Find the top rated trails in Sheffield, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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...
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...
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. Currently,...
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...
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 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...
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. Currently,...
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. Currently,...
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...
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...
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...
We started in Elkmont at the caboose and traveled south. Beautiful tree tunnel almost all the way to Athens. There are gently sloping hills. We went early in the morning in June and there is a swamp area to the East with green algae that reflects beautifully. Beware of mosquitoes.
Loved my hike including lunch in Elkmont. The dogs in Veto made me most uncomfortable. Won't be back.
I rode this trail recently for the first time in a few years and some problems still exist while some have improved. The Point Mallard end of the trail is still very nice and easy to follow. They have made improvements to most of the sections of the trail that previously had been very close to the water's edge, moving them several feet back.
The city of Decatur has a master plan to extend this trail throughout the city but work has been done in fits and starts. If you decide to take the northern end of the trail or the new part downtown by the railroad tracks, be sure to bring a map because markings for the trail are scarce.
We had a great time! It is a good trail for people of all ages and abilities. There were also some beautiful views!
In Huntsville for business. Came here for evening run. Started by the pool area ran along the water edged trail. Lots of people. Very nice!!
Having missed my run due to travel, I found this location on my way back from Nashville. It was so convenient to the interstate that I could change clothes, take a quick run and my hubby could get in his walk and we were back on the road. The shaded trail was perfect even when a quick rain blew in and we were hitting the trail in the heat of the day.
Look forward to trying the full route on the next trip...
This is a follow-up review from the one I wrote in 2012. I wrote then that there were many horses and basically no bikers. I'm happy to report that has changed. On my ride on a beautiful mid-September Sunday 2015, there were fewer horses, and bikers were fairly numerous, a very pleasant change. Good to see fellow bikers out there. Most of the horses still seem fairly skittish of bikers though, so I'd suggest going pretty much as slow as you can go when encountering horses. Do that and there should be no problem with them. The horse hockey seemed to be less than before.
I'm also happy to report that the barking dogs issue I mentioned before is no longer an issue. The house (at the northern trailhead) is no longer occupied or even habitable, so there are no dogs anymore. You can go to the restroom in peace.
It's really about as pleasant a trail as you could ask for. I stretched out the ride by several miles by riding a loop on some lightly-traveled roads that are actually marked with signs as a bike route. At the northern terminus I took a loop of Pettusville Rd./Spence Cave Rd./Pettusville Rd./Robinson Rd./Veto Rd., which was very nice, though there is a substantial hill or two to go up at one point. You get rewarded for that though when you get on Robinson Rd. and it very quickly starts going downhill and there's a maybe half-mile section that's gently curvy and goes through a forested section. It's a fun and slightly scary ride because you can FLY, if you want to. Here's a look at it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/udKqb6ngRKE2
If I lived closer, I'd use this really nice trail a lot for both biking and walking. The folks there are lucky to have it.
This site states that the trail is 1.6 miles, but the overall TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation Trail is approx. 12.5 miles for paved, dedicated bike/walk. The trail rambles between deep forested sections, century old engineering marvels, grand vistas and amazing grasslands. It varies enough to allow you to determine your ride; multiple loops, yo-yos, elevation challenges, road and side trials with multiple entry points on both sides of the Tennessee River and restrooms on both the Florence and TVA (mid-trail) sides.
I started at the Marriot Shoals hotel and rode south over Wilson Dam. The east side Muscle Shoals trailhead starts at a small parking lot; turn right off Wilson Dam Hwy. (WDH) past the large array of transformers/transmission towers right after the dam. You will think that you are headed toward a restricted area, but will turn left prior. The trail winds through the TVA property before crossing underneath Hwy. 157/The Singing Bridge. At the intersection, there is a sign that states “End Bike Route” but there is a paved trail that merges onto the bridge, east side, via a 7’ wide wire-cage covered walkway to the Florence trailhead and mini-park. If you look on a satellite map, there is a gravel path back to the Marriot but it was too overgrown to transverse. Returning back to the trail at Hwy. 157, there is a right-turn down a park road that leads to a pavilion with a gorgeous overlook. Again, returning to the trail, you will hit the TVA trailhead next which splits the trail into a loop. Both of these trails will take you to the double-decker bridge. There is no signage, but if you keep dropping in elevation you will hit the bridge. The old bridge is the capstone of the trail. You can ride the wood deck bridge until it stops above Patton Island at the panty tree, you’ll see. To get to the west side Muscle Shoals trailhead at the bridge, you will need to drive through the parking lot of Oral & Facial Surgery Center. In addition to the bike/walk paths, there are a couple of side hiking trails to both the bluff and the river. To vary your ride, I did a little road riding along the WDH which feels very safe due to sparse traffic on the weekends. I completed almost 30 miles and looped back to the dam without seeming to ride the same trail twice.
We only walked a two mile stretch but enjoyed the whole path.
We stayed at Mill Creek Rv rode out first day towards Tennessee. At end we rode some of the back roads on payment too! Went back by campground and then rode into Elkmont and back. Second day we took bikes to Elkmont and parked at caboose and rode towards Athens to end and back. Second day was almost 12 miles round trip. Leaves were falling and only saw two walkers and one biker and no horses today. Don't have mountain bikes but had no trouble it was hard packed. Little up and down hills so got a good work out!!!!! Ate at new goat cheese place and got ruben turkey sandwich which was good. Did not tour factory. Groupon had a coupon but we were tired.
A nice ride to take lunch. Tables and covered area and restroom are at each end. Nice parking looked safe and very open.
Cross over the TN river on 133 (Helton) Going North into Florence. As soon as you cross the river take first red light turn to the right onto Veterans then take 1st right. Go to end of road 3 TO 4 Blocks and it bears right and leads you into a small parking lot. Then take trail over the river Approx 1 mile bridge. Then it breaks off into several small trails. All asphalt trails and easy riding or walking.
If you wanted to when leaving parking area go back and cross over hiway and ride into the downtown Florence area or go online and find other Bike routes in the area.
Not a lot of signs but I am sure if my wife and I can figure it out surely others can.
We love the area.
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