We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Strangest Hiking Trail Name in Alabama

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with the why of things. This hits me especially hard when I’m traveling. Why was this town built here? Why does the river bend there? Why, why, why? Admittedly, I turn into a bit of a toddler when traveling. It’s pretty easy to figure out the origin story of most hiking trails in Alabama. Typically, they fall into one of four categories: Biblical reference, early settler, native tribe, or it’s named after the flora/fauna in the region. 

So you can imagine my surprise when I found the Lost Sink Trail. I had to know the why. 

The Keel Mountain Preserve is a nature preserve in Gurley, Alabama, about 14 miles southeast of Huntsville. It is an idyllic space where you can be fully immersed in some of Alabama’s most majestic scenery, walking underneath the canopies of oak, hickory, smoke tree, and cedar trees. 

Rugged limestone bluffs are peppered with sinkholes, and creek beds may be bone dry or free-flowing, depending on the rainfall. It’s a beautiful space to escape to when you need a quiet, peaceful hike to recharge. 

Here, you’ll find the Lost Sink Trail. AllTrails rates the 3.7-mile out-and-back trail as moderate due to some rocky areas that may require scrambling, but overall, it’s a fairly easy hike that’s very beginner-friendly. The trail isn’t well marked, so make sure you download a trail map before you go.

I mentioned the sinkholes earlier, and I think it’s a good time to revisit that. You see sinkholes on the news pop up and swallow entire cars in a split second. That’s not going to happen here. You should absolutely watch where you are going, and if you’re bringing your dog, you should keep them on a leash, but this isn’t going to be a “swallowed by a sinkhole scenario.” I mean, unless you go exploring in places where you shouldn’t.

After a magical and enchanting walk through the forest, you’ll come to Lost Sink Falls. Regretfully, no one has misplaced their kitchen sink here. Instead, the name derives from this unusual waterfall that flows into a sinkhole!

Like many waterfall trails, this one is best visited after a good rainfall. I’d be very cautious about trying to capture the falls from below. It’s steep, it’s slippery, and it’s not worth it. Admire them from the trail and then head back to your car!

So, while there may not be any missing sinks here, the Lost Sink Trail is certainly one of the strangest hiking trail names in Alabama. Share this article with someone you want to visit this hiking trail in Alabama with!

For more epic waterfall hikes in Alabama, check out our previous article, which highlights seven waterfalls easily reached on an epic road trip.