Explore Alabama's Highest Point

Whether you're looking for a multi-day backpacking trip or just a day hike in Alabama you should definitely look into going to Cheaha State Park. Only being about 80 miles from Birmingham its an easy hour and a half drive.

The park has multiple options for if you want to stay the night here. You can camp at either the RV or Tent campsites, stay at the resort, or backpack and spend the night on the trails. All of which are within walking distance to trails within the park. Cheaha State Park is located within the Talladega National Forest with nearly 130 miles of trails to access year round! Highest elevation point is near Odum Point at 2,135 feet. Rappelling and rock climbing is available at the park but no equipment is available for renting and there are no guides so you need to know what you're doing.. You must sign in at the store you pass as you're entering the park. Top rated climb is Layla Route that you work from left to right rated at a 5.10C.

My top 3 favorite trails in the area:

-Cheaha Trailhead: If you're looking to go for a multiple day long backpacking trip I would suggest going to the Cheaha Trailhead. Start out at Lake Chinnabee, you'll follow the trail but as you're about a half mile in you can take a wooden pathway that gives you excellent views of Devil's Dens Falls, then after stopping there you can continue for about 2.5 miles along the Cheaha Creek. Two mils past the creek get ready to head up the fairly steep, rocky trail about 1000 feet. This will bring you to the Pinhoti Trail. From this point you have multiple options because the Pinhoti Trail has brought you to Alabama's largest network of trails. I decided to go SouthWest to Adams Gap, this is Alabama's highest ridge-line. After Adam's gap take the Skyway Trail that is six miles long. Leading you back to where you started, Lake Chinnabee, for a solid 17 mile loop.

-Chinnabee Silent Trail: Rated as the top trail to hike within Cheaha State Park, this 7.4 mile out and back trail is one you don't want to miss as long as you're visiting from March until November when the trailhead is open. Awesome waterfalls scattered throughout the trail as it runs along streams that have crystal clear water. You are allowed to have dogs on this trail as well just make sure to keep them on a leash.

-Bald Rock Boardwalk: This is the perfect trail to go to if you have younger kids, it's a boardwalk pathway making it easy to access some of Alabama's best scenery! You can go on this pathway year round. It's only 0.6 miles out and back making it the best hike if you aren't capable of hiking through tough terrain or just want to hike a quick trail to see the stunning sunrises one morning.