Explore the best rated trails in Athens, AL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Decatur Trail and Bradford Creek Greenway. With more than 17 trails covering 69 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Indian Creek Greenway, currently in two segments, runs along Huntsville's western border with the city of Madison. Future plans call for connecting the two segments and extending the trail north...
The Tennessee River Greenway is a short, but scenic, route in southern Huntsville with a forested area on one side and the river on the other. The trailhead at Ditto Landing offers a great place to...
The Big Cove Creek Greenway travels nearly 3 miles through eastern Huntsville, connecting the Hampton Cove and Cove Creek communities with the natural habitats surrounding Big Cove Creek. Trail-goers...
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The Flint River Greenway is a scenic trail through the Hays Nature Preserve, a wooded area where deer, rabbits, birds and other wildlife are abundant. Here, you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing,...
Much of the Decatur Biking and Running/Walking Trail is asphalt, and some is on-street, but at Point Mallard Park it turns into a shady, well-maintained gravel trail over smooth terrain. The...
The Swan Creek Greenway Trail offers natural beauty as winds its way through the forest along Swan Creek. Trail-goers will enjoy views of a covered bridge, gentle rapids and glimpses of wildlife. The...
Bradford Creek Greenway is definitely a green way winding just over 2 miles through Madison under cover of a dense hardwood forest. The paved pathway begins at Palmer Road (at the entrance to Palmer...
Atwood Linear Park provides a short north-south route in southeastern Huntsville near the Flemington Heights and Willowbrook communities. Turn right (east) on 4 Mile Post Road from the trail's...
The Little Cove Road Greenway begins at Hampton Cove Elementary in eastern Huntsville. Here, the trail connects to the Big Cove Creek Greenway, which can take you north along the scenic waterway, or...
TVA Nature Loop in northwestern Alabama offers a short connection between Sheffield on the south side of the Tennessee River and Florence on the river’s north bank. The paved trail travels through a...
This paved greenway trail is well maintained and follows Aldridge Creek, running parallel to Bailey Cove Road, from Mountain Gap Road to Green Cove Road. There are proposals to extend the greenway...
Although less than a mile long, the Gateway Greenway's location in downtown Huntsville means it offers many interesting and unique things to see and do. The trail begins in Veterans Park, dedicated to...
The Redstone Arsenal Fitness Trail is located on a U.S. Army base southwest of Huntsville. It circles part way around Madkin Mountain and is partially built on a former rail bed. There is a 1.5-mile...
Until the Trojan Trail was built, there weren’t that many safe or pleasant options for a jog in Hazel Green, Alabama. While the nearby big cities of Huntsville and Madison had their greenways, Hazel...
This is a rolling paved trail that follows along the shoreline of Guntersville Lake and is alongside Sunset Drive. Some of the hills are a little long, but there are plenty of flat areas as well. The...
The Swan Creek Greenway Trail offers natural beauty as winds its way through the forest along Swan Creek. Trail-goers will enjoy views of a covered bridge, gentle rapids and glimpses of wildlife. The...
Much of the Decatur Biking and Running/Walking Trail is asphalt, and some is on-street, but at Point Mallard Park it turns into a shady, well-maintained gravel trail over smooth terrain. The...
The Little Cove Road Greenway begins at Hampton Cove Elementary in eastern Huntsville. Here, the trail connects to the Big Cove Creek Greenway, which can take you north along the scenic waterway, or...
Until the Trojan Trail was built, there weren’t that many safe or pleasant options for a jog in Hazel Green, Alabama. While the nearby big cities of Huntsville and Madison had their greenways, Hazel...
This paved greenway trail is well maintained and follows Aldridge Creek, running parallel to Bailey Cove Road, from Mountain Gap Road to Green Cove Road. There are proposals to extend the greenway...
The Indian Creek Greenway, currently in two segments, runs along Huntsville's western border with the city of Madison. Future plans call for connecting the two segments and extending the trail north...
Boasting an intriguing history, the Old Railroad Bed Trail (a.k.a., Monte Sano Railroad Trail) follows one of the country's oldest, and shortest-lived, rail corridors. In the late 1800s, as yellow...
The Tennessee River Greenway is a short, but scenic, route in southern Huntsville with a forested area on one side and the river on the other. The trailhead at Ditto Landing offers a great place to...
The Big Cove Creek Greenway travels nearly 3 miles through eastern Huntsville, connecting the Hampton Cove and Cove Creek communities with the natural habitats surrounding Big Cove Creek. Trail-goers...
The Flint River Greenway is a scenic trail through the Hays Nature Preserve, a wooded area where deer, rabbits, birds and other wildlife are abundant. Here, you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing,...
The Richard Martin Trail (a.k.a., Limestone Rail-Trail) is best accessed mid-route from a trailhead in the town of Elkmont, where you'll find parking, good signage, a historic depot (used for...
Although less than a mile long, the Gateway Greenway's location in downtown Huntsville means it offers many interesting and unique things to see and do. The trail begins in Veterans Park, dedicated to...
TVA Nature Loop in northwestern Alabama offers a short connection between Sheffield on the south side of the Tennessee River and Florence on the river’s north bank. The paved trail travels through a...
Atwood Linear Park provides a short north-south route in southeastern Huntsville near the Flemington Heights and Willowbrook communities. Turn right (east) on 4 Mile Post Road from the trail's...
Bradford Creek Greenway is definitely a green way winding just over 2 miles through Madison under cover of a dense hardwood forest. The paved pathway begins at Palmer Road (at the entrance to Palmer...
The Redstone Arsenal Fitness Trail is located on a U.S. Army base southwest of Huntsville. It circles part way around Madkin Mountain and is partially built on a former rail bed. There is a 1.5-mile...
This is a rolling paved trail that follows along the shoreline of Guntersville Lake and is alongside Sunset Drive. Some of the hills are a little long, but there are plenty of flat areas as well. The...
The Flint River Greenway is a scenic trail through the Hays Nature Preserve, a wooded area where deer, rabbits, birds and other wildlife are abundant. Here, you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing,...
The Tennessee River Greenway is a short, but scenic, route in southern Huntsville with a forested area on one side and the river on the other. The trailhead at Ditto Landing offers a great place to...
This paved greenway trail is well maintained and follows Aldridge Creek, running parallel to Bailey Cove Road, from Mountain Gap Road to Green Cove Road. There are proposals to extend the greenway...
TVA Nature Loop in northwestern Alabama offers a short connection between Sheffield on the south side of the Tennessee River and Florence on the river’s north bank. The paved trail travels through a...
The Big Cove Creek Greenway travels nearly 3 miles through eastern Huntsville, connecting the Hampton Cove and Cove Creek communities with the natural habitats surrounding Big Cove Creek. Trail-goers...
The Indian Creek Greenway, currently in two segments, runs along Huntsville's western border with the city of Madison. Future plans call for connecting the two segments and extending the trail north...
Much of the Decatur Biking and Running/Walking Trail is asphalt, and some is on-street, but at Point Mallard Park it turns into a shady, well-maintained gravel trail over smooth terrain. The...
The Richard Martin Trail (a.k.a., Limestone Rail-Trail) is best accessed mid-route from a trailhead in the town of Elkmont, where you'll find parking, good signage, a historic depot (used for...
Boasting an intriguing history, the Old Railroad Bed Trail (a.k.a., Monte Sano Railroad Trail) follows one of the country's oldest, and shortest-lived, rail corridors. In the late 1800s, as yellow...
The Little Cove Road Greenway begins at Hampton Cove Elementary in eastern Huntsville. Here, the trail connects to the Big Cove Creek Greenway, which can take you north along the scenic waterway, or...
This is a rolling paved trail that follows along the shoreline of Guntersville Lake and is alongside Sunset Drive. Some of the hills are a little long, but there are plenty of flat areas as well. The...
The Redstone Arsenal Fitness Trail is located on a U.S. Army base southwest of Huntsville. It circles part way around Madkin Mountain and is partially built on a former rail bed. There is a 1.5-mile...
The Swan Creek Greenway Trail offers natural beauty as winds its way through the forest along Swan Creek. Trail-goers will enjoy views of a covered bridge, gentle rapids and glimpses of wildlife. The...
Bradford Creek Greenway is definitely a green way winding just over 2 miles through Madison under cover of a dense hardwood forest. The paved pathway begins at Palmer Road (at the entrance to Palmer...
Atwood Linear Park provides a short north-south route in southeastern Huntsville near the Flemington Heights and Willowbrook communities. Turn right (east) on 4 Mile Post Road from the trail's...
Until the Trojan Trail was built, there weren’t that many safe or pleasant options for a jog in Hazel Green, Alabama. While the nearby big cities of Huntsville and Madison had their greenways, Hazel...
Although less than a mile long, the Gateway Greenway's location in downtown Huntsville means it offers many interesting and unique things to see and do. The trail begins in Veterans Park, dedicated to...
A trail with a LOT of potential if maintained properly. The original trailbed is gravel, a mix between no. 57 and no. 67, and for the most part was pleasant, well, the 1/2 mile of the 1.5 miles one way that we rode that wasn’t redone in large no. 1 and no. 3 stones (Im talking 1/2” to 3” rocks here) and that was a rough ride. Whoever made the decision to fill the holes with fist sized rocks needs fired. At the end of my brief ride, one of my tires started going flat. This trail as is may be great for hikers and horses, but is bad for bikes. I won’t be back.
Not as much shade as other Greenways , still a great experience! Best in Early spring and Fall. I don't mind hot weather, but some don't. Enjoy!
To say Huntsville Greenways are cookie cutter is not a diss. One can expect concrete and asphalt trails, wide grassy borders and usually a creek. Almost all are well maintained. The best are mowed all the way to the water, have interesting structure and avoid road crossings. Indian Creek is one of the better ones. Just wish it was longer.
A nice little Greenway, failed only by any interesting structure. Kinda feels like your riding in someone’s back yard. Great if you live in one of the connecting subdivisions; but a bit boring.
Outstanding family venue. Plenty of places for kids to play in the water, enjoy the nature park and it’s playgrounds and ride about 9 miles of Greenway. Restrooms in the park are rare for Huntsville’s greenways. Even my daughter said “Good find, dad!” I’ll take that. You can park at either end, or at Hays in the middle.
A jewel among Huntsville greenways, Aldridge is level, clean, safe, and relatively entertaining. You’ll want selfies at the bridges and train trestle. In all a good 10 mile round trip along the Creek.
Swan Creek Trail is a well maintained bike/walk/run trail in Athens, AL. Nice natural features like the creek with small noisy rapids and interesting man made ramps and bridges. Trail travels under all major roads for maximum safety. Good mix of sun and shade connecting Athens shopping to tennis, ball and soccer facilities. Enjoy this quick pit stop with even your smallest or oldest family members and pets.
Beautiful views, a couple of bridges and plenty of wildlife. Great first ride for my wife and I.
My husband walked this trail with me twice before he realized that, at points, it is flanked on either side with houses. It’s that easy to forget you’re in the city. Parking is ample and easy to access if using the lot attached to the elementary school property. (Cannot speak for the other) Everyone I have met has been as nice as could be and with a pretty flat and well shaded path it’s a delight.
I'm late with this review, but the previous two reviews prompted me to add mine now. I went for my third on this trail in late 2017. As my earlier reviews stated, I had really nice rides. But not this one. I started at the northern trailhead and only went maybe a couple of miles before turning back because the trail was in such horrible shape. As stated in the two previous reviews by markmoore and Old Terry, there were lots of very large rocks to contend with which made the ride very unpleasant. I kept waiting for signs that things were going to get better, but that didn't happen and finally I just gave it up and turned back and got on the road alongside the trail as soon as possible. I had driven over an hour to get there, so I was quite disappointed. The short stretch of trail on the north end between the trailhead and the woods has always been the roughest section, but it was tolerable. But this time it was really bad even far into the woods. Apparently no trail maintenance at all had been done for quite some time. As the Mad Tweeter might say - Sad!
I would like to try the trail again sometime this year, but will not unless I know it will be in better shape for biking. Hopefully someone can give an update here on the condition of the trail at the north end.
Oh, and there are indeed dogs again at the house by the trailhead. They were in a fenced-in yard and I don't recall having any problems with them - not even being barked at - but they are there again.
It is listed as 10.2 but my GPS came up with 11 miles (22 round trip). It is a good one for solitude for sure. The small town of Elmont is basically right in the middle and makes for a nice rest stop. Except for Elkmont, AL and a couple of covered bridges there isn't much diversity along the entire trail. It's a 1 1/2 hour drive for me so I probably wont be back unless more is added to it.
I started at the Tennessee line TH and went to Athens and back. Within the first 1/4 mile a big black dog ran at me from the front of a house. He didn't have the cardio to keep up but something to watch for when near the Tennessee TH.
The path is compacted gravel like a driveway that's seen lots of use. The Athens half is pretty smooth but I was glad to be on a mountain bike for the other half. Occasional rough spots to beware of with some random big chunky rocks.
There was one road crossing I wasn't sure where the trail went and had to break out the phone to view the trail. Turned out it was straight across the road but hard to be sure because it was more grass than gravel. A little trail blaze would be nice there.
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