel and Terrell Connector. Butler’s Pass has some rocky sections, but overall is moderate and also has some fast, fun sections! There is a beautiful scenic overlook too! This trail is beautiful after a winter snow.
Joe Songer
10. Lake Guntersville State Park-Moonshine Trail
Lake Guntersville State Park Moonshine Trail – Elevation: 865 ft. at top of trail Moonshine Trail is a 0.7 mile moderate trail stretching from one end of Butler’s Pass to the gravel parking lot at the intersection of Waterfall/King’s Chapel/Terrell Connector. It is a moderate trail with a technical section or two, but all in all a fast, easy trial. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
11. Joe Wheeler State Park-Jimmy Sims Birding Trail
Joe Wheeler State Park Jimmy Sims Birding Trail. The original idea of Joe Wheeler State Park employee and Naturalist, Jimmy Sims, the birding trail is an easy 1/2 mile hike along First Creek, and to the back of a slough. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
12. Wind Creek State Park-Campfire Trail
Wind Creek State Park Yellow Trail known as the “Campfire Trail is 1.8 miles long and classified as a moderate hike. The trail features hardwood forest and stands of long leaf pine. Part of the trail runs along the lake where this photo was taken. During spring watch for white dogwood, buckeye and oak leaf hydrangea blooming on the hardwood ridges. Wildlife abounds on this hike with deer, turkey, woodpeckers and ducks regularly seen by hikers. Watch and you might see a bald eagle. (Alabama State Parks)
Joe Songer
13. Wind Creek State Park-Reunion Trail
Wind Creek State Park Red Trail, known as the “Alabama Reunion Trail” is 3.8 miles long and classified as moderate to difficult. The trail traverses both hardwood bottoms and pine forestThe trail is marked by red blaze its entire length. There is an old homesite on the northern end. Hikers can ca an abundance of wildlife and beds of fern. (Alabama State Parks)