Trying to hike and avoid the crowds? Check out these Birmingham trails less traveled.
ByChaise Sanders
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Since Birmingham’s quarantine began, many of us have been enjoying the outdoors more. However, with blue skies and beautiful scenery, popular trails around the city have been packed. Kind of defeats the purpose of social distancing right? Luckily, the Freshwater Land Trust has some insight on some alternative, less crowded trails to spend some much-needed time outdoors. Check ’em out!
A Look At Birmingham’s Trails Less Traveled
Jefferson County’s Red Rock Trail System is vast (over 120 miles!) and sure doesn’t lack in variety of trails. Whether you’re looking to boost your heart rate or just stretch your legs, there are miles of trails to explore while still social distancing.
The Red Rock Trail system is made up of the following six major corridors with each consisting of unique trails that you can bike, walk or run.
Cahaba River Corridor
- Civitation Park Trail (1.8 mi)
- Boulder Canyon Loop Trail (1.02 mi)
- Aldridge Gardens (0.9 mi)
- McCallum Park Trails (1.05 mi)
Five Mile Creek Corridor
- Five Mile Creek Greenway (5.5 mi)
- North Aqueduct Trail (2.21 mi)
- Reed Harvey Community Greenway Wetland Park Trail (0.3 mi)
- Gardendale Urban Trail (3.17 mi)
Jones Valley Corridor
- High Ore Line Trail (2.28 mi)
- Clairmont Walking Trail (0.51 mi)
- 1st Avenue South/ Jones Valley Greenway (0.63 mi)
- Bessemer Rail Trail (0.43 mi)
Shades Creek Corridor
- Homewood Forest Preserve (1.32 mi)
- Irondale Furnace Greenway (0.58 mi)
- Flora Johnston Nature Trail/ North Shades Creek Greenway (1.49 mi)
- Wildwood Preserve (0.52 mi)
Village Creek Corridor
- Enon Ridge Trail/ Dorothy Spears Greenway (1.07 mi)
- Ensley-Pratt Greenway (1.16 mi)
- Birmingham Eastside EcoGardens (0.26 mi)
If you’re a visual person like myself, here’s a map to find the trail closest to you.
Red Rock Trail System map via Freshwater Land Trust.
What are some of your fave local trails? Snap some cool shots and tag us in your photos @BhamNow.
