Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
Alabama is undergoing a trails renaissance—find out how
ByPat Byington
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Did you know Alabama is home to one of the best recreational trails in America?
Throughout the year, USA Today runs national contests called the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
They pick a topic, such as the best shops, landmarks, parks, bars, restaurants, botanical gardens or roadside attractions across the country. No topic is off-limits. They then ask experts in the field to choose a top 20 list and ask their readers to vote for the best.
Alabama trail named the best in the U.S
In 2023, a 29-mile Baldwin County trail at Gulf State Park called the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail not only made USA Today’s top 20 list—it won the 2023 national contest for the Best Recreational Trail in the U.S.
This spring, USA Today allowed the Alabama trail to defend its title. And to many folks’ surprise, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail won the national vote again and was crowned the champion.
Why does this matter? This particular trail and countless others around Alabama are emblematic of the explosive growth and popularity of Alabama’s trails.
In this three-part series about Alabama trails, we are going to take a look at Alabama’s ever-expanding trail movement, why it matters and how you can get involved.
Join us.
Alabama’s trail system is a cooperative effort
It can’t be overstated. The development and establishment of trails, whether on land or on a river, takes years. It’s a journey—the ultimate project of cooperation.
Each trail involves connecting with local city and neighborhood leaders, businesses, conservationists, health officials and, most importantly, the local community.
For example, one of the things that makes Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail special is the partnership between the state and the towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Established two decades ago, you’ll discover nine distinct ecosystems, including:
- Longleaf sand ridges
- Coastal dunes
- Live oak maritime forests
- Pine flatwoods
- Freshwater marshes
- Coastal hardwood swamps
The pathways can be used by walkers, runners and cyclists. Many are also universally designed and accessible for people with disabilities.
In an interview with Bham Now, Graham Sisson, chair of the Alabama Trails Commission, summed up the current state of the trails movement in Alabama.
“There’s a lot of excitement out there and it’s very positive. We’re seeing more collaboration and more entities working together to create the ultimate trail system for Alabama.”
Graham Sisson, Chair, Alabama Trails Commission
Sisson and his fellow commissioners should know. Since 2010, through an act of the state legislature, the Commission has been empowered to develop a state trails plan and support the Alabama Trails System including;
- Conservation corridors
- Freshwater + saltwater paddling
- Recreational corridors
- Scenic corridors
- Regional parks and preserves, ecological sites, and cultural/historic/recreational sites using land-based trails that connect urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state
Amid a trail renaissance in Alabama
Alabama is in the midst of a trail renaissance. Not a month goes by without a trail groundbreaking or ribbon cutting somewhere within the four corners of the state.
Projects vary from a simple neighborhood trail in Birmingham to the reopening of the Flagg Mountain Fire Tower in Coosa County.
Below is a list and short description of some of the most prominent projects occurring throughout the state.
Pinhoti Trail—Flag Mountain
The Pinhoti National Recreation Trail—one of the top backcountry hiking trails in the country—stretches 171 miles from Coosa County to Cherokee County and continues into Georgia before connecting with the Appalachian Trail, one of the most famous trails in the world. Back in 2023, the Flagg Mountain Fire Tower was reopened by the Alabama Forestry Commission
Chief Ladiga—Rail to Trails from Anniston to Atlanta
The Chief Ladiga Trail is Alabama’s longest rail-to-trail—a pathway built on an old railroad bed. Beginning in Anniston, Alabama and continuing to the Alabama-Georgia state line, Chief Ladiga merges into Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail at the border.
Combined, the Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet make up one of the longest paved pedestrian paths in the nation. This spring, the city of Anniston broke ground on the final 6.5 miles of the trail to Anniston’s Multimodal Amtrak Station. Once completed the Chief Ladiga Trail section will be 39.5 miles long and the entire Chief Ladiga/Silver Comet rail to trail will reach 105 miles. The Chief Ladiga extension is slated to be finished in the Summer of 2025.
Red Rock Trail System in Jefferson County—every one mile from a trail
It has always been the mission of the Freshwater Land Trust (FLT) to bring a trail or greenspace to within one mile of every home in Jefferson County. With the release of the new Red Rock Action Plan in August 2023, the group now has a pathway to reach that ambitious goal over the next 15 years.
Tennessee Riverline Paddling Trail
A trail that stretches along the Tennessee River from Knoxville, Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky—652 miles—Tennessee Riverline has already enlisted the cooperation of six Alabama river towns.
- Bridgeport
- Decatur
- Guntersville
- Huntsville
- Jackson County
- Shoals
Singing River Trail
The Singing River Trail is a new dynamic 230-mile greenway system that winds its way across North Alabama from Sheffield to Bridgeport. More than a walking trail, the Singing River Trail organization focuses on wellness, tourism and economic development initiatives.
It also connects with several adjacent trail systems across the region, including TVA lands, Guntersville State Park and the Land Trust of North Alabama.
Alabama Scenic River Trail
Home to the Great Alabama 650 Paddle Race, the longest paddle race in the U.S., the original Alabama Scenic River Trail begins at the Alabama-Georgia state line near Weiss Lake on the Coosa River and ends in the Gulf at Fort Morgan. Today, the organization stewards more than 6000 miles of river within the state.
Selma to Montgomery March Route
According to Brian Rushing with The University of Alabama, there are discussions to make portions of the 54-mile Selma to Montgomery Historic Trail walkable. In 2024, the trail received $36 million in trailhead and path upgrades.
World-class mountain bike trails at Oak Mountain, on Coldwater Mountain and in Dothan
Mountain bike trails at Oak Mountain State Park and Forever Wild’s Coldwater Mountain near Anniston are recognized by the International Mountain Biking Association as two of the best mountain biking in the Southeast.
In Dothan, the Forever Wild Trails are being turned into a mountain biker’s paradise.
Many more projects in countless communities
Check out these additional projects:
- Alabama State Lands Canoe Trails
- Alabama State Park Trails – Monte Sano, Oak Mountain, Chewacla State Parks and more
- Alabama Trails Commission Trail Website — Statewide list for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and much more
- Cahaba Blueway
- Lake LU and Nature Trails
- Land Trust of North Alabama Trail System
Be sure to visit the AllTrails.com website which lists trails within Alabama’s national forests, state parks, nature preserves and land trust lands.
Next up: Getting serious about trails in Alabama
In our next installment, we are going to learn about one famous Alabamian who has helped supercharge the trails movement. We will also examine why trails are the key to a healthier Alabama.
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