Walls of Jericho

Awe-inspiring; breathtaking; magnificent.

Just some of the words used to describe the Walls of Jericho. Not the "Walls" in the biblical sense but in hiking lore.

Straddling the Alabama-Tennessee state line, this 21,453-acre property was in private hands for many years, with hikers hearing only stories about the wonders within its boundaries. Recently through the efforts of the Nature Conservancy and Alabama's Forever Wild Program, the Walls were reopened to the public and the legends are true – the hiking is spectacular, and according to Forever Wild, on a nice day over 300 people will visit the Walls.

The Walls of Jericho is a water spectacular. The hike into the limestone gorge includes fording the clear mountain waters of Hurricane Creek and culminates as Turkey Creek forms a beautiful cascade into "The Bowl" where it tumbles into an icy blue pool. Appropriately enough, baptisms were once held here. The water funnels through the rocks and shoots out in plumes down the limestone canyon walls in a spectacular show.

The main reason the Walls was protected is not only because of great hiking, but also for the wildlife found here in the Upper Paint Rock River watershed. Over 100 species of fish and 45 species of mussels, many on the endangered list, can be found here. And the Walls of Jericho is a paradise for birders, wildflower watchers and photographers.

Remember that this is a strenuous hike. It is easy into the gorge but a tough out. (You have to hike back uphill.) And a word about safety: The Walls are prone to flash flooding! Don’t venture out during or after heavy rain.

Bring plenty of water, lunch and snacks. It’s a FULL day hike but so worth it!

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Trail Type:

7-mile out-and-back

Difficulty:

Strenuous

Hours:

Open year-round.

Maps:

Available online at the Forever Wild Web site.

Fees:

No fee to hike.

Events:

Various nature experts will lead groups into this Forever Wild protected area on the following Saturdays:

March 24, 2007 The first hike will be led by Dr. Jim Lacefield, author of “Lost Worlds of Alabama. Rocks: A Guide to the State’s Ancient Life and Landscapes.” The hike begins at 10:00 a.m.

April 14, 2007 The Huntsville Wildflower Society will lead a hike beginning at 9:00 a.m.

April 28, 2007 Dr. Wayne Barger, a botanist with the AL Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will lead a wildflower hike beginning at 10:00 a.m.

May 12, 2007 Nick Sharp, a land stewardship officer with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will lead a hike focusing on the natural and human history of The Walls of Jericho beginning at 10:00 a.m.

May 19, 2007 Eric Soehren, a terrestrial zoologist with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will lead a hike in search of songbirds beginning at 10:00 a.m.

These five-hour hikes include massive rock formations, native flora and rushing streams. They are strenuous, six-mile round trips on well marked hiking trails. The hikes involve a 1,000-foot elevation change. Hikers should bring a sack lunch and plenty of water.

Directions: From U.S. Highway 72 just west of Scottsboro and east of Huntsville, turn north on Alabama 79 and drive about 25 miles, through the town of Hytop. The hiker’s parking lot is on the left just after the horse trail parking lot.

Please call Jackson County Tourism at 256-259-5500 or 800-259-5508 if you have questions.