Northern Alabamas Newest National Recreation Trails

Northern Alabamas Newest National Recreation Trails

by

Nova Sisk

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has recently recognized several trails in northern Alabama as National Recreation Trails. This designation cites trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public land. The program is administered by the National Park Service and the US Forest Service.

The National Recreation Trail System provides recreational users opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. There is an extensive network of trails across the country. Three of the newly designated trails in northern Alabama are located in Jackson County and three are in Madison County. Trails are convenient to residents and visitors to the Scottsboro and Huntsville areas.

The trails in Jackson County are located at Goose Pond Colony, Scottsboro City Park, and the Walls of Jericho. The Goose Pond Colony Nature and Walking Trail is a scenic two mile loop trail along Lake Guntersville. Goose Pond Colony is a full service resort owned by the city of Scottsboro. In addition to the trail, resort amenities include swimming, golf, a marina, restaurant, and cabins. It is located at 417 Ed Hembree Drive. The Scottsboro City Park Walking Trail is a scenic one mile trail along Lake Guntersville. The park is located at 1247 Winn Road.

The Walls of Jericho tract is sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the South. The 17 miles of Forever Wild Trails take visitors through canyons and past scenic waterfalls. The three designated trails are the Walls of Jericho Trail, Bear Den Point Loop, and South Rim Trail. The land is owned by the state of Alabama. The easiest access is located 25 miles northwest of Scottsboro off Hwy 79.

The Madison County trails are located near Huntsville, Alabama. Monte Sano Nature Preserve is located east of Huntsville near Monte Sano State Park. Parking is off Bankhead Parkway. The preserve has twenty miles of multi-use trails. The Old Railroad Bed Trail is an easy to moderate trail suitable for families to hike. This 1.5 mile trail preserves what is left of a late 1800s railroad route that went from Huntsville Depot to Hotel Monte Sano at the top of Monte Sano Mountain.

Wade Mountain Nature Preserve is an 840 acre tract containing 9.4 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. On a clear day visitors can see all the way to Tennessee from Devils Race Track. Access to the area is off Spraggins Hollow Road north of Huntsville. Blevins Gap Nature Preserve is located southeast of town off Cecil Ashburn Drive. The 970 acre property has a 10.5 mile network of trails. This preserve contains areas of forest and rock overhangs, and provides visitors with scenic views of the Huntsville Valley from high atop Huntsville Mountain.

Nova Sisk is the General Manager for Hampton Inn & Suites

Scottsboro AL Hotel

. The Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsboro hotel in Alabama is located in the mountain/lakes region of northern Alabama surrounded by majestic mountains and rich valleys, located minutes from Lake Guntersville.

For more information visit: http://www.scottsboroalabamahotel.com

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Northern Alabamas Newest National Recreation Trails