It’s no secret that Alabama is a great place for hiking year-round, especially during the winter season. From scenic nature preserves to beautiful state parks, there are many types of places to hike in our great state. Listed below are seven of Alabama’s best places for a winter hike. Don’t forget to add them to your bucket list!
- Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve - Tuscumbia
flickr/Michael Hicks Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, which is one of North Alabama’s best nature spots, offers more than 15 miles of scenic trails. While exploring this nature preserve during the winter months, you’ll encounter several rock shelters and waterfalls. You’ll even get to experience an incredible view.
- DeSoto State Park Falls Loop - Fort Payne
alltrails/Rob Wilkerson This time of year, the DeSoto State Park Falls Loop is quite popular among hikers. It includes DeSoto State Park’s Laurel Falls Trail, Lost Falls Trail, and Azalea Cascades Trail. Combined, these three trails form a 3.1-mile loop that features beautiful waterfalls.
- Piper Interpretive Trail - Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
alltrails/Jerica Tuttle The Piper Interpretive Trail, which has a distance of 2.3 miles out and back, will take you through pine trees and rocky bluffs that offer great views of the Cahaba River. This trail is mostly used for hiking, walking, and birdwatching. Click here to view the full trail map.
- Sipsey Wilderness - William B. Bankhead National Forest
flickr/Michael Hicks The Sipsey Wilderness, which offers approximately 45 miles of trails, is one of Alabama’s top hiking destinations. While exploring this scenic wilderness area, you’ll encounter several waterfalls and get to hike along the beautiful Sipsey River.
- Flagg Mountain Loop via CC Camp Trail - Weogufka State Forest
alltrails/Paul B Hiking The Flagg Mountain via CC Camp Trail is a 1.5-mile loop trail that features a beautiful river, log cabins, and a fantastic view. It’s used year-round, especially during the winter season, for hiking, walking, and nature trips. Click here to view the full trail map.
- Monte Sano State Park Plateau Loop - Huntsville
alltrails/Vernon Anderson The Plateau Loop, which has a distance of 5.4 miles, is located atop Monte Sano Mountain and weaves through Monte Sano State Park. It’s a double loop trail that includes the 1.9-mile North Plateau Trail, in addition to the 3.5-mile South Plateau Trail. During the winter months, the Plateau Loop offers wonderful views.
- Pine Beach Trail - Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
alltrails/Nicholas Cross The Pine Beach Trail is a 4-mile out and back trail that’ll lead you through a series of sand dunes before reaching the Gulf’s beautiful white-sand beaches. This scenic trail is also great for birdwatching and viewing other types of wildlife. Click here to view the full trail map.
Where in Alabama is your favorite place for a winter hike? Please share it with us in the comments.
flickr/Michael Hicks
Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, which is one of North Alabama’s best nature spots, offers more than 15 miles of scenic trails. While exploring this nature preserve during the winter months, you’ll encounter several rock shelters and waterfalls. You’ll even get to experience an incredible view.
alltrails/Rob Wilkerson
This time of year, the DeSoto State Park Falls Loop is quite popular among hikers. It includes DeSoto State Park’s Laurel Falls Trail, Lost Falls Trail, and Azalea Cascades Trail. Combined, these three trails form a 3.1-mile loop that features beautiful waterfalls.
alltrails/Jerica Tuttle
The Piper Interpretive Trail, which has a distance of 2.3 miles out and back, will take you through pine trees and rocky bluffs that offer great views of the Cahaba River. This trail is mostly used for hiking, walking, and birdwatching. Click here to view the full trail map.
The Sipsey Wilderness, which offers approximately 45 miles of trails, is one of Alabama’s top hiking destinations. While exploring this scenic wilderness area, you’ll encounter several waterfalls and get to hike along the beautiful Sipsey River.
alltrails/Paul B Hiking
The Flagg Mountain via CC Camp Trail is a 1.5-mile loop trail that features a beautiful river, log cabins, and a fantastic view. It’s used year-round, especially during the winter season, for hiking, walking, and nature trips. Click here to view the full trail map.
alltrails/Vernon Anderson
The Plateau Loop, which has a distance of 5.4 miles, is located atop Monte Sano Mountain and weaves through Monte Sano State Park. It’s a double loop trail that includes the 1.9-mile North Plateau Trail, in addition to the 3.5-mile South Plateau Trail. During the winter months, the Plateau Loop offers wonderful views.
alltrails/Nicholas Cross
The Pine Beach Trail is a 4-mile out and back trail that’ll lead you through a series of sand dunes before reaching the Gulf’s beautiful white-sand beaches. This scenic trail is also great for birdwatching and viewing other types of wildlife. Click here to view the full trail map.
For more information about Alabama’s Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, be sure to take a look at the following article: The One Place On Alabama’s Gulf Coast That’s Filled With The Most Breathtaking Scenery.
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Address: Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, 251 Loop Rd, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USAAddress: 6914 Womack Dr NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USAAddress: Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, 3WXQ+6MJ, West Blocton, AL 35184, USAAddress: Sipsey Wilderness, Mt Hope, AL 35651, USAAddress: CC Camp Rd, Sylacauga, AL 35151, USAAddress: Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolen Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801, USAAddress: Pine Beach Trail, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
