The One Hike in Alabama That’s 100% Worth Braving the Cold

Alabama is an excellent place to hike year-round; every season offers stunning natural beauty. With diverse landscapes, waterfalls, mountains, and forests, there's something for everyone. Even the winter season, with cooler temperatures, clear sightlines, and peaceful trails, can provide a wonderful hiking experience. If you're looking for the perfect winter hike, head out on the Moss Rock Preserve Trail near Hoover, Alabama — a fantastic trail with a waterfall and creek views.

The Moss Rock Preserve Trail is a 3.1-mile loop trail that's considered moderately challenging. It starts near the Moss Rock Preserve-Sulfer Springs parking lot and continues northeast, taking hikers past several notable features, including High Cliffs, Hole in the Rock, Great Wall, and Turtle Wall. The trail also takes hikers past a creek and a small waterfall, creating unique photo opportunities.

This year-round trail allows visitors to see caves, rocks, birds, and forests. It is popular with birdwatchers and rock climbers, and other hikers noted more people near the entrance and fewer as they hiked deeper into the preserve. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, so feel free to bring your fur baby along.

Some hikers face navigation challenges on the trail. Some had trouble finding their way and suggested using the AllTrails app for navigation. Trails within the preserve cross over one another, and it can be easy to get turned around.

The trail's challenges also include hills, leaf-covered paths, trip hazards, and rock scrambles, so be sure to dress warm, have the right hiking boots, and take precautions as you trek down the trail.

Moss Rock Preserve is a 349-acre nature preserve protecting several waterfalls, streams, wildlife, and rare plant species. It has 12 miles of trails in total. The preserve's boulder field has multiple climbing routes and attracts rock climbers of various skill levels. The city of Hoover, Alabama, and volunteer groups like the Friends of Moss Rock Preserve carefully maintain the preserve.

Hoover is in central Alabama near Birmingham and is home to about 92,000 people. So if you're trying to find more ways to make the most of your trip, look no further. The city has a huge, inclusive playground called the Explore Playground and Splashpad, which is 15,000 square feet and free to visit. The city also has amazing restaurants like Tortugas Pizza and Jubilee Joe's, a Cajun seafood restaurant serving gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and more.

Consider planning a trip to Hoover, Alabama. The Homewood Suites by Hilton in Hoover is a great place to stay. And if you're looking for more ways to make your trip memorable, head on over to our itinerary planner for recommendations.