BIRMINGHAM – Take a hike. Hit the trail.
However you want to phrase it, the Alabama Tourism Department has launched the Year of Alabama Trails campaign, a multi-year initiative from 2025-26 to celebrate the state’s extensive trail systems and its positive impact on tourism, conservation, quality of life for Alabama and economic development.
Officials unveiled Alabama’s 25 Must-Tread Trails for 2025 encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore the top hiking, biking and paddle trails that make Alabama a top outdoor destination. Alabama Tourism was joined by partners representing the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama Trails Foundation, Freshwater Land Trust, Innovate Alabama and Rails to Trails Conservancy.
“For more than 20 years, our ‘Year Of’ campaigns have introduced visitors to the people, places and experiences that make Alabama unique,” said Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell. “Trails offer one of the most immersive ways to explore our state — whether from the seat of a bike, the path beneath your boots or the pull of a paddle. This year, we’re inviting everyone to get outside and experience Alabama’s natural beauty in a way only our trails can provide.”
As the Year of Alabama Trails unfolds, a series of events and programs throughout the spring will encourage residents and visitors to engage with Alabama’s natural resources. Next month’s Innovate Alabama Outdoor Recreation Summit at Lake Guntersville State Park kicks off the events. The statewide discussion on how outdoor recreation fuels economic growth and workforce retention is set for April 21-22.
Outdoor recreation contributes $6.6 billion annually to Alabama’s economy, supporting more than 65,000 jobs and accounting for 2% of the state’s GDP, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. A 2021 Hoover Institution report recognized outdoor recreation as a key factor in Alabama’s economic growth and workforce retention.
The Year of Alabama Trails will build on this momentum, encouraging more people to explore and experience the state’s landscapes in ways that are both accessible and unforgettable.
“The Alabama Year of Trails provides an opportunity to highlight our state’s incredible natural beauty and recreational opportunities,” said Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “With more than 250 miles of trails available at our State Parks and the unique experiences offered by the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust, including hiking the stunning Walls of Jericho, the thrill of mountain biking Coldwater Mountain, and the tranquil day trips and overnight opportunities on the Bartram and Perdido canoe trails in south Alabama, we are proud to offer exceptional hiking, biking and paddling opportunities to all Alabamians.
“I encourage everyone to explore the wide variety of trails and adventures available throughout the state this year.”
Many of Alabama’s premier trails are within its 21 state parks, spanning more than 250 miles and 48,000 acres from the Gulf Coast to the Appalachians. Recent state park improvements have expanded access, while year-round programs, like guided hikes, volunteer cleanups and educational initiatives, promote community stewardship.
The 171-mile Pinhoti Trail in East Alabama connects hikers to the Appalachian Trail while the 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail, Alabama’s first rails-to-trails project, brings cyclists closer to nature. The Red Rock Trail System expands urban trail access in Central Alabama while the Singing River Trail links communities in North Alabama. For paddlers, the Bartram Canoe Trail winds through the depths of “America’s Amazon” in Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
“Investing in Alabama’s trails strengthens communities, boosts local economies and expands outdoor access,” said Paul DeMarco, Alabama Trails Foundation Board President. “The Pinhoti Trail in East Alabama is a prime example, enhancing recreation opportunities while driving tourism and economic growth in the surrounding trail communities. Results-oriented investment across Alabama’s trails is a win-win for both residents and visitors.”
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