Mardis Mill Falls

Mardis Mill Falls

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 0.2 miles
Entry Fee: Free

Mardis Mill Falls is a beautiful and serene waterfall just south of Blountsville, AL. Enjoy swimming, bouldering and hiking along the river bed.

Posted By: Anton Etenko

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Mardis Mill Falls is only an hour south of Huntsville.

Google Mardis Mill Falls or look at the map provided above!

 

Trailhead and Parking

This is not a park, so there are no trailhead signs. The trailhead is near the bridge on the Northside of the road. You can park on the road right before the trailhead. 

Trail

The trail is easy to follow despite that it isn’t marked. Once you cross the one-lane bridge, it will be on your right before the 90-degree turn. Walk down the rocky path to the falls and enjoy walking the river bed downstream!

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Waterfall

There is plenty of depth in the water to swim, even in periods of light rain! A rope swing is provided for those brave enough to jump. Swim across the falls to the overhead rock formations or walk down the rocky river bed for more scenic views!

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Lost Sink Trail – Keel Mountain Preserve

Lost Sink Trail – Keel Mountain Preserve

Rating: Moderate
Distance: 3 Miles Total
Entry Cost: Free

CAUTION: 
Beware of Sinkholes
Hard to follow trails
Plenty of thorns

Download Trail Map from the Land Trust of North Alabama website!

Lost Sink trail on Keel Mountain Preserve is an uphill hike to a very cool large sinkhole with a waterfall disappearing underground.

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Lost Sink Trail is located on Keel Mountain in Gurley southeast of downtown Huntsville.

Google Maps Keel Mountain Preserve or look at our map above!

Video by: SparrowDroneHSV

Trailhead/Parking Lot

This parking lot is not marked but is still apparent when you are passing by. Looking in, you will see a gravel parking lot with a trailhead map in the back right corner (shown in picture) and a Keel Mountain Sign. The trailhead is very well marked by a large sign.  The parking lot is big enough to hold about a dozen cars.

Trail

The trail continuously changes from rock path to dirt path the entire way. There are plenty of thorny vines around, so be careful to stay on the path. The path is not always well marked so pay attention! If you lose the path, just backtrack until you find the trail again. The path is heavily uphill, so be prepared to hike hard!

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Downed Trees

There are several downed trees on the path. Some of these trees appear to have several paths coming off of them. When you see this downed tree (shown), be sure to go down and to the left and not up and to the right. If you feel like there shouldn’t be downed trees, we agree! Help the land trust clear these paths and Volunteer!

Trail Signs

All of the trail signs looked like the picture provided (Yellow arrow with green background). Most of them direct you exactly where you need to go.

WHEN YOU SEE THIS TORN SIGN, GO UP TO THE RIGHT, do not go straight. It is the only sign I found misleading.

Waterfall

CAUTION: Be careful going down to the bottom of the falls and around the falls! The bottom is very slippery and is a 30ft+ drop into a cave where you are not likely to have cell phone service!

The waterfall is visually spectacular and unique, especially Spring/Summer/Fall when everything is very green and there are thick moss and ferns growing everywhere. You can hike up behind the sinkhole, but be sure you respect the no human zones!

Sink Holes

CAUTION: If you are with CHILDREN or DOGS, please keep them CLOSE! There are sinkholes around this area which have provided us with the beautiful waterfall, but also give us dangerous sinkholes that go straight down 100 ft. We repelled into one once and I remember ascending every foot of rope. If you are not an experienced caver DO NOT attempt to repel into these caves. Verticle caving is a VERY DANGEROUS activity and there is plenty that can go wrong. If you are interested in learning how to cave, please join the Huntsville Grotto.

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Welti Falls

Welti Falls

EDITED BLOG POST! This is private property with “No Tresspassing” signs. Do not go here.

 

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 1 mile
Entry Fee: Free

Welti Falls is a beautiful waterfall located south of Cullman, AL. This is a great place to swim if the water is flowing and explore!

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Welti Falls is a little more than an hour’s drive from Huntsville.

DO NOT just type in “Welti Falls” into Google Maps. It will take you to the north side with no apparent way to get down to the falls. Instead, click here for the location of the parking lot.

Trailhead and Parking

This is not a park, so there are no trailhead signs. The trailhead is near the bridge on the Northside of the road. There are “No Parking” signs along the road. We actually parked there, but of course park at your own risk. We could not find any alternative parking.

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Trail

The trail isn’t well marked but is still fairly easy to follow. If you can’t find the trail, just follow the river. The trail is only 1/2 a mile to get to the waterfall, so even if you have to make your own path, it doesn’t take very long to get to the waterfall. The trail is trashed, so if you wish to be a good citizen, bring a bag and pack some of the trash out!

Waterfall

The waterfall can be bustling or dripping depending on the amount of rain. If the water is still, I suggest not swimming in it. Otherwise, it’s a great place to relax and cool off in the summer heat. You can also find your way to the top of the falls to get a different view of the falls. Take the same trail you came in on to get back to the car.

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DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 Miles total
Fee: $4 per vehicle

Desoto Falls is a very short hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in Alabama! Parking is right next to the very top of the falls and you can follow the steps down to view the entire waterfall.

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Desoto Falls is an hour and a half drive from Huntsville.

Google Maps Desoto Falls or look at our map above!

Parking

There are 2 parking areas. The dirt parking lot pictured is the parking for the bottom of the waterfall and the view of the waterfall. If you continue down the road, you can find the asphalt parking lot for the top of the falls.

Top of the Falls Asphalt Parking: Location
Bottom and view of the Falls Dirt Parking: Location

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View of the Waterfall

The hike to the view is fairly easy though it gets tight towards the end of the hike. There is a sign that points you down the correct path. The path splits and comes back together several times. As long as you are following the ridgeline, you will eventually find views of the waterfalls.

Park Here

Hike to the Bottom of the Falls

This is a short but tough hike. There are markers to point you in the right direction. Follow your way down to the river, and follow the river up to the falls. The hike is fairly difficult and is only about a mile. 

Park Here

Waterfalls

It is a very easy hike down to the falls. You can get a great intimate view of the upper falls (Pictured) and get a beautiful view of the main falls (Main Picture).

Kayaking

Kayaks are available for rent at the top of the dam. 

Single Kayaks: $15/hr
Tandem Kayaks: $25/hr

Swim and Picnic

Right next to parking there is a picnic area where you can swim in the Little River. Take some time to get a bite to eat while enjoying nature!

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Hippie Hole – Little River Canyon

Hippie Hole – Little River Canyon

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.5 miles (Round Trip)
Cost: Free

Hippie Hole is a beautiful swimming hole in Little River Canyon. The trail is very short and the canyon offers a beautiful place to swim. The trail is heavily trafficked and the canyon can get very busy.

Find nearby swimming holes:
Little River Falls
Desoto Falls

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Hippie Hole is an hour and a half drive East of Huntsville in Little River Canyon.

Update: As of Summer 2020, Hippie Hole Parking is closed. In order to get to Hippie Hole, park at Little River Falls.

Google Maps Little River Falls Parking or look at our map above!

Trailhead

The old trailhead and parking lot is now closed. You will need to park at the parking lot for Little River Falls. There are restrooms available for use.

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Trail

The trail is mostly easy. You will follow the boardwalk until its first switchback. There is a dirt path you will follow into the woods. Continue down this dirt path until you reach stone-cut steps that will descend into the canyon. At the bottom of the steps is the Hippie Hole.

The Canyon

The canyon is a great place to relax, swim, and jump from the cliffs. Take some time to explore the area. 

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