I did a thing, I did a thing! Are you looking for some local beauty while getting some steps?…read morePlease go visit the Moss Rock Preserve. First, getting to the Preserve is relatively easy. It's located within a community, which eases the mind when you solo trek. The trails are laid out nicely with clear paths. The natural stepping paths are quite easy to maneuver for beginners like me. The beauty of the rocks and boulders are amazing. Bring your kids to see all the natural beauty of the caverns and waterfalls. I love this place! Alabama is such a beautiful place. Take the time to experience this natural beauty in your own backyard. Yes, it is a true workout. Skip the gym and come outside. We outside, we outside!

Moss Rock Preserve offers beautiful walking trails, streams, waterfalls, and giant rock formations…read more It provides a great outdoor experience within minutes of downtown Hoover. We've had a great time hiking here, and it's pet friendly so our fur-babies have been able to enjoy the trails with us too. If you love the outdoors, Moss Rock Preserve is a must-visit.

Beautiful trail in a scenic setting. There are some moderate hills, but nothing too tough. There…read moreare several tunnels under roadways that allow for a continuous path. I cycled the trail from end to end and absolutely loved it!

So happy we found this trail. It's my new favorite! The directions on Yelp will take you right to…read morethe parking area. From there you walk on the sidewalk till you get to where the trail goes off to the right and down the hill. The trail is wide and flat and paved. On this particular day, we saw walkers with and without dogs and joggers and someone with a stroller. Very shady through a lot but not all of it. Benches here and there to take a break. A few cool tunnels to walk through that the kiddos will love. Round trip from the parking area was 3 miles. Can't wait to come back. The dogs loved it!

Red Mountain Park is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon hiking, with so much to explore. While…read morevisiting Alabama, my friends and I decided to spend a couple of hours here and ended up hiking about 5-6 miles. There's truly no shortage of trails, and the variety keeps things interesting the entire time. The park definitely offers some challenging uphill climbs--especially for us Florida girls who aren't used to elevation--but we powered through and felt very accomplished. One of my favorite highlights was Rushing Rendezvous; the idea of a suspension bridge tucked up in the treetops always excites me, and this one did not disappoint. Of course, when we saw Trail 5 marked as most difficult, it was a no‑brainer--we had to take it. I really enjoyed reading about the history along the way, especially learning more about the Birmingham Mineral Railroad site. I do wish there had been a bit more signage around some of the remaining structures so we could soak up even more history, but honestly, guessing their original purpose became part of the fun. Hands down, I would absolutely come back to explore more of Red Mountain Park. It's a great mix of challenge, scenery, and history--and well worth the visit.

So I've been back living in Alabama for the past 9 years and never realized Red Mountain was a real…read morething. I set out to look for it, and guess what?! It's a thing! I'm so happy that I found this historical place. Such a great walking and hiking trail. There's also areas to get your cardio on and to sit, relax, pack lunch/meal to enjoy at the tables along the trail. Perfect for bike rides, bird watching and getting away without getting away. Add this place to your weekly workout routine.

Ruffner Mountain was a great stop during our four‑day girls hiking trip in Alabama. Since we…read moreplanned to tackle a big 23‑mile hike the following day, we decided not to hike the entire park and instead kept it to about three miles. Even with a shorter hike, we were still able to experience and enjoy the park and its trails. My favorite part was Cambrian Overlook. Even though I'm scared of heights, I knew I had to push myself to the edge of the cliff to take in the view--and I'm so glad I did. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and worth every bit of bravery it took to snap a photo. If I find myself back in the area, I would definitely be open to returning and exploring more of what the park has to offer. It's a beautiful spot and a great option for hikers of all levels.

Ample parking close by trail ($5; can pay by Park Mobile app). The there multiple trails to choose…read morefrom that are well marked and well maintained. There are restrooms on site.

I visited Oak Mountain State Park as part of the Mammoth March Hike, fully aware it was going to be…read morea major undertaking--but it still managed to shock me. The steep climbs up and down the mountain were incredibly challenging. At one point, I even slipped and slid down part of the trail but thankfully managed to do so gracefully without hurting myself. Being from Florida, I was definitely not accustomed to the elevation gain I was about to face. There were plenty of moments throughout the hike where I questioned why I signed up for this challenge, but pushing through and ultimately finishing made it all worth it. Having the bragging rights to say I conquered this terrain feels incredibly rewarding. That day, I didn't notice much floral life, and most of the critters seemed to be hiding--likely due to the large number of people participating in the hike. That said, I was still lucky enough to spot a rattlesnake and a black racer, which made the experience even more memorable. There were a few noteworthy areas worth stopping for, including an open area near a dam‑like structure and several peaceful river and creek spots along the route. While the park is absolutely massive and I know there was so much left unexplored, the 23 miles I trekked over 9 hours was more than enough for one day. If I find myself back in the area, I might just dare to return and explore some of the parts of the park I didn't get to see. Truly a beautiful park and an incredible asset for those who live nearby and get to enjoy it regularly.

Beautiful park! Great Lake for swimming and the trails are extraordinary for biking or trail…read morerunning. We were so impressed and really enjoyed our time in the park

I have always been a big fan of Lakeshore Trail since my now 20+ year olds were little. The trail…read moreis long and paved and perfect for bikers, walkers, and families with young kids. Shades Creek runs along the side of the trail, so it is pretty. Along the way, there are plenty of entrances and parking lots, but because of the large, beautiful trees, the concrete and asphalt are hidden from the trail, and there is a lot of shade. My only wish is that, because of the distance of the trail, that they would put a few port a potties along the way.

I come out here a lot!! It is very shaded and the miles were marked to help you keep up! As a…read morewoman, I feel completely safe coming out here alone. There are always lots of people out! If you are looking for a safe, long walking trial then this is it!

Well well well. Finally made it to the Vulcan walking trail. This trail did not disappoint. I was…read moresurprised at the number of people on the trail, but all seemed pleasant. I thought that it was interesting that the apartments below the trail had stairs leading up to the trail. Nice benefit to living in the area. I noticed a few of the residents heading up and down the trail with their dogs. Yes, this is a pet friendly trail with waste bins along the trail. The trail seems well maintained without being manicured. The overgrowth of brush is seen along the path without impeding the trail. The views over the city is great when walking, running or walking is nice. Great trail for bike riding, leisurely walks or increased cardio workouts. Bring your kids, pets and or family to capture some city views and get in a good workout. I will be back, definitely wearing a hat! The sun is bright up there!!

I'm a recent transplant to Alabama and have been wanting to check out the Vulcan Trail. It's paved…read moreand flat (or at least the one mile i walked up and back was). I saw several people walking along, a couple joggers and one person with a dog. Everyone was polite and respectful. I did have a gentleman stop and warn me about a man that was up the trail a bit that could potentially be troublesome or make me uneasy. I really appreciated him warning me and telling me to be safe. Aside from that, I had no concerns walking the trail alone. I took in all the beautiful city views and the random flowers along the way. I do wish it was kept up a bit better, however. There are downed trees that have been cut but not cleared, a trash can fallen over, etc It's a great place to get some movement in and take in the views!

I'm always looking for places to walk my dog & this trail is one of my favs!! Love the new trail…read moreadded that was added last year. You see joggers, walkers, bike riders and all dogs are leashed and I've never encountered a dog that wasn't friendly. It's the perfect place to visit when the weather is nice!! Fyi- if it rains, just know the newer trail doesn't get as muddy as the older trail.

This is one of my favorite places to walk in Birmingham. It's conveniently located in Homewood near…read moreSamford/Brookwood Mall/Homewood High School. I love going to the trail because it's paved and the majority of it is shaded. There are always a good number of people using the trail (either walking, running, riding bikes, sitting on the benches, etc.), but it's never insanely crowded. I don't feel unsafe if I go walking by myself either. The streams that run along the trail give it a relaxing feel as well. The trail runs parallel to Lakeshore Parkway, but I never really hear much traffic while I'm there. Definitely check this place out if dirt trails and/or hills are not your thing!

The best trail ever. Follows Yellowleaf Creak for nearly 2 miles. Mostly level and now accessible…read morefrom a new park as well as the small trailhead parking area. My favorite trail in Alabama!

This was my first time at this park. I was recently here for my nephew's soccer game versus a team…read morefrom Tennessee. The soccer field we played on was oddly designed. Parking was a little tricky but we made our own parking spot. Overall, a decent park with several fields.