The mountains of northeastern Alabama are home to some of the best highways and trails in the entire southeastern United States. Northeast Alabama abounds with more national forests, state parks, wilderness areas, and historic monuments than any other state could maintain in a small geographic area. The state boasts of providing maximum protection to the land without having too many densely populated areas and the best of this is close to the Appalachian trailhead.
The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway
Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway is approximately 80 miles long and connects parts of DeKalb, Cherokee, Cleburne, and Calhoun counties. The detour begins on Interstate 59 at Fort Payne; follows Alabama Highway 35, Alabama Highway 273, Alabama Highway 68, US Highway 411, and Alabama Highway 9; and ends at Interstate 20 in Heflin. The trail has access from Lookout Mountain in the north to Alabama’s highest peak at Cheaha Mountain. Along the route are tourist sites like Little River Canyon, Weiss Lake, and Cheaha Wilderness Area. Talladega Scenic Drive and Lookout Mountain Parkway are also great routes to take when enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.
Talladega Scenic Walk
Talladega Scenic WalkIt takes you on a 26-mile journey that travels through the Cheaha Mountains and the Talladega National Forest, the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains. It traverses US Highway 281 near Heflin and US Highway 78 or State Route 20 and ends after Cheahea Wilderness and Adams Gap Road.
Cheaha Mountainhas a path that leads directly to the highest peak of the mountain of 2,407 feet located off State Route 49 in the Cheaha Wilderness and State Park. The park has a 9.6-mile trail that combines two other trails at about 5.3 miles and runs through the Talladega National Forest, where wild running turkeys can be seen.
Talladega National Forest It runs along State Route 9 and is part of the Cheaha State Park and Wilderness Area. The autumn colors of this forest are a wonderful site, as well as the red-eyed bass in the lake to fish during the season. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking.
Lookout Mountain Parkway
Lookout Mountain Parkway It runs about 50 miles across northeast Alabama and is named after Lookout Mountain, one of the richest cave regions in the world. The avenue includes several highways and is considered a multiple highway. Destinations include DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Park. DeSoto State Park It is located off State Route 59 and US Highway 39. There is so much to see and do with nature education centers, swimming pools, hiking, biking, and much more. Desoto Falls is one of the park’s top attractions with a huge drop of about 104 feet.
Little River Canyon National Park It is located along the AL 176 highway (next to the AL 35 highway). Little River Canyon is located near Fort Payne, Alabama, has a 23-mile-long scenic drive and 9 overlooks. The country trails and waterfalls are also highlights of the area.