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    Vulcan Trail

    4.6 (19 reviews)

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    Overlook
    Jasmine T.

    Smack dab on the Southside of Birmingham, the Vulcan trail has easily become one of my favorites. The 2.2 mile long trail is mostly flat and open to pedestrians, cyclists, and dogs on a leash. The entrance gate opens at 7 and you're free to park and go start your day. I like to think that the trail has two "routes", one that involves walking straight down the path and another that includes a hill. Once you walk a little over a mile you'll come to a point where you can continue going forward or make a right and head downhill. I tend to choose this option when I'm short on time or want to burn some extra calories while coming back up the incline. If you keep walking forward you'll soon be surrounded by lush trees and an unpaved path. The trail is located right below the Vulcan statue and museum so you could me a day out of exploring the whole site. The trail is pretty well maintained with most of the trash I see coming from an overfilled wastebasket. You may also spot one of the neighborhood chickens walking around! It's best advised to leave them alone and they'll do the sams.

    View from top of The Vulcan
    Maxwell C.

    Great experience would certainly recommend to anyone visiting Birmingham or if you just want to go for a walk on a beautiful trail.

    Samuel P.

    Too be honest, I never walk the trail, but I thought I'll stop here to get a awesome photo shot of the city and to take in the scenery. Parking is free for anyone that's wondering.

    Birdie M.

    I was wondering...what's that tall monument that you can see from all over downtown Birmingham??? It is the Vulcan! Interesting history, & pretty cool to see up-close. Wish I could have spent more time here, but nice walking trail, peaceful, & fantastic views of the city of Birmingham.

    Vulcan Trailhead
    Ed H.

    For a walk the trail is great. Especially in the fall when you can get some great views of the city. For a run, the trail is mostly a slight decline from Vulcan Park to the end, and a gradual incline all the way back. It's right at 4 miles if you go both ways. One of my favorite runs in town.

    Tracie P.

    The Vulcan trail is a greenway that winds its way around the Vulcan statue and park. The greenway is wide, tree-lined, and offers nice views of the city. This is a great spot for a bike, walk, or run and is dog-friendly. There's a parking lot near the start of the trail. You can also combine the trail with a trip to the Vulcan statue and museum.

    Sabrina M.

    I absolutely love Vulcan trail! I believe this trail is 1 mile long (one way) starting at the 20th st entrance. Trail is mostly covered completely with shade from beautiful greenery and trees. There are a few points in the trail where you can catch a peek of the city. I Love following the trail all the way up the hill after you hit the 1 mile marker because it takes you to a landing that is so beautiful! Definitely can feel the breeze from up here after a nice walk or jog. At the end of the trail there is also a fairly long hill going down that is nice if you're wanting to add more hills to your path! You can also start at this hill if you enter decide to park on this end of the trail which is typically less crowded.

    Cityscape
    Hannah B.

    I walked this trail today with my roommates. It's roughly two miles long, which gave us a great 4 mile walk out and back. I would not call this a hike as there is not much elevation gain. The view of the city is wonderful and made me want to come again to catch both a sunrise and a sunset. There were not many people on the trail, but we did pass a few dog walkers and a runner and biker. There was enough activity to not make it feel strange to be the only ones out and about. The first portion of the trail is paved and then it turns into gravel, which is great for running as it's better on joints. I loved this walk and definitely look forward to warmer days in the future to get back out there! Such a great way to get to view the Magic City up close while exercising and enjoying nature.

    View of downtown
    Julie S.

    This is a short trail below the Vulcan statue and gardens. There is a parking lot on one side of the trail, but not at the other entrance. The trails provides views of downtown and is mostly flat, and paved. However, running to get to the trail is not easy.

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    7 years ago

    Very chill and easy. Good view of the city. Can extend Longer if you like to walk in the woods!

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    Review Highlights - Vulcan Trail

    The trail offers scenic views of the city, lush greenery, and a peaceful environment for walking, running, or biking.

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    Red Mountain Park

    Red Mountain Park

    4.7(80 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    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.

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    Red Mountain Park
    Red Mountain Park
    Red Mountain Park

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    Rails to Trails - Signage at Black Creek Park

    Rails to Trails

    5.0(1 review)
    6.7 mi

    The 3.4 mile Rails to Trails greenway is definitely one of most enjoyable trails I've trained on…read more You can easily start this trail at Black Creek Park (or cut off .4 miles and start at Fultondale's Bark Park), both with plenty of parking and bathroom facilities. The trail was completed as part of a city project, turning an old rail bed, from which the ties and rails have been pulled up, into a fully operational walking/running/biking and hiking trail, which leads to a flat, albeit curvy trail. Also, be aware of the ravines, if you're not a strong biker or have a fear of heights, this might not be the path for you. If you went over the edge of this trail, you wouldn't be unscathed. But, on the plus side, it is an absolutely beautiful path, gravel and running all along Black Creek. Mostly shaded with large trees and rock walls throughout. The trail is dog friendly, and although you won't find doggie bags, you will find trashcans at every .5 mile. Also, you'll find mile markers every 1/2 mile as well as benches (and even an old blue shed at mile 1.5). The trail has no accessibility once you're past the Bark Park and no bathrooms or water fountains. I ran all the way to Shady Grove Road, which was .4 miles past the last mile marker (mile 3). When you reach the end, there's no signage and only a tiny area that has been cleared for parking. You could access the trail from here as well, but you'd have to know where it is to find it. I did notice that A "trail" continues on the other side of Shady Grove Road, but it's dirt path and technically isn't part of the Rails to Trails path. Maybe the city will continue to improve upon this in the future? Regardless, this is a very pleasant trail: gravel, miles labeled, safe, mostly shaded and with bathroom facilities at the start.

    Photos
    Rails to Trails - Near the 3 mile mark, one stream of Black Creek ends in a beautiful body of water seen from the trail.

    Near the 3 mile mark, one stream of Black Creek ends in a beautiful body of water seen from the trail.

    Rails to Trails - Views of the trail.

    Views of the trail.

    Rails to Trails - Trail views.

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    Trail views.

    Oak Mountain State Park - Flowering, parasitic ghost plants

    Oak Mountain State Park

    4.6(120 reviews)
    11.4 mi

    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.

    I absolutely love going out to Oak Mountain. I have been several times with my sister and on my…read moreown. There's plenty to keep you busy no matter your interest or the season. I personally love going for a hike and bringing my pup along. Plus, there's so many great spots to stop and enjoy a picnic My husband and I plan to come and visit the golf course soon. As well as pack our bows to practice at the archery course.

    Photos
    Oak Mountain State Park - The kings chair trail is steep and flat but totally worth it!

    The kings chair trail is steep and flat but totally worth it!

    Oak Mountain State Park
    Oak Mountain State Park - Tent camping

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    Tent camping

    Vulcan Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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