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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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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Jones Valley Loop

Jones Valley Loop

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.75 miles round trip
Cost: Free

Jones Valley Loop Trail is a quiet, beautiful trail in Jones Valley with a stream that runs after a good rain.

Find hiking locations nearby:
Blevin’s Gap
Aldridge Creek Greeway

Directions to Monte Sano Trailhead

Jones Valley Loop Trail is located in Huntsville, 14 minutes south of downtown.

You can find the trailhead by searching for “Fanning Trail Trailhead” or clicking here.

Parking Lot/Trailhead

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

The parking lot is the church parking lot for Church of the Nazarene in Jones Valley. The trailhead is located in the back corner behind the church. There is a large trail system. To see the waterfall, follow “Jones Valley Loop Trail”.

Parking lot for hikers and bikers on Monte Sano

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Bailey Cove Falls

Bailey Cove Falls only runs after a significant rain. The waterfall runs underneath a bridge. The trail follows unt he stream and back down the stream. There is a large trail system here 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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Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon

Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on the hike
Distance: Each hike differs
Entry Cost: Free except Canyon Mouth Park and Congo Falls

Little River Canyon is located just east of Fort Payne, AL and is the largest canyon in the state. This canyon’s max depth is over 600 ft in some areas and provides incredible waterfalls, views, and rock features.

Find nearby hikes:
Desoto Falls
Griffin Falls
Yellow Creek Falls

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More Waterfalls
Map directions to Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon is located a little around 1.5 hours from Huntsville, but can be a bit further depending on where you go in the preserve.

Click here for directions to the main parkway. GPS locations for each site are tagged in the sections below under the corresponding picture.

Little River Falls

I have a complete guide to Little River Falls located here.

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Hippie Hole

Hippie Hole Swimming Area

I have a complete guide to Hippie Hole located here.

Hippie Hole Swimming Area

Little River Falls Overlook

The overlook is a quick stop for snapping pictures of Little River Falls along the rim right off the road.

You can park here.

Canyon Overlooks

There are 6 marked overlooks into the canyon. As you go further south, the deeper the canyon gets for these marked overlooks. Below I have them listed in order from the furthest north to the furthest south. Click on the name for a link to google maps.

My favorite 2 are Eberhart Point and Wolf Creek.

Lynn Overlook
Hawks Glide Overlook
Canyon View Overlook
Wolf Creek Overlook
Crow Point Overlook
Eberhart Point Overlook

 

Brooks Branch Falls

Looking down onto Brooks Branch Falls is accessible by parking at Lynn Overlook and following the canyon south, or downstream until you hit this waterfall. 

Where I’m standing to get to this waterfall is very difficult and dangerous. I do not recommend for people without expert hiking and climbing skills. You can still see the waterfall from the top without any skills required.

Lynn Overlook Parking

Mushroom Rock

The Mushroom Rock is a famous rock in the middle of the road. If you drive the rim of the canyon, you will pass this. There’s a nice boulder field you can walk around right next to it.

Mushroom Rock Directions

Grace’s High Falls

Grace’s High Falls is the tallest ABOVE GROUND waterfall in the State of Alabama with a height of 133 ft.

This is just a stop for the overlook. It is possible to hike to the bottom of the falls, but I have not done it. Until I do, here’s Southern Outing’s blog on it. I cannot speak for their accuracy, but it looks good from a quick review!

Lynn Overlook Parking

Dee’s Branch Falls

Dee’s Branch Falls has no trail and a steep incline to get down to it. It is short, but you will be bushwhacking and have a risk of sliding the entire time. 

Parking for Dee’s Branch Falls

Congo Falls

Congo Fall’s (Also known as Johnnie’s Creek Falls) is a short stop along the Rim with a waterfall. This stop requires a paid permit which you can get here.

Congo Falls Directions

Canyon Mouth Park

Canyon Mouth Park is a great swimming hole in the summer, has a mile of parking, bathrooms, and other features like picnic tables and grills.

This area does cost (updated (4/13/2023) $15 per car.

You can find out more about Canyon Mouth Park here.

Canyon Mouth Parking

That Spot You Cannot Miss

This is one of my favorite spots in Alabama. There’s no marker, no trailhead, nothing but a spot where you can fit 1 car next to the side of the road. When you park and walk 20 ft it opens up to this view. There are bolts here for either climbers or rappelers. This is an absolute must-stop.

Directions here.

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Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls

What you need to know

Parking
Map It
Difficulty

Difficult, Difficult to find

Point of Interest
Map to POI

Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 3 miles total
Entry Fee: Free (Donation Box Available)

Grotto Falls is located in Green Mountain Nature Preserve and is located on Green Mountain in Huntsville, AL. The Land Trust of North Alabama owns the land. The trailhead parking lot is right past the Madison County Nature Trail (assuming you are coming from Huntsville and not Owens Cross Roads).

GPS Coordinates: 34.5897720, -86.5172780

Buy Land Trust Maps here

Find nearby hikes:
Alum Hallow
Green Mountain Nature Trail

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More Waterfalls

Grotto Falls 1.5 mile each way (3 mile return) scenic hike to a small waterfall that disappears into a cave.  Part of this trail is well-marked but most of this trail is difficult to follow. 

Google Maps Alum Hollow Trail or look at our map above!

Trail

This is not an easy trail to follow. On the interactive map above, I’ve marked the path to the waterfall in Yellow. The hike starts on Alum Hallow Trail. Early on the trail, there is an option to take a left onto Talus Trail. There are signs warning that the trail is very difficult. You will follow Talus Trail all the way to the end. At the end of Talus Trail, Talus Trail Connector is off to the right and is well marked. THIS IS NOT the trail you are taking. You will look into the woods to the LEFT and there are ribbons on a trial with no signs. I’ve heard this called Talus Trail Extended and it is NOT on the Land Trust Hiking Map. Follow these ribbons through the woods and down the mountain. You’ll continue to follow the trail and will eventually follow a valley back uphill (pictured are the cliff face you’ll be passing). 

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Grotto Falls

The valley will fork into a valley on the left and right. You’ll follow it up to the right to the waterfall.

This waterfall is NOT easy to find. I suggest plugging in the coordinates of the waterfall into your GPS to help assist in finding it.

GPS Coordinates: 34.5897720, -86.5172780

Leave the same way you hiked in.

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Sauta Cave

Sauta Cave

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.5 miles round trip
Entry Fee: Free

Sauta Cave Wildlife Refuge is a Wildlife refuge with a giant cave located in east, AL a little over an 30 minutes away from Huntsville and is a great place to get out, hike and see a bit of Alabama’s biodiversity.

Find nearby hikes:
Cathedral Caverns
Walls of Jericho
Weathington Park

These underwear are what hikers wear.

Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge is located a little 30 minutes east of Huntsville, AL. 

Click this link or look at our map above!

Parking Lot/Trailhead

Parking is just alongside the easement on this road. There is a gate that should be locked that prevents you from parking closer to the cave. It is a short walk to the cave. Just follow the road and you will come across a boardwalk on your right.

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Cave

The trail is an easy, short walk to the cave and is very easy to find. There are signs along the boardwalk about the history and animals in this location. There are more hiking trails in this area that we didn’t explore. Head back to your car the same way you came.

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