North Alabama Backpacking

**RATyson** · 04-21-2015, 16:21

Hey all!

I'm not new to the area of North Alabama (lived in Huntsville for 12 years now), but I am new to the backpacking side of North Alabama.

It has been a while since I have been on the trail (mid 80's, on the AT in North GA, and NC) and I am looking to get back on it.

So, with that in mind could you fine folks enlighten me as to the best backpacking areas in North Alabama?

I do know of the Bankhead Ntl Forest, and the hiking/camping at Monte Sano state park any other locations you could suggest would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
Russ

**Ashe** · 04-21-2015, 17:27

there's the Pinhoti Trail.

and Walls of Jericho up on the TN border

**Ashe** · 04-22-2015, 09:14

or come on up to Tennessee. Savage Gulf and Fiery Gizzard aren't too far over the border. The Cumberland Trail starts just north of Chattanooga. Cloudland Canyon is just over the GA border and Cohutta Wilderness to the east from there.

**Dhagan** · 04-22-2015, 09:28

The Pinhoti. http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/...HRzbI.facebook

**RATyson** · 04-22-2015, 09:30

Thanks for all the feedback! Going to start up a "to-do" list of backpacking.

Originally Posted by Ashe

or come on up to Tennessee. Savage Gulf and Fiery Gizzard aren't too far over the border. The Cumberland Trail starts just north of Chattanooga. Cloudland Canyon is just over the GA border and Cohutta Wilderness to the east from there.

Cohutta is where I cut my teeth on backpacking when I was a teenager. Love that place!

Originally Posted by Dhagan

The Pinhoti. http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/...HRzbI.facebook

Oh man.. I may have just found my first long distance trip (pending some research)! Thanks!!

**tundracamper** · 04-22-2015, 10:11

Besides Bankhead/Sipsey and Pinhoti, I am not familiar with any other trails that are suitable for overnight backpacking in North AL. There is Walls of Jericho, but that's really far north. There are a few back-country sites at Oak Mountain. However, in reading all the rules, they don't allow fires. That clips my interest significantly. I have to drive almost two hours to get somewhere that's suitable for backpacking. That's a bummer!!

**NWAlabamaHiker** · 04-22-2015, 22:43

For a day hike there is Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. It's in Northwest Alabama (Tuscumbia). In the past I've really enjoyed hiking and camping there. Unfortunately they stopped allowing camping at the beginning of this year (it is privately owned), but it's a nice in and out day hike. I think there is around 700 acres in the preserve.

**perdidochas** · 04-23-2015, 14:03

Originally Posted by RATyson

Hey all!

I'm not new to the area of North Alabama (lived in Huntsville for 12 years now), but I am new to the backpacking side of North Alabama.

It has been a while since I have been on the trail (mid 80's, on the AT in North GA, and NC) and I am looking to get back on it.

So, with that in mind could you fine folks enlighten me as to the best backpacking areas in North Alabama?

I do know of the Bankhead Ntl Forest, and the hiking/camping at Monte Sano state park any other locations you could suggest would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
Russ

Sipsey Wilderness (part of the Bankhead) is a great place.