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 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.
Lakes, gators and getaways: Gulf State Park a great escape
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.
How to visit these gorgeous waterfalls
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.
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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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.
How Turkey Creek became one of the state’s favorite outdoors spots
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 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.
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.
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.
Officials reveal $13 million in renovations to Oak Mountain State Park
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
What Nate Oats called ‘a disaster’ in Alabama win over South Carolina
Alabama men’s basketball won somewhat comfortably against South Carolina.
Plenty went right in the 88-68 victory over the Gamecocks on Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina. Alabama shot 55%, outrebounded the Gamecocks, saw the bench outscore South Carolina 39-4 while scoring more points in the paint, fast break points and 3-pointers.
But there was something with which Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats was displeased.
Free throws.
“Would have been better if we made some free throws tonight,” Oats said. “That was a disaster for us. But everything else … It was good enough to win tonight.”
Alabama finished 10-for-20 (50%) from the charity stripe, which was the lowest total of the season so far. The previous low was 51.4% against Kent State late in December.
Not a mark Oats wants, but it didn’t make a difference in the game. All the other ways Alabama scored, particularly in the first half, made free throws a non-factor. As a result, No. 5 Alabama (13-2, 2-0 SEC) beat South Carolina (10-5, 0-2).
“First road game for us in the SEC,” Oats said. “I thought our guys answered the bell pretty well.”
The free throws might have been a disaster, but there was plenty else that Oats liked. That includes the defense, which limited South Carolina to .971 points per possession.
“I thought our defense was significantly better for the whole 40,” Oats said.
Oats specifically praised the efforts of Mo Dioubate. He finished plus-19 while matched up mainly against Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina’s leading scorer and a likely first-round NBA Draft pick.
“I thought Dioubate did a great job guarding him,” Oats said. “He really impacts the game in a big way,” Oats said.
Boyles-Murray tallied six points, four of which came from free throws, while finishing 1-for-6 from the field. He also had two turnovers.
“We got a lot of good efforts from a lot of people,” Oats said. “Good road win for us.”
Next up, Alabama will face No. 10 Texas A&M on the road on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN)
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
Alabama
Alabama Basketball Demolishes South Carolina in First SEC Road Game
No. 5 Alabama men’s basketball won its first SEC road test over South Carolina 88-68 on Wednesday evening in relatively easy fashion.
One big reason for this being a must-see matchup was due to the reunion with former Alabama and current South Carolina forward Nick Pringle, who was a part of the Crimson Tide’s Final Four run last season. Alabama head coach Nate Oats said during Tuesday’s press conference that like most players facing their former team, Pringle will likely tell the Gamecocks about the Tide’s play style to try and gain an advantage well ahead of tipoff.
However, this was not the case early as Alabama cruised to a commanding 45-28 halftime lead. Crimson Tide Preseason All-American guard Mark Sears quickly lived up to that status as he started the game 6-of-7, with 16 points including 4-of-4 on attempts from behind the arc.
Sears’ effort certainly rubbed off on the rest of the team in the first half as Alabama’s 60 percent from the field (18-of-30), including a 6-of-11 clip from downtown. In addition to 13 assists, the Tide also grabbed six offensive rebounds, which led to seven second-chance points, scored 22 points in the paint and recorded five steals and three blocks.
Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi and conference-leading three-time SEC Freshman of the Week Labaron Philon also had a very solid first half on both ends of the floor to help contribute to the massive lead.
The start to the second half was a bit slower for Alabama, as after a poor play, Oats took out the entire starting five. One of the replacements was guard Aden Holloway who scored seven straight points for Alabama to regain the Tide’s momentum and build a more comfortable 56-39 lead with 15 minutes to go in the second half.
The importance of depth played a role in this one as Holloway led Alabama to 36 bench points while the Gamecocks had four. Furthermore, South Carolina’s secondary group didn’t score a bench point until there were less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
From there on, both teams traded buckets, but Alabama’s tremendous start kept the Tide composed and Gamecocks unable to make a massive comeback. Even when Alabama had scoring droughts, its defense prevailed in making sure South Carolina didn’t chip away. Forward Grant Nelson played a key role here as Gamecocks forward Collin Murray-Boyles, SC’s leading scorer coming into the game, finished 1-of-6 from the field.
In short, Alabama’s first half was significantly better than the second, but the Crimson Tide’s defense in the latter portion of the night made the offensive performance not matter as much. Of course, consistency in both halves will be important for the rest of the gauntlet of an SEC slate.
Alabama improves to 13-2 (2-0 SEC) while South Carolina slides down to 10-5 (0-2 SEC).
Alabama
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