Here in Alabama, many of us enjoy hiking. However, we sometimes just don’t have the time to explore our state’s many amazing trails. Fortunately, there are several low-key hikes located throughout Alabama that anyone can do in a timely fashion. Also, many of these hikes have amazing payoffs at the end, such as waterfalls, scenic views, etc! Listed here are seven of the best hikes in Alabama that have the most amazing payoffs at the end. Don’t forget to add them to your outdoor bucket list:
- Pulpit Rock Trail — Cheaha State Park
Brady Bauer/AllTrails Pulpit Rock Trail, which is located in Cheaha State Park, is a 0.6-mile out and back trail that leads to an overlook with a spectacular view. It’s accessible year-round and is a wonderful hike for the entire family. Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
- Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail — Dadeville
Lauren B/AllTrails The Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail is a 0.7-mile loop trail that’s located near Dadeville, Alabama. It leads to an 80-foot tower that offers an incredible view of Lake Martin, which is one of America’s largest man-made lakes. Dadeville, AL, USA
- Vulcan Trail — Lane Park
Ace Mauldin/AllTrails Vulcan Trail is a moderately-rated, 1.7-mile trail that’s located in Birmingham, Alabama. At the end of the trail, hikers will experience a great view of the city’s skyline. Learn more about Alabama’s Vulcan Trail on AllTrails. Lane Park Road, Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Green Trail — Oak Mountain State Park
Rob Shaw/AllTrails The Green Trail, which is best known as the Peavine Falls Trail, is located in Oak Mountain State Park. This 1.6-mile loop trail is great for most skill levels and leads to a beautiful spring-fed waterfall. Now that we think about it, ALL the trails at Oak Mountain State Park are good trails. Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
- Russell Cave Trail — Bridgeport
David Brown/AllTrails Russell Cave Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail that’s located in Bridgeport, Alabama. It leads to Russell Cave, which is believed to have been inhabited by Native Americans from 10,000 B.C. to 1650 A.D. Today, Russell Cave is best known as Russell Cave National Monument, and it’s open year-round. Russell Cave National Monument, 3729 Co Rd 98, Bridgeport, AL 35740, USA
- Doug Ghee Accessible Trail — Cheaha State Park
Karen Barrick/AllTrails The Doug Ghee Accessible Trail is located in Cheaha State Park — Alabama’s oldest continuously-operated state park. Measuring a distance of 1/4 mile, it’s one of the state’s shortest trails. This short and easy boardwalk trail leads to the Bald Rock Overlook, which offers one of Alabama’s most magnificent views. Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
- Falling Rock Falls Hike — Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Garrett Johnson/AllTrails Alabama’s Falling Rock Falls Hike is located within the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a 1.8-mile out and back trail that leads to a waterfall. Because it has an easy rating, it’s the perfect hike for all skill levels. Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, 3WXQ+6MJ, West Blocton, AL 35184, USA
Have you ever hiked any of these Alabama trails? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments! For a list of more short trails in Alabama that are worth a hike, you’ll want to take a look at our previous article in 9 Amazing Alabama Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love.
Brady Bauer/AllTrails
Pulpit Rock Trail, which is located in Cheaha State Park, is a 0.6-mile out and back trail that leads to an overlook with a spectacular view. It’s accessible year-round and is a wonderful hike for the entire family.
Cheaha State Park, 19644 AL-281, Delta, AL 36258, USA
Lauren B/AllTrails
The Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail is a 0.7-mile loop trail that’s located near Dadeville, Alabama. It leads to an 80-foot tower that offers an incredible view of Lake Martin, which is one of America’s largest man-made lakes.
Dadeville, AL, USA
Ace Mauldin/AllTrails
Vulcan Trail is a moderately-rated, 1.7-mile trail that’s located in Birmingham, Alabama. At the end of the trail, hikers will experience a great view of the city’s skyline. Learn more about Alabama’s Vulcan Trail on AllTrails.
Lane Park Road, Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL, USA
Rob Shaw/AllTrails
The Green Trail, which is best known as the Peavine Falls Trail, is located in Oak Mountain State Park. This 1.6-mile loop trail is great for most skill levels and leads to a beautiful spring-fed waterfall. Now that we think about it, ALL the trails at Oak Mountain State Park are good trails.
Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Dr, Pelham, AL 35124, USA
David Brown/AllTrails
Russell Cave Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail that’s located in Bridgeport, Alabama. It leads to Russell Cave, which is believed to have been inhabited by Native Americans from 10,000 B.C. to 1650 A.D. Today, Russell Cave is best known as Russell Cave National Monument, and it’s open year-round.
Russell Cave National Monument, 3729 Co Rd 98, Bridgeport, AL 35740, USA
Karen Barrick/AllTrails
The Doug Ghee Accessible Trail is located in Cheaha State Park — Alabama’s oldest continuously-operated state park. Measuring a distance of 1/4 mile, it’s one of the state’s shortest trails. This short and easy boardwalk trail leads to the Bald Rock Overlook, which offers one of Alabama’s most magnificent views.
Garrett Johnson/AllTrails
Alabama’s Falling Rock Falls Hike is located within the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a 1.8-mile out and back trail that leads to a waterfall. Because it has an easy rating, it’s the perfect hike for all skill levels.
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, 3WXQ+6MJ, West Blocton, AL 35184, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Alabama March 07, 2022 Tori Jane What are some great kid-friendly hikes around Alabama? For the purposes of this question, we’ll define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not just rated as “easy”; it’s also under two miles long and highly recommended among others who have attempted the trek with small ones. That being said, there are more than 300 awesome hikes around Alabama that fit the bill perfectly. For example, should you find yourself at or nearby the Little River Canyon Nature Preserve, be sure to check out the awesome Little River Canyon Trail, which is 1.4 miles long and features amazing natural wonders like canyons, cliffs, and waterfalls. Another waterfall hike great for kids is the Falling Rock Falls Hike, a 1.8-mile adventure leading to an awe-inspiring 90-foot waterfall. The Doug Ghee Bald Rock Boardwalk hike is easy, enjoyable, and very scenic, offering great views at the end of Bald Rock. Finally, head to Lane Park and do the Vulcan Trail, which is 1.7 easy miles of lush, green amazingness sure to spark the kids’ imaginations. What are some of the best scenic hikes in Alabama? With 800 or more hikes to choose from, the majority of Alabama is already pretty scenic, but some trails tend to go above and beyond in terms of awe-inspiring scenery. Some of our favorites include delightful mountain hikes like the Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail, which is found at Rainbow Mountain (obviously) and features one-and-a-half miles of outcroppings and wildflowers (depending on the time of year). Other favorites include the DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop, the Lake Lurleen State Park-Dam Trail, and the Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail. For more information on several of the mentioned hikes and then some, check out this list of eight of the best mountain hikes in Alabama. There, you’ll find the perfect little list of ideas to jump-start planning your Alabama hiking adventure.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Alabama
March 07, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some great kid-friendly hikes around Alabama? For the purposes of this question, we’ll define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not just rated as “easy”; it’s also under two miles long and highly recommended among others who have attempted the trek with small ones. That being said, there are more than 300 awesome hikes around Alabama that fit the bill perfectly. For example, should you find yourself at or nearby the Little River Canyon Nature Preserve, be sure to check out the awesome Little River Canyon Trail, which is 1.4 miles long and features amazing natural wonders like canyons, cliffs, and waterfalls. Another waterfall hike great for kids is the Falling Rock Falls Hike, a 1.8-mile adventure leading to an awe-inspiring 90-foot waterfall. The Doug Ghee Bald Rock Boardwalk hike is easy, enjoyable, and very scenic, offering great views at the end of Bald Rock. Finally, head to Lane Park and do the Vulcan Trail, which is 1.7 easy miles of lush, green amazingness sure to spark the kids’ imaginations. What are some of the best scenic hikes in Alabama? With 800 or more hikes to choose from, the majority of Alabama is already pretty scenic, but some trails tend to go above and beyond in terms of awe-inspiring scenery. Some of our favorites include delightful mountain hikes like the Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail, which is found at Rainbow Mountain (obviously) and features one-and-a-half miles of outcroppings and wildflowers (depending on the time of year). Other favorites include the DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop, the Lake Lurleen State Park-Dam Trail, and the Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail. For more information on several of the mentioned hikes and then some, check out this list of eight of the best mountain hikes in Alabama. There, you’ll find the perfect little list of ideas to jump-start planning your Alabama hiking adventure.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
For the purposes of this question, we’ll define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not just rated as “easy”; it’s also under two miles long and highly recommended among others who have attempted the trek with small ones. That being said, there are more than 300 awesome hikes around Alabama that fit the bill perfectly. For example, should you find yourself at or nearby the Little River Canyon Nature Preserve, be sure to check out the awesome Little River Canyon Trail, which is 1.4 miles long and features amazing natural wonders like canyons, cliffs, and waterfalls. Another waterfall hike great for kids is the Falling Rock Falls Hike, a 1.8-mile adventure leading to an awe-inspiring 90-foot waterfall. The Doug Ghee Bald Rock Boardwalk hike is easy, enjoyable, and very scenic, offering great views at the end of Bald Rock. Finally, head to Lane Park and do the Vulcan Trail, which is 1.7 easy miles of lush, green amazingness sure to spark the kids’ imaginations.
What are some of the best scenic hikes in Alabama?
With 800 or more hikes to choose from, the majority of Alabama is already pretty scenic, but some trails tend to go above and beyond in terms of awe-inspiring scenery. Some of our favorites include delightful mountain hikes like the Rainbow Mountain Loop Trail, which is found at Rainbow Mountain (obviously) and features one-and-a-half miles of outcroppings and wildflowers (depending on the time of year). Other favorites include the DeSoto State Park-Waterfall Loop, the Lake Lurleen State Park-Dam Trail, and the Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail. For more information on several of the mentioned hikes and then some, check out this list of eight of the best mountain hikes in Alabama. There, you’ll find the perfect little list of ideas to jump-start planning your Alabama hiking adventure.
