NOTABLE HIKES

FALLING ROCK FALLS

Did you know there’s a 90-foot waterfall easy accessible from Montevallo? And that you can explore a cavern behind it? It’s an easy hike to the top of the falls and more difficult to take trails down to its base. Catch it after rain for the most impressive flow. Distance: 1.8 miles round trip. Access it from 1601 Landview Road, Montevallo, AL 35115.

DUNNAVANT VALLEY GREENWAY

Although technically a greenway, you’ll quickly feel miles away from Highway 280 as you traverse along Yellow Leaf Creek on this natural surface trail and cross footbridges over the creek near Mt Laurel. Distance: 1.8 miles one way. Access it from BlackWatch Sports Performance facility on Highway 280 or from a parking lot on Dunnavant Valley Road (Highway 41) between Birch Creek Drive and River Birch Way.

KING’S CHAIR OVERLOOK

You’ll have to work hard to get this view out over miles of wooded ridges, but it’s well worth the climb in Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. Your reward is a rock seat named “King’s Chair” on this overlook. Note that it costs $5 per person to enter Oak Mountain State Park. Distance: 4-mile loop. Access it from the park’s North Trailhead.

Notable Hikes

Photos on This Spread by Beau Taylor

PEAVINE FALLS

Find this 65-foot tall, spring-fed waterfall at the top most ridge in Oak Mountain State Park. There are several routes to the falls but the fastest is short but steep, and well worth the trek, especially when there has been more rain locally. Distance: 1.6-mile loop. Access it from Peavine Falls Road, Pelham, AL 35214.

TAKE A TRAIL

Buck Creek Greenway Connects Buck Creek Park and Warrior Park. Look for a waterfall behind the Buck Creek Mill property and an underground spring! Length: 3 miles. Alabaster

Heardmont Park Trail Part of a 74-acre family recreational park. It’s lighted and follows Cahaba Valley Creek. Length: 1 mile. North Shelby County

Hillsboro Trail Paved on an old railway and connects residential communities with commercial development, an elementary and middle school, and current and future parks. Length: 3+ miles. Helena

Montevallo Greenway Begins at Orr Park. Look for Shoal Creek and King Creek and beaver dams along the way. Length: 2 miles. Montevallo

Veterans Park (Alabaster) Trail Located within a 90-acre park facility and lighted and wheelchair accessible. Length: 2 miles. Alabaster

Veterans Park (Valleydale) Easily accessible from Spain Park High School, Jefferson State Community College and large residential developments, with both soft gravel mixture and hard surfaces. Length: 3.1 miles. North Shelby County