Alabama Tourism reveals 25 must-explore trails for the “Year of Alabama Trails”

Alabama Tourism Department officially launched the “Year of Alabama Trails” campaign today at Vulcan Park in Birmingham and unveiled the top 25 must-explore trails of the state.

This kicked off a 2025-2026 initiative to celebrate Alabama’s extensive trail systems and its positive impact on tourism, conservation, quality of life and economic development.

Continue reading to discover the 25 trails they unveiled at the event, along with a behind-the-scenes look at Alabama Tourism’s campaign at Vulcan Park.

Top 25 trails of 2025

Against the stunning backdrop of Birmingham’s skyline overlooking the Kiwanis-Vulcan Trail, officials revealed Alabama’s 25 must-explore trails for 2025. This initiative invites both residents and visitors to discover the trails that make Alabama an unbeatable outdoor destination.

North:

• Monte Sano State Park | Huntsville 
• Black Creek Trails | Gadsden 
• Chief Ladiga Trail | Cleburne + Calhoun Counties
• Coldwater Mountain Trails | Calhoun County
• Walls of Jericho | Stevenson 
• Richard Martin Rail Trail | Limestone County
• Sipsey Wilderness | Winston County
• Sunset Drive Trail | Marshall County

Central:

• Pinhoti Trail | Coosa, Talladega, Cleburne, Calhoun + Clay Counties
• Cheaha State Park | Clay County
• Cahaba Blueway | Jefferson, Bibb + Dallas Counties
• Hatchet Creek Canoe/Kayak Trail | Coosa County
• Red Rock Trail System | Jefferson County 
• Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve | Birmingham 
• Red Mountain Park | Birmingham
• Oak Mountain State Park | Shelby County
• Vulcan Trail | Birmingham

South:

• Yoholo Micco Trail | Eufaula
• Forever Wild Trails at Beaver Creek | Dothan
• Chewacla State Park Trails | Auburn
• Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trails | Tallapoosa County
• Black Belt Prairie Trails | Livingston

Coast:

• Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails | Orange Beach
• Perdido River Canoe Trail | Baldwin County
• Bartram Canoe Trail | Mobile + Baldwin Counties

Many of Alabama’s premier trails are located within its 21 state parks, spanning more than 250 miles and 48,000 acres from the Gulf Coast to the Appalachians.

Alabama wildlife lovers united at Vulcan Park

Alabama Tourism was joined by partners representing:

• Alabama Department of Conservation + Natural Resources (DCNR)
• Alabama Trails Foundation
• Freshwater Land Trust
• Innovate Alabama
• Rails to Trails Conservancy

Alabama’s “Year Of” campaigns have a proven track record of boosting tourism and the economy.

“For more than 20 years, our ‘Year Of’ campaigns have introduced visitors to the people, places and experiences that make Alabama unique. Trails offer one of the most immersive ways to explore our state—whether from the sea of a bike, the path beneath your boots or the pull of a paddle. This year, we’re inviting everyone to get outside and experience Alabama’s natural beauty in a way only our trails can provide.”

Lee Sentell, Alabama Tourism Director

For more information and upcoming events as the “Year of Alabama Trails” unfolds, visit the Alabama Trails Foundation’s website.

About Alabama Tourism

Alabama Tourism Department has won honors from:

• World Travel Market: London
• United States Travel Association
• National Council of State Tourism Directors
• Travel Weekly Magazine
• Southeast Tourism Society
• Southern Public Relations Federation
• American Advertising Federation

In 2024, Alabama’s tourism industry set a new record of nearly 29 million visitors—generating $24.2 billion in traveler spending.

Tourism remains one of Alabama’s largest economic drivers, supporting 245,000 jobs and contributing $4.3 billion directly to Alabama’s economy.

“When I meet people from outside the state, they are always so surprised that Alabama is so beautiful. To me, that is marching orders for us to spread the word and encourage people to come to our state.”

Lee Sentell, Alabama Tourism Director

For more information, visit Alabama Travel.

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