Hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and stay socially distanced if your family isn’t quite ready to mingle with lots of others. Here are some of the best spots around Birmingham for a day hike!
Red Mountain Park:
Red Mountain park is one of our favorite places for hiking with 1,500 acres and 12 miles of fun trails, you can check out the historic mines, Red Ore Zip Line, a tree house called the Kaul Adventure Tower, and their off-leash dog park.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve:
14 miles of trails, ranging in difficulty level from Easy to Difficult, branch and loop throughout the mountain. The trails are open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. Ruffner Mountain was mined for iron ore from the late 19th century through the 1950’s. In 1896, a local newspaper reported that its mines produced over 200 tons of raw ore per day for processing at nearby Sloss Furnaces. You may see many remnants of Birmingham’s industrial past while on the trail. Refer to the Preserve Map for the locations of historic Mining Sites.
Moss Rock Preserve:
A perfect balance of nature and community, Moss Rock Preserve is a beautiful 349 acre nature preserve abundant with forest systems, large rock outcroppings, streams, waterfalls, wildlife, and other unique natural features. Don’t miss the Boulder fields, Moss Rock Preserve’s Boulder Field is a favorite among rock climbers. With numerous technical formations, these boulders appeal to climbers of all skill levels.
Oak Mountain State Park:
Probably one of the most well known hiking spots around, Oak Mountain State park has lots to offer. Offering unique beauty and variety of hiking options, you’ll find more than 50 miles of trails that give you plenty to choose from. Be sure to check out the many scenic overlooks. Waterfalls (namely, Peavine Falls) and rock formations make Oak Mountain State Park trails a unique experience that will invite you to return again and again. (also worth noting: Oak mountain offers lots of options for water lovers from the beach, to kayaking, paddle boarding, and Flip Side Water Sports)
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve:
Enjoy hours of natural beauty with easy to moderate trails, totaling about 3 miles. Here are 5 things to know before you go... (please note that due to Covid-19, no swimming or wading is permitted at this time)
Tannehill Loop:
Restored pioneer cabins, furnaces, a cotton gin, and a working gristmill are popular attractions to this park, but the trails are not to be discounted. They are wide and easy to navigate, parts of which follow the route of ore miners and furnace workers. Choose between Slave Quarters Trail, Furnace Trail, Iron Haul Road (which will take you past the Slave Cemetery), Grist Mill Trail, and the Tram Track which is newly restored. Or enjoy them all for 5 miles round trip.
