Alabama
Alabama hiking trails to explore
From state and national parks to preserves, national forests and more, Alabama is filled with places to enjoy the state’s natural beauty. Sometimes though, that can make deciding where to spend a day exploring the great outdoors.
Whether you’re looking for a short stroll down a boardwalk, an easy, but long, loop with plenty of sights along the way or an all-day hike that’ll take you through diverse terrain, there’s a hiking trail in Alabama that has you covered.
The 10 hiking trails listed below are certainly not the only ones, but they’re a good place to start.
The miles of multi-use paths at Gulf State Park include raised boardwalk sections that allow visitors to go deep into the marshy coastal landscape.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail at Gulf State Park
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf State Park has been named one of the best recreational trails in the United States by USA Today, and for good reason. Accessible through multiple trailheads within the park and open to biking, the fully ADA-accessible trail runs through everything from coastal dunes, forests, freshwater marshes, hardwood swamps and more, according to GulfShores.com. There is also a butterfly garden, nature pavilion and playground where kids can test their rocking climbing skills or give the agility course a go.
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Autumn color 2021. The beauty and splendor of autumn in Alabama. Little River Canyon National Preserve. (Joe Songer for AL.com).Joe Songer
The Little Falls Trail in Little River Canyon National Preserve
The Little Falls Trail in Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne is popular among hikers because it offers a chance to end the hike with a swim, and who doesn’t want that? The .75-mile hike, which is moderate in difficulty, begins along the Little River Falls boardwalk, following the river to Little Falls, according to the National Park Service’s website. At the trail’s end, hikers can take stone steps into the canyon and down to the river to access what’s known as the Little Falls swimming hole. Be aware though, this trail is popular during spring and summer, so if you’re looking for a quiet hike, you may want to take an easy and peaceful walk through the woods on the Beaver Pond Trail instead.
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Walls of Jericho is one of the largest pieces of mostly untouched wilderness in the Southeast.Hannah Sumner/Forever Wild
Walls of Jericho Trail at the Walls of Jericho
Walls of Jericho in northeast Alabama is one of the largest pieces of mostly untouched wilderness in the Southeast, according to the Forever Wild website, making it an ideal place for immersing yourself in nature. The popular Walls of Jericho trail, which is six miles roundtrip and takes you for a strenuous hike along Hurricane Creek and more than 1,000 feet down into a box canyon that leads through Clark Cemetery and into a scenic limestone amphitheater with Turkey Creek flowing through its center. If you’re looking for something a little easier, there’s also the Bear Den Point Trail, which runs nearly five miles through Bear Den Point and offers some memorable views of its own.
Lake Guntersville State Park has 36 miles of hiking trails through some of the most beautiful forest in Alabama. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com). al.comal.com
Cascade Trail at Lake Guntersville State Park
Lake Guntersville State Park offers 36 miles of trails, ranging from moderate to difficult, for hikers, bikers and horse enthusiasts to enjoy. Among the many hikes up for exploring is the Cascade Trail, which is a one-mile, moderate trail that offers scenic views and takes hikers through a natural watershed with large boulders, pools of water, cliffs and more, according to the Alabama State Park’s website. The Cascade Trail begins just beside the park’s entrance and, if you want to extend your journey, links up with several other trails, like the Waterfall Trail as well as the Old Still Path, in the park.
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Turkey Creek Nature Preserve near Pinson. (Joe Songer)al.com
Narrow Ridge Loop Trail at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Along with gorgeous waterfalls and perfect spots for picnics, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson offers a system of five trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate, that run through the 462-acre preserve. Among its trails is the Narrow Ridge Loop Trail, which is open to hikers as well as mountain bikers. The 3.2-mile path takes you from the Blue Hole, a well-known, waterfall-fed swimming hole, to the Narrow Ridge area, through pine forests and back, according to the Alabama Recreation Trails website. Keep in mind though, this trail is moderate in difficulty, so if you’d prefer an easier route, try the paved Highland Trail or the Thompson Trace Trail.
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Autumn color 2021. The beauty and splendor of autumn in Alabama. Point Rock Overlook at Buck’s Pocket State Park. (Joe Songer for AL.com).Joe Songer
Point Rock Trail at Bucks Point State Park
Bucks Pocket State Park is located within the DeKalb, Jackson and Marshall counties, offering hikers a secluded and peaceful place to enjoy the state’s natural beauty, picturesque views and more. Among its 15 miles of trails is the moderate-to-hard Point Rock Trail, which runs a little over a mile in length and takes hikers 800 feet above the canyon floor to a sandstone formation, known as Point Rock, which offers an overlook worth the climb, according to the Alabama State Park’s website. Along the way, you’ll see Little Sauty Creek, wildflowers, ferns and other plant life as well as geologic formations estimated to be between 200-250 million years old.
Bald Rock overlook is a must-see place at Cheaha State Park. (Joe Songer)al.com
Bald Rock Trail at Cheaha State Park
If you’re looking for a quick and easy hike with a big payoff, the Bald Rock Trail at Cheaha State Park in Delta is the way to go. The .3-mile trail consists of two paths, an elevated boardwalk and a dirt path that runs alongside it. Regardless of which you take, both lead to a gorgeous vista of the highest point in Alabama at the Bald Rock outlook, according to the Alabama State Parks website. If you’re feeling inspired once you’re done there, you can also check out the Pulpit Rock Trail. It’s just as short, although a steeper hike with no boardwalk, and also offers a breathtaking view you won’t forget anytime soon.
Check out the view of the west fork of the Choctawhatchee River. The water from the springs flows into it. (Joe Songer)Joe Songer/AL.com
The Magnolia Trail at Blue Springs State Park
Blue Spring State Park in Clio is well known for its crystal-clear swimming pools, pine forests, wide range of wildlife and more, making it a great place to get in a hike regardless of your experience level. That’s likely why the Magnolia Trail, a two-mile hiking trail that ranges from easy to moderate in difficulty, is so popular. The trail, which takes you through a lush forest and features scenic views of the Choctawhatchee River, can be extended another half mile by using two connector trails, according to the Alabama State Park’s website. Just think! You could spend some time exploring the scenery along the trail before going for a dip in the 68-degree, spring-fed pool.
Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham is a favorite with hikers and people who want to get some fresh air. (AL.com file photo/Joe Songer)
Foothills Trail at Oak Mountain State Park
Oak Mountain State Park has more than 100 miles of trails for visitors to explore, regardless of whether they’re looking to do a quick loop or get in a full day of hiking. Among one of its longer options is the Foothills Trail, which is about eight miles one way, beginning at the North Trailhead before taking you around scenic Lake Tranquility and close to the South Trailhead area, according to the Alabama State Park’s website. Be aware, while a large portion of this trail is at a low elevation, there are some climbs. You can also access Maggie’s Glen, a spot along the stream blank that’s known as a peaceful spot to sit and observe different plants and wildlife, through a connector to this trail.
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The Talladega National Forest (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com) AL.comAL.com
The Odum Scout Hiking Trail at Talladega National Forest
The Talladega National Forest is home to beautiful waterfalls, scenic lakes and plenty of untamed wilderness. Among to the trails you can take within the forest is the Odum Scout Hiking Trail. The nearly eight-mile trail, considered moderate in difficulty, takes you through the eastern slopes of Talladega Mountain and into the Cheaha Wilderness, passing the High Falls waterfall and other sites along the way. If you’re looking for something shorter where you could also get in some fishing or a picnic, try the two-mile loop around Lake Chinnabee.
Alabama
Deputies: Alabama teen arrested for threatening to kill student in Walton County
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old from Florala, Alabama, was arrested after making threats to kill another student on social media.
On Friday morning, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said the student posted a picture of a gun online.
It was captioned with a targeted threat involving a student at Paxton School. The 16-year-old who attends the school made the threat.
They were taken into custody before school started.
Alabama
By The Numbers, Alabama A-Day 2026
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football scrimmaged inside Bryant-Denny Stadium for its annual A-Day spring football finale on Saturday. The Crimson Tide spent two hours with the offense and defense fighting for dominance in the April sun.
The afternoon wasn’t exactly a game, but looked more like real football than the 2025 A-Day and therefore gave fans and pundits quality content to evaluate.
“I thought the guys competed again,” Kalen DeBoer said. “It’s a unique situation with our practices, two of them still being next week, so we’re not done yet. Get back to work Tuesday and Thursday, still got a lot of opportunities to get better, a lot of situational that we can get to. But it was a good back and forth, much like many of the other scrimmages; you can see how we orchestrate it with the ball where we spot it. There’s some advantages the offense gets towards the end. We’ve got to get that red zone work in, but there’s a lot of things to learn, a lot of situational stuff that we can get better at.”
Disclaimer: These statistics were taken by hand and therefore not official
Passing
- Keelon Russell: 21-33, 242 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
- Austin Mack: 6-12, 101 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Jett Thomalla: 4-5, 44 yards
- Tayden-Evan Kaawaa: 4-5, 37 yards
Rushing
- Kevin Riley: 10 carries, 12 yards
- Daniel Hill: 10 carries, 31 yards
- AK Dear: 4 carries, 2 yards
- Trae’Shawn Brown: 6 carries, 19 yards
- Khalifa Keith: 1 carry
Receiving
- Derek Meadows: 9 Targets, 5 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
- Cederian Morgan: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD
- Ryan Williams: 3 targets, 3 receptions 60 yards
- Trae’Shawn Brown: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 50 yards
- Lotzeir Brooks: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 15 yards, 2 TDs
- Marshall Pritchett: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards, 1 TD
- Tyler Henderson: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards
- Rico Scott: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
- Jay Lindsey: 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
- AK Dear: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
- Kevin Riley: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
- Kaleb Edwards: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards
- Maurice Mathis Jr.: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
- Mack Sutter: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
- Daniel Hill: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
- Noah Rogers: 2 targets
- Josh Ford: 1 target
Defense
- Ivan Taylor: 6 tackles
- Luke Metz: 4 tackles, sack, 2 TFL
- Red Morgan: 4 tackles, 1 PBU
- Caleb Woodson: 4 tackles
- Justin Hill: 4 tackles, 2 TFL
- Carmelo O’Neal: 4 tackles
- Cayden Jones: 3 tackles
- Jorden Edmunds: 3 tackles, 2 PBU
- Keon Sabb: 3 tackles
- Dijon Lee: 3 tackles, 1 INT
- Zavier Mincey: 3 tackles
- Duke Johnson: 3 tackles, 1 TFL
- Jireh Edwards: 2 tackles, 1 PBU
- Kendrick Bingley-Jones: 2 tackles, 2 TFL
- Mahri Johnson: 2 tackles, sack
- Abduall Sanders: 2 tackles
- Terrence Green: 2 tackles, 1 PBU
- Brody McCutcheon: 2 tackles, sack
- Jake Ivie: 2 tackles
- Yhonzae Pierre: 1 tackle
- Devan Thompkins: 1 tackle
- Xavier Griffin: 1 tackle
- Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.: 1 tackle, 1 INT
- Walter Sansing: 1 tackle
- Zay Hall: 1 tackle
- Jamarion Matthews: 1 tackle
- Grant Johnson: 1 tackle
- Griffin Hanson: 1 tackle
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Alabama
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