From mountains to wetlands to waterfalls, Madison County offers incredible outdoor scenery. State parks and nature preserves are some of the best spots to hit the trails in the Huntsville area with everything from family-friendly walking loops to strenuous uphill hikes crisscrossing through the woods and mountains.
The Land Trust of North Alabama maintains over 10,000 acres and 80 miles of trails in 10 different preserves, and most of them are right here in the Huntsville area. If you’re looking for the best hikes in Huntsville, the parks and trails below showcase the diverse landscapes of Madison County.
Monte Sano State Park
Monte Sano State Park is one of Huntsville’s best hiking destinations, offering more than 20 miles of trails of varying difficulty. Popular paths like the South Plateau Loop and the Mountain Mist Trail offer breathtaking overlooks of the Tennessee Valley, especially vibrant during the fall season. For a challenging adventure, try the McKay Hollow Trail, which involves some elevation changes as you climb up and down rocky sections.
In addition to hiking and biking routes, Monte Sano has picnic areas, campsites, glamping, and even rustic cabins, making it an ideal spot for a little getaway near Huntsville.
Monte Sano Nature Preserve
West of the state park and just a couple of miles from downtown Huntsville, Monte Sano Nature Preserve adds even more opportunities for outdoor adventures. Managed by the Land Trust of North Alabama, it’s one of the largest urban land preserves in the country. More than 1,100 acres of protected land and 22-plus miles of trails wind through hardwood forests and past trickling waterfalls and caves.
Notable hikes include the Old Railroad Bed Trail along the historic Monte Sano Railway and the Three Caves Loop around the remains of a limestone quarry.
Madison County Nature Trail on Green Mountain
The perfect scenic loop hike in the Huntsville area has to be the Madison County Nature Trail on Green Mountain, which pops with colors in fall. It’s a 1.5-mile path around a pretty lake with a covered bridge, old log cabin, and wooden chapel along the way. The easy hike is perfect for a relaxed stroll or family outing, and the park also has picnic tables and a fishing pier (fishing fee applies).
Bethel Springs Nature Preserve
Bethel Springs Nature Preserve is a bit of a hidden gem on the far eastern side of Madison County in New Hope. Managed by the Land Trust, the Keel Mountain park preserves 360 acres of working farmlands, a spring, historic sites, and forests. While there are less than 2 miles of trails here currently, you can make a fun loop route on all of them to walk along a creek and uphill to a waterfall that cascades over the rocks and into a cave below.
Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
With some of the best panoramic views of Madison County, Blevins Gap Nature Preserve in South Huntsville has over a dozen trails in two different sections. The Bill and Marion Certain Trail is a favorite, which you can loop with the West Bluff Trail for a moderately difficult hike with fantastic overlooks from both sides of the mountain.
Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve
The trails at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve welcome hiking, biking, and horseback riding (so watch where you step). Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Huntsville, the Land Trust park borders Alabama A&M, and some trails incorporate the university’s property. You can hop on easy half-mile paths here, but the best way to get some exercise is to follow a route along the Terry Trail and Bulldog Trail for about a 3-mile loop.
Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve
Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve in Madison is a fun spot for steep hikes on rocky terrain with some cool formations. While there are some easier paths like the Balanced Rock Trail near the trailhead, the classic route is the 1.53-mile Rainbow Loop Trail to see caves, springs, woodlands, and wildflowers. You can extend it further by adding on the Ja Moo Koo Loop for a 2.5-mile hike.
Hays Nature Preserve
More than 10 miles of walking trails and greenways make up the Hays Nature Preserve, a Huntsville city park in Owens Cross Roads. The hiking and biking paths are mostly easy and flat, tracing the Flint River along small lakes and wetlands. The park is a part of the North Alabama Birding Trail and connects to the Big Cove Greenway.
Beaverdam Creek Boardwalk
Part of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, the Beaver Dam Boardwalk is an easy and family-friendly hike in Madison. This is a great spot to look for wetlands wildlife like turtles, frogs, and birds. The path runs for half a mile on gravel and boardwalk, making for a 1-mile, out-and-back hike.
