It's been said many times before, but it bears repeating: Alabama is truly blessed when it comes to the abundance of outdoor experiences available for all of us to enjoy, from the mountains and canyons in the north, to the rivers in the central region, to the pristine white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. When it comes to hiking and backpacking, Alabama has a little something for everybody.

Over the next few sections we will give you an overview of some of the great walking, hiking and backpacking trips in Alabama. Remember that the treks outlined here are only a fraction of the number of experiences awaiting you when you visit the state. After you've tackled this list we recommend that you contact the clubs, organizations and government agencies listed below for even more adventures.

Each listing in this guide has a classification to tell you what type of hike it is. We have broken this down into five groups. While they may seem cut and dry, many of the hikes described in this guide fall into multiple categories:

Backpacking
An extended hike, usually within a wilderness area, exceeding one day where you will need to carry everything you need on your back. Please contact the clubs and organizations listed in the "Additional Information" section of each hike for guidance on preparing for that particular journey.

Car Camping
Many of the hikes in this guide are within parks that allow camping. If you're not familiar with car camping, we're not talking camping IN your car. This is the term used for parking your car, bringing camping gear along, and pitching your tent in the park. Many parks in the state offer improved campsites with water and electricity.

Day Hike
Anything over 1 mile in length that would take over an hour to walk. Usually a dirt footpath located in a forest.

Rails-to-Trails
A wonderful project that converts abandoned railroad beds into walking paths. Unless otherwise noted, all Rails-to-Trails paths are open to nonmotorized vehicles; many times that includes equestrians. The paths are often paved but can also be dirt footing or the gravel of the original railroad bed.

Walking Path
Usually less than .5 mile in length. These are usually short nature trails or walks to an overlook and are usually paved with asphalt, stones or cement.

Waterfalls
This will indicate if any waterfalls will be seen along the route.

When it comes to hiking in Alabama, while many will tout the state as a year-round hiking destination, the summer months can be a tough walk with high heat and humidity. If you plan on hiking in the summer, plan a trip around some of the cooler areas such as Dismals Canyon, where the temperatures drop 14 degrees on average during the summer, or along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. In any case, bring plenty of water.

Fall through spring are fantastic times to hike Alabama. The fall colors are as bright as any in New England; winter and spring rains fill the creeks and rivers, creating a water spectacle in our many waterfalls; wildflowers and rare plants bloom in vibrant colors, filling your senses with not only dazzling color but wonderful fragrances as well. And no matter what time of year you hike Alabama or where you go, there is always deep underlying history and a story to be told on each and every hike, from the Native Americans who lived in this region as far back as 10,000 years ago, to the settlements of the early Europeans, to the Civil War, to the Civil Rights. History is around every corner.

When you hike Alabama, always remember to carry along the essentials, even on a seemingly short hike. Bring plenty of water and something to eat. Once again, for overnight backpacking trips, special equipment is required, and we suggest you contact one of the clubs or organizations below for information. Please be sure to keep safety first. While hiking Alabama is beautiful, serious injury can occur in any outdoor activity. Please read all safety information posted at each trail location before setting foot on the path.

Remember, hunting is allowed in the national and state forests of Alabama in the fall and winter. Before heading out contact the ranger office in the region you plan to visit for information on special restrictions and permits that you may need. The maps presented in this guide are overviews of the suggested hikes to give you a general idea of what to expect. We suggest that you refer to the "Additional Information" section in each hike for details on how you can obtain a detailed map of the trip.

References - Clubs, Organizations, Government Agencies to contact for more information:

Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club
Alabama Environmental Council
Alabama Forestry Commission (334) 240-9300
Alabama Hiking Trail Society (334) 244-1579
Alabama Trails Association (205) 678-0428
Anniston Outdoor Association (256) 231-7675
Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama
Forever Wild
Horn Mountain Trail Club
Jacksonville State University
Nature Conservancy
Sipsey Wilderness Hiking Club
Trail of Legends (334) 277-1661
U.S. Forest Service (334) 832-4470
Vulcan Trail Association

Guides to Hiking Alabama:
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Birmingham by Russell Helms (Menasha Ridge Press)
Hiking Alabama (2nd Edition) by Joe Cuhaj (Falcon Books)
Alabama Trails by Patricia Sharpe (University of Alabama Press)

Health Benefits

Beautiful sunsets, woodlands and animals can all be found while hiking. Hiking is wonderful exercise. When you hike for 45 minutes, you burn 350 calories. Be sure to bring water and healthy snacks such as apple slices, dried cranberries and nuts.

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The Year Of Outdoor Alabama
©2006 Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel - Official Web Site
©2006 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Official Web Site