Huntsville has a state park, a set of Land Trust preserves, and easy greenways. Here is where to hike, by difficulty.
Huntsville is a better hiking town than most people expect. There is a state park on a mountain minutes from downtown, a string of free nature preserves managed by the Land Trust of North Alabama, and a couple of flat greenways for easier days. Trail conditions, closures, and rules change, so check the official park or Land Trust site before you go. Here are the places we would start, sorted by how hard they are.
Easy: Flat, Short, and Family-Friendly
Madison County Nature Trail (Green Mountain). The Madison County Nature Trail at 5000 Nature Trail Road SE is a free park with a lake, a covered bridge, a picnic pavilion, and a Braille trail. It is short enough for small kids and open daily.
Hays Nature Preserve (Hampton Cove). The Hays Nature Preserve covers 538 acres with more than ten miles of trails, and the Flint River Greenway is a two-mile paved multi-use path along the river. It is the best flat option in the area for strollers, bikes, and running.
The Wildflower Trail. This easy trail near Monte Sano runs alongside a stream at a gradual incline, so it is recommended for beginners. Spring is the best time to see wildflowers.
Moderate: A Real Hike Without a Big Commitment
Keel Mountain Preserve (Lost Sinks Trail). Near Hampton Cove, this two-mile moderate hike has switchbacks and a stream that disappears through a hole in the mountain. It is usually not crowded.
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve. Another Land Trust preserve, known for sunset views from the trailhead toward the Tennessee River valley and a stream with rock formations.
Green Mountain Nature Preserve. Also managed by the Land Trust, with rock formations and geological features.
Harder: Mountain Trails on Monte Sano
Monte Sano State Park. Monte Sano State Park is the most well-known hiking destination in Huntsville, with more than 20 miles of hiking trails and more than a dozen miles of mountain-biking trails. Trails are rated by difficulty, so pick one that matches your legs. The Stone Cuts Trail is a well-known payoff hike with unique features.
Monte Sano Nature Preserve. The Land Trust's preserve sits next to the state park, about two miles from downtown, with more than 20 miles of free public trails that connect to the park's network. The Fagan Springs trail follows Fagan Creek and is known for spring wildflowers, and the Bluff Line Trail is one of the more difficult routes.
Tips
- Bring water and start early in summer, since the mountain trails have sun and humidity.
- Check trail maps before you go. Both the state park and the Land Trust publish them.
- Pick a post-hike meal in advance. Big Ed's Pizza in Five Points and Cotton Row downtown are both close.
More Outdoors
For non-hiking outdoor ideas, see our best outdoor adventures in Huntsville list, or start with Monte Sano.
Details about businesses mentioned in this article (hours, offerings, atmosphere, and more) may change or may not be fully accurate. Spot something that needs a correction? Let us know and we'll fix it right away.
