When I was in college, I went for a quick solo ride one day after class. It had stormed for a couple of days, and I knew the trail would be wet and muddy and a lot of fun to ride.
Unfortunately, I crashed on that ride and tore the ligaments in my right shoulder. Worse still, I was riding a loop, and the crash occurred at about the furthest point from my vehicle. That meant I had to walk my bike back to my car down an arm. Getting the bike on my rack on top of my car was also not fun. Did I mention my car at the time had a five-speed standard transmission?
At any rate, despite that outing, as soon as I recovered from surgery and rehab on my shoulder, I was back on my bike, exploring trails near and far. It’s just too much fun to let a little mishap (okay, maybe a big mishap) steer me away from mountain biking.
So, that’s where this article comes in. If you’re passionate about exploring the world on your mountain bike like I am and want to know some fun places to ride in Alabama, this list of some of the top Alabama mountain biking trails is for you!
Table of Contents
- Alabama Mountain Biking: Chewacla State Park Trail
- Alabama Mountain Biking: Cave Creek Trail – Cheaha State Park
- Alabama Mountain Biking: The Portal – Monte Sano State Park
- Alabama Mountain Biking: Peavine Falls via Green and White Trail Loop – Oak Mountain State Park
- Alabama Mountain Biking: Level Up Your Biking Experience With a Trailer
Alabama Mountain Biking: Chewacla State Park Trail
Photo by Rob Hainer via Shutterstock
If you’re looking for an easy loop for a quick afternoon ride, look no further than the Chewacla State Park Trail just south of Auburn. At 2.2 miles and 147 feet of elevation gain, you can get in a moderate workout, especially if you opt for two runs around the loop.
The trail runs through its namesake, Chewacla State Park, where you can also camp, hike, run, and bring your dog for walks. The trail can get busy, but it’s open year-round, so you can keep those legs in good shape, even during the cooler winter weather.
The park requires a fee to enter. At the time of writing, it’s $4 per person ages 12-61. Children 4-11 and adults 62 and older are $2.00. Children under the age of 4, military service members, and veterans get in for free.
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Alabama Mountain Biking: Cave Creek Trail – Cheaha State Park
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If you’re up for something a little longer, the Cave Creek Trail in Cheaha State Park just south of Oxford is a great option at 6.7 miles. The trail, which is accessible year-round, offers views of all kinds of scenery, from thick forests to large rock formations to streams and babbling brooks.
This area is especially beautiful during the fall season when the changing colors provide an incredible backdrop for your Alabama Mountain Biking adventure. You can also check off Alabama’s highest point if you ride this trail – Cheaha Mountain is the state’s tallest natural point at 1,725 feet above sea level. Despite the elevation, this trail is rated as moderate.
Admission to Cheaha State Park is free for children three and under, veterans, and current military members. Children 4-11 and seniors 62 and older are $2.00. It’s $5.00 per person between the ages of 12 and 61.
Alabama Mountain Biking: The Portal – Monte Sano State Park
Photo by Jason Patrick Ross via Shutterstock
One of the newest trails in Monte Sano State Park is The Portal. This downhill-only trail offers a vastly different experience than the previous two trails we’ve discussed. It’s a short single-track trail that’s just over 1,700 feet long. However, there’s tons of adventure packed into that short distance!
This flow-style trail is smooth and extremely fast. You can enjoy four table jumps as well as multiple poppable rollers to level up the excitement as you ride. The descent is just 53 feet, so you can easily turn around and head back up the adjacent Old Bankhead Parkway to take another run down The Portal.
There are numerous other trails in the area, too. Mountain Mist, for example, is a three-mile black-diamond trail that climbs nearly 100 feet. Most folks need about 20 minutes to complete the trail, so it’s a nice follow-up to your time on The Portal. In fact, Monte Sano State Park (which is near Huntsville) offers 22 miles of trails you can explore during your Alabama Mountain Biking Adventures!
Entrance fees are $5.00 for people 12 and up and $2.00 for children 4-11 and seniors 62 and over. Veterans, active military, and children 3 and under are free.
Alabama Mountain Biking: Peavine Falls via Green and White Trail Loop – Oak Mountain State Park
Photo by Serge Yatunin via Shutterstock
The most challenging route on this list is the Peavine Falls Trail via the Green and White Trail Loop. Located in Oak Mountain State Park just south of Birmingham, this trail is just 1.5 miles long, but it gains 311 feet of elevation in that short distance.
The trail is a loop, so if you’re up for it, you can easily do a couple of laps for a great workout. Of course, the trail’s namesake, Peavine Falls, is a great place to stop and admire the beauty of the area. You can bring your dog along if you like, as dogs are allowed on the trails in the park.
Oak Mountain State Park offers roughly 30 miles of mountain biking trails. Most of the trails are single-track, but some double-track options are available. Likewise, you can find easy, intermediate, and advanced trails that take you through forests, sand pits, steep uphill climbs, and over rocks and tree roots. There’s something for everyone!
Currently, fees are $5.00 per person 12-61, $2.00 per person ages 4-11 and 62 and over, and free for children 3 and under and for active military and veterans.
Alabama Mountain Biking: Level Up Your Biking Experience With a Trailer
Your Alabama mountain biking adventure can be so much better if you invest in a trailer that enables you to stay longer in the great outdoors. Think about it – visit one of the Alabama state parks described above with a well-equipped trailer, camp for a few days, and bring your bike along for the ride, too!
For that, you might consider the Patrol XC Off-Road Trailer from Rustic Mountain Overland. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the Rustic Mountain team and seeing this trailer first-hand, and I have to say, it’s a great example of good old-fashioned American hard work. Rustic Mountain is based in Irondale, Alabama, so they know full well what kind of trailer you need to get to your favorite mountain biking trails throughout the state.
For example, this trailer offers a Timbren HD 2200-pound axleless suspension, 31-inch AT tires wrapped around 15-inch wheels, and a Lock-N-Roll hitch so you can explore on-road and off with ease. The robust steel frame and texture powder-coating make this trailer durable for the long haul, too.
Better still, it has room for all your gear! There’s an enclosed storage area over the axles where you can keep food, clothes, and other items that need to stay dry and out of the elements. Up front is more storage on the tongue area, where you can add a weatherproof box or cooler. Up top, the Patrol XC has a 16-inch-tall roof rack that not only gives you a place for a rooftop tent, but also offers more storage under your tent for yet more gear.
At the back of the trailer is a perfect spot to mount your bike. Just pull into your camp spot. Pop open your tent, grab your bike, and you’re ready to rock for a fun Alabama mountain biking trip. Once you get back from a day on the trail, you’ll have all your gear right there in the Patrol XC, ready to help you make your campsite your home away from home. Get some sleep, wake up the next day, and repeat for more mountain biking fun. What’s not to like?!
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Hero photo by Steve Bower via Shutterstock