Cycling - Road Route - Lake Guntersville State Park Out-and-Back

One reason to visit Guntersville is to stay at Lake Guntersville State Park. While known for its beaches, hiking and boating, the State Park is a popular meeting point for local road bikers to start an easily navigated out-and-back ride that skirts the southern shore of Lake Guntersville for nearly 25 miles all the way to Scottsboro. The road is lightly traveled as it swings in and out of the hills and through the low backwaters at the edge of the lake. It is as scenic as it is challenging. Riders can really amp up the challenge by detouring to Jackson County Road 38 at Langston Gap. By adding on this 21-mile loop to the top end of the route, you can add in a stiff 1.4-mile climb up Sand Mountain.

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Skill Level:

Intermediate/Advanced – The route is extremely easy to navigate from the state park. The length of the ride, 49 miles, pushes the skill level up to intermediate. Taking the hill option up Langston Gap puts this ride up to the advanced level. The climb is quite steep with two big switchbacks.

Variations:

To take the Climbing Option, turn right onto Jackson County 38 at 15.3. In 2 miles after the climb, take the first left onto CR 265. Follow CR 265 for 4.9 miles until it becomes CR 65/Bluff Road. In .9 mile, Bluff Road intercepts CR 43/Main Street in Section AL. CR 43 meets AL 35 in .6 mi. Turn Left onto AL 35. At the bottom of the descent in 4 miles, turn left onto Jackson CR 67. Follow 67 all the way back into Marshall County and back to Lake Guntersville State Park.

Afterward:

As a lake resort town, Guntersville offers many dining opportunities not found in other towns this size. There are many dining options along Gunter Avenue/US 431. It is possible to ride your bike right up to any of the establishments around the historic square in downtown.

Squig’s BBQ – 3633 Highway 227 (East of the causeway on the way to Lake Guntersville State Park, near Goldkist Plant), 256-582-8857. Open for lunch and dinner.
Covington’s Café – 524 Gunter Avenue (US 431), 256-582-5377. Open for lunch. Sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts.
Two Brothers Philly Cheese Steak and Pizza – 373 Gunter Avenue, 256-571-0109. Open for lunch and dinner.
Crawmama’s – 5002 Webb Villa (near Guntersville High School), 256-582-0484. Seafood, steaks, gumbo, crawfish. Open for lunch and dinner.
Death by Chocolate – 2328 Taylor Street (on the courthouse square), 256-582-3557. Espresso and gourmet coffee, desserts and confections. Open 7 a.m., M-Thu. Lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Char-Burger - 3848 AL Highway 69 (west of the causeway, at Gunter Mountain Road), 256-582-3502.

Notes:

There are at least two stores on the outbound trip, so there are at least four opportunities to stop, if needed. The Langston Gap Climbing option allows the option of stopping at a store in Section.

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Contact any of the following for additional information:

Lake Guntersville State Park: Street Address:
7966 AL Hwy. 227
Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone#:(256) 571 - 5444
www.alapark.com
Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau: Street Address:
200 Gunter Avenue
Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone#:(800) 869 - LAKE
www.marshallcountycvb.com