Hike the Deadening Alpine Trail

The Deadening Alpine Trail, that name just reeks of adventure. It is about half way between Birmingham to the north, and Montgomery to the south, (The Deadening Alpine Trailhead, 354 Long Branch Dr. Dadeville, AL 36853). It runs through an isolated area on Lake Martin, which is a popular playground for both cities.

This beautiful 4.2 mile loop trail starts through a lush mostly pine forest but leads to an impressive bluff overlooking Lake Martin with a magnificent vista of another Outbound adventure called Acapulco Rock-Chimney Rock. There is an opportunity about a half mile in to take either a 2.5-mile loop or a 3.6-mile loop. Both will include the bluff area, and both have wonderful thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron during the spring.

The bluffs known as the cliffs of the Tallapoosa River and have great rock formations. One in particular called the Needles eye. You will know it when you get there.

Beware though, the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, Inc., (CRATA), who maintains the trail post a warning, “WARNING: We do not recommend children under 12 years of age hike this trail. We also recommend that children ages 12 to 14 years have strict adult supervision. There are cliffs and bluffs without safety barriers within 10 to 20 feet of the trail. A fall from these heights could result in critical injury or death.”…

It is a worthy and unique hike in central Alabama.