The Pinhoti National Recreation Trail has a new southern terminus as the trail is officially connected to Flagg Mountain.

New renovations have been made to the historic fire tower atop the mountain, giving visitors a spot to rest, explore and learn during their treks.

Officials from the Alabama Trails Foundation, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Tourism Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month to unveil those renovations.

“From the beginning at Flagg Mountain, the Pinhoti traverses adjacent Forever Wild property, passes through Cheaha State Park, and continues through some breathtaking parts of Alabama to the Indian Mountain Forever Wild Property near the Georgia line. It is truly a special trail and the most recognizable long trail in Alabama.”
Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner

The Alabama portion of the Pinhoti Trail is a 171-mile trail system that provides hikers access to different natural wonders across the state, retracing routes taken by Native Americans and early settlers.

The fire tower at Flagg Mountain now officially marks the start of that trail system.

“The exciting part is we’re celebrating the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama. We consider it the gateway to the Appalachian Mountains, starting right there at Flagg Mountain in Coosa County, Alabama. The Alabama Pinhoti goes through Coosa, Talladega, Calhoun and Cleburne counties and ends just across the line in Georgia.

“We put a brass marker down (at Flagg Mountain) that reads 0.0. The Appalachian Trail officially starts at Springer Mountain in Georgia, but if you really want to hike all the way to Maine, you’ve got to start in Alabama, and that’s what we’re excited about.”
Paul DeMarco, Alabama Trails Foundation President

Flagg Mountain Fire Tower

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Flagg Mountain stone tower in the 1930s, used to look for fires breaking out in the national forest.

The tower construction included 3-foot-thick stone walls at the base and 2-foot walls all the way to the observation room. The tower was listed on the National Historic Lookout Register in 1998.

The Forestry Commission has been renovating the tower and surrounding structures for the past several years, allowing visitors to climb the tower stairs to catch a panoramic view of Alabama’s beautiful Appalachian foothills.

“Great progress has been made at Flagg Mountain over the last few years, and we could not have accomplished any of it without the assistance of our partners. These partnerships are a treasured connection, illuminating the incredible successes that can be achieved when working together for a better Alabama. We encourage not only avid hikers, but also outdoor enthusiasts to embark on exciting adventures right here on the peak of beautiful Flagg Mountain. We are proud to help make this historic resource accessible to the public.”
Rick Oates, State Forester with the Alabama Forestry Commission

Flagg Mountain is located in the Weogufka State Forest and managed by the Alabama Forestry Commission. Weogufka State Forest is home to some of the state’s few remaining old longleaf pine forests.

“By preserving this historic structure on Flagg Mountain and formally linking it to the Pinhoti Trail, we are creating a world-class destination that will attract hikers and nature lovers from across the country while providing a better experience that all Alabamians can enjoy.”
Paul DeMarco, Alabama Trails Foundation President