Buggytop Cave

Buggytop Cave

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free

Buggytop Cave is a cave waterfall located south of Sewanee, TN. The hike will take you through woods, along a cliffside, and down the side of the cliff to a large cave.

Find nearby hikes:
Sewanee Natural Bridge
Russell Cave National Monument
Foster Falls

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Buggytop Cave is located 1.5 hours northeast from Huntsville.

You can Google Buggytop Cave or click here for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

There is a fairly large parking lot that that could fit a dozen or 2 cars. The trailhead is well-marked. 

Trails

There is very limited trails in this area. 1 trail that takes you to the cliff edge. From the cliff edge (pictured) the trail splits to go to Peter Cave and Buggytop Cave. The initial trail starts off uphill and transitions to a downhill hike. The trail to Buggytop follows a cliff edge and is downhill and difficult. The trail to Peter Cave also follows a cliff edge, is moderate, and offers views of the surrounding area.

The trails are fairly well marked with white trail markings on the trees.

 

Trail to Buggytop Cave

As mentioned above, the trail to Buggytop follows a cliff edge and winds down the side of the cliff. This can get slippery and steep in places. Be careful and wear proper boots.

Buggytop Cave

Buggytop Cave is a giant wild cave. The inside of the cave is only open from May 1 to August 31 each year. You will need to sign a waiver before entering. A helmet, headlamp, extra batteries, and appropriate shoes/clothing should be used while caving. Never cave alone. Caving is a dangerous activity. To learn how to cave safely without damaging the cave’s ecosystem, join your local grotto.

Trail to Peter Cave

The hike to Peter Cave is moderate and will take you past a beautiful view of the valley (pictured). You’ll pass another cave on your right, a creek bed, and you’ll run right into Peter Cave.

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Peter Cave

Peter Cave is an elongated cave that looks like it drops down right out of sight of the opening.

The inside of the cave is only open from May 1 to August 31 each year. You will need to sign a waiver before entering. A helmet, headlamp, extra batteries, and appropriate shoes/clothing should be used while caving. Never cave alone. Caving is a dangerous activity. To learn how to cave safely without damaging the cave’s ecosystem, join your local grotto.

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Sewanee Natural Bridge

Sewanee Natural Bridge

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 100 yards
Cost: Free

Natural Bridge Hiking Trail is a very cool, easy-to-find Natural Bridge in Southeast Teneessee. This one does not require much hiking. If you are looking for a longer hike, I suggest checking out Buggy Top Cave nearby.

Find hiking locations nearby:
Foster Falls
Russell Cave National Monument

Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Natural Bridge Hiking Trail is located a little under 1.5 hours northeast of Huntsville in Tennessee.

Google the name or click here for directions.

Parking Lot/Trailhead

The parking lot is easy to find with enough space for 10+ cars. There are signs at the trailhead. The trail is just a short walk down some naturally built steps to the natural bridge.

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Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge is easy to find. Just follow the path. The path offers a way for you to walk over the bridge and you can find your way down to the base of the bridge. Head out the way you came in.

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Burgess Falls

Burgess Falls

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: Paddle 2 miles/hike 0.2 miles (depending on water levels)
Entry Cost: Free
Opens: 8AM Daily
Closes: 30 minutes before sunset

Burgess Falls is a very large powerful waterfall located in Sparta, TN Norht of Huntsville. This waterfall is accessible by boat at the bottom or a hike to the view from above.

If you need a kayak, you can rent one from Cumberland Kayak Adventure nearby. They are open seasonally.

Find hikes nearby:
Rock Island State Park
Fall Creek Falls

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Burgess Falls is about 2.5 hours North of Huntsville near Sparta, TN.

The parking lot for kayaking to the bottom of the falls does not pop up on Google when you search for “Burgess Falls”. Click here for directions.

Parking Lot

There is plenty of parking in the parking lot. If you don’t have a kayak to paddle, you can always rent one from Cumberland Kayak Adventure nearby! There is plenty of room to unload and park. This place is busy during the summer months. There are porta-potties in the parking lot.

The Paddle

The paddle is easy, but it is 2 miles. Most of the time the water is lake-like conditions without any noticeable current. As you get towards the end of the paddle you will be paddling against the current. 

Boat landing

Where you pull off depends on how high the water levels are. The higher the water levels, the farther up the river you can go. I’ve seen pictures where you can kayak all the way up to the falls. You will need to pull off on the right (looking upstream) and hike along that bank to get to the falls. The hiking is technical in some places and very flat and easy in others. 

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Burgess Falls

The waterfall is super powerful and creates a mist in the air. It is massive and a beautiful sight. You can swim at the bottom during the summer!

Yellow Creek Falls

We ran out of time, so we did not go to the overlook (photo credit: wiki). It looks like you can park here and take the trail “Burgess Falls Dr”. 

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Cave Trail – Lake Guntersville State Park

Cave Trail – Lake Guntersville State Park

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.25 miles round trip
Cost: Free

The cave at Lake Guntersville State Park is a very cool, easy-to-find Cave in Lake Guntersville State Park.

Find hiking locations nearby:
Waterfall at Red Mill
High Falls
Buck’s Pocket

Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Lake Guntersville State Park is located around 1 hour southeast of Huntsville.

Click here for directions to parking.

Parking Lot/Trailhead

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

There isn’t a set parking lot, but a pull-off along the road. There is a trail next to the pull-off. Follow the trail.

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Cave

This cave is very easy to find. It is located less than 100 yards off of the road. Its a pretty rock garden. There are miles of trails attached to this trail. It is all worth exploring!

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Honeycomb Cave

Honeycomb Cave

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.25 miles round trip
Cost: Free

Honeycomb “Cave” appears to be an old mine that was transitioned into a fall-out shelter during the Cold War.

Find hiking locations nearby:
Honeycomb Natural Bridge
Cathedral Caverns

Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Honeycomb “Cave” is located a little over 30 minutes southeast of Huntsville.

It does not pop up on Google when you search for it, so click here for directions.

Parking Lot/Trailhead

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

There isn’t a true parking lot, just a gravel pull off on the side of the road. There is a gravel trail that leads directly to the cave. It is very short and easy to follow.

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Honeycomb Cave

I have been told this is technically an abandoned mine, not a cave and from the looks of it, it very much appears to be a mine. TVA prohibits entering caves due to disturbing the bat population. 

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Cave Springs

Cave Springs

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.25 miles round trip
Cost: Free

Cave Springs is a very cool, easy-to-find Cave in Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.

Find hiking locations nearby:
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Rock House Caves
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge

Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Cave Springs is located a little over 30 minutes southwest of Huntsville.

It does not pop up on Google when you search for it, so click here for directions.

Parking Lot/Trailhead

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

There isn’t a set parking lot, but a pull-off next to the road. There is a gate where you park. This gate is open during certain times of the year. The cave is about 50 yds from the parking spot. You do not go down the road, but instead up the hill next to the cars. The cave is very easy to find.

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Natural Bridge

The cave is easy to find. You cannot go into the majority of the cave, but you can enjoy the view in the picture above. Majority of the cave is gated off to protect endangered bats.

Cave Coordinates: 34.546325649892445, -86.85126730904689

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Cheaha State Park

Cheaha State Park

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on trail
Distance: Depends on the trail

Entry Fee*:
Adults Age 12+: $5.00
Ages 4-11: $2.00
Seniors 62+: $2.00
Active Military: $2.00
Kids 3 and under are free

Annual Park Pass:
Individual: $105.00
Family: $155.00
Senior/Disabled: $55.00

Cheaha State Park is located just south of Anniston, AL in Delta. Click this link for directions.

Tallest Point in Alabama

Mount Cheaha has the highest point in the state of Alabama at 2,413 ft. At the highest point is an observation deck that offers 360 degree views. Click here for directions here. The parking lot is about 50 ft from the observation tower and is fairly easy to navigate, although the observation deck has sever flights of stairs.

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Pulpit Rock

The trail to Pulpit Rock is fairly short, less than 1 mile roundtrip. It is moderately rated. There is a very small parking area here (link), alongside the road. The hike offers a beautiful view.

Rock Garden

Rock Garden is a very short, 0.5-mile roundtrip hike and is rated moderate to difficult. This short hike starts with views from the parking lot next to Cheaha’s amazing cabins and ends with some of the best views in Alabama. After a rain, you can see Angels Falls running. The trail continues downhill to Cheaha Like. You can find parking here. 

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Rutledge Falls

Rutledge Falls

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Cost: Free

Rutledge Falls is a great swimming hole and a very wide waterfall in Tennessee. It is located on private property, but the owners are incredibly kind enough to allow people to visit, so please (as always) be sure to leave no trace.

Check out nearby locations:
Machine Falls
Foster Falls

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Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Rutledge Falls is located about an hour Northeast of Huntsville near Manchester, TN.

Click this link for directions!

Parking Lot

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

The parking is along the road. There is enough parking for a dozen cars and then it appears that the church nearby allows people to park there if needed. Remember to be mindful of parking on Sundays during church hours and potentially either visit another waterfall, or finding alternate parking in the area.

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Trailhead 

If you walk from the parking lot away from the church, you will come across an opening in the fence for you to go through. Go through here and follow the path. This is a very easy waterfall to find and there aren’t very many trails here.

Rutledge Falls

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

You can explore the area. I saw people at the top of the waterfall (I had my kid with me and didn’t see how they got up there) and I saw people heading downstream. Its a great place to explore and SWIM!

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Painted Falls

Painted Falls

Difficulty: Difficult – NO TRAIL
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Entry Fee: Free

Painted Falls is a secluded waterfall in the Bankhead National Forest. There is no trail to this waterfall. You will be bushwacking your way through the forest.

You must catch these waterfalls after heavy rain.

GPS Location of waterfall: 34.284775, -87.274711

This area is part of dispersed recreation in Bankhead National Forest. There is NO MAINTAINED TRAIL. Please note that dispersed recreation sometimes has a "social trail" that you can follow. Some of these are easy to follow and some of them you cannot follow. Please note that these trails can change very quickly and may be easy to follow one season and completely overgrown the next. Always bring a map, compass, and GPS with you while hiking Bankhead National Forest.

If you are still using your phone for navigation. You should at least buy a power bank.

Bankhead Map
Buy a printed map here.

Check out nearby Hikes:
Coal Mine Falls
Holmes Chapel Falls
Collier Creek Falls

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Painted Falls is located an hour and a half’s drive southwest from Huntsville. It is located in Bankhead National Forest

You cannot just Google Painted Falls, click here for directions!

Trailhead/Parking Lot

The parking lot is not marked. This is one of the two parking you can take to go to Coal Mine Falls as well. To get to this waterfall, you will be bushwacking your way through the underbrush. Be sure to you a GPS device to help you navigate.

First Waterfall

This waterfall only is running if it has recently rained significantly. You will likely catch this one dry.

GPS location: 34.281641, -87.282410

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Painted Falls

After you go past the first waterfall, you’ll make your way following Bushy Creek up stream. You will come across your first stream on your right and follow it until you get to Painted Falls.

Again, this is bushwhacking. If you are not comfortable following the map provided I suggest going to Sougahoagdee Falls or Holmes Chapel Falls nearby instead!

GPS Location of waterfall: 34.284775, -87.274711

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