Alabama is home to a variety of hiking trails, ranging from the difficult Walls of Jericho Trail to the green Moss Rock Preserve. What’s great about these trails is that many of them are dog friendly.
You can take your furry buddy with you for an adventurous day at the Gulf State Park or spend time by the water at the Wind Creek State Park. Here’s a roundup of the best dog-friendly hiking trails in Alabama.
The 12 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Alabama
1. Noccalula Falls Park
Dog-friendly trails are found along the Black Creek Gorge
Plenty of paved walking trails, starting from the Admissions Pavilion
Check out the Black Creek Trail, going from Noccalula Falls to Black Creek Road
Head over to the Falls Wedding Chapel to take pictures
2. North Plateau Loop
🗺️ Address:
Alabama 35801, USA
🕐 Open Times:
8 am to 5 pm
💲 Cost:
$5 for ages 5 and above and $2 for ages 4 to 11 and above 62
🐕 Off-Leash:
No
A 3.2-km long loop trail with a manageable elevation for first-timers too
Look out for mountain bikers if your dog is jumpy
Takes about 41 minutes on average to complete
Some spots may be muddy if you go a day or two after a rain
3. Maggies Glen Loop
Takes about 55 minutes to complete
Might come across birdwatchers and runners on your way
Best times to visit are March to November
Go early in the morning to get some peace and quiet
4. Oak Mountain Blue Trail to White Trail Loop
Much more elevated than other hiking trails in Oak Mountain State Park
Is a challenging route, so make sure to come prepared with enough food and water
A good spot for backpacking and camping
Open year-round but spring might be the best time to explore the area
5. Borden Creek Hiking Trail
9-km trail close to Haleyville
Is moderately challenging and takes about 2 hours to complete
Also popular for hiking, camping, and birding
Isn’t quite elevated, but you may come across difficult terrain and water bodies
6. Big Tree Short Cut Loop
Start your hike from the Thompson Creek Trailhead and go south along the Sipsey River
Turn east towards the river and hike to the canyon where the Big Tree is
Route may be a bit challenging, especially if you try to find your way without a map or GPS
Enjoy beautiful views of the Sipsey River and canyons on the way
7. Parker Falls Trail
Enjoy a ton of cascades, pools, and waterfalls on your way
Beware: the path is rocky and steep
Best time to hike is during the fall or spring
Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the stunning views
8. Falling Rock Falls Hike
Home to federally listed species, including round rock snail and golden darter
Takes about an hour to complete
Is an easy route, but be considerate of other wildlife and hikers
Will find a 90-foot waterfall at the end of the woods
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9. Indian Creek Greenway
Used for hiking, running, and bicycling
Plenty of small footpaths diverging from the main trail take you to the creek
Takes about 2 hours to complete
Close to Madison, making it easily accessible for locals and visitors alike
10. Pinhoti Trail
The trail from Porters Gap to Adams Gap takes about 7 hours to complete
Plenty of steep challenges for experienced hikers
Abundant wildlife and nature scenes to observe
A lot of poison ivy in the area, so be careful with your little friend
Wear your best hiking shoes because there are plenty of unstable rocks on the way
11. Cane Creek to Linden Meadows
Take the scenic route for a little over an hour to reach Linden Meadows
Open on the weekends and holidays only
Plenty of water-filling stations and outhouses on the route to keep you comfortable
Trail has arrows and markers to point you in the right direction
12. Cane Creek Canyon Natural Preserve
Takes 3.5 hours to complete
Close to Tuscumbia, which you can reach by driving about 12 miles east of the Natchez Trace Parkway
Prepare to come across lots of small creatures
Plenty of fresh water-filling stations and bathrooms
Conclusion
Hiking with your furry friend can be a full experience . Many hiking trails, nature preserves, and national parks in Alabama allow you to bring your dogs along, but they must be kept on a leash.
Make sure your dog does not cause discomfort to any other person on the trail. Also, be mindful of the wildlife in the area and keep your dog in your sight at all times.
Some places may also allow off-leash dogs, but it’s best to ask the management beforehand. Don’t forget to take the necessary supplies and water for you and your dog.
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Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock