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Family hiking along trail

Hiking

Get Outside on Blount County Trails

Blount County’s hiking options range from easy nature walks and riverbank rambles to short-but-scenic climbs with big views. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring limestone terrain, or stretching your legs near a historic covered bridge, these trail spots make it easy to build a half-day or full-day outdoor plan—then round it out with nearby scenic drives, parks, and local stops.
Download the Blount County Hiking Guide (PDF)

The Hikes

Swann Covered Bridge Park

Lots of easy to mild scenic walks around the park. No amenities yet. Not yet handicap accessible.
  • Access: The Swann Covered Bridge is closed to vehicles, but the park is open to pedestrians and vehicle access is possible from the Nectar(west) side of the river. (Street Address: 1590 Swann Bridge Road)
  • Features: Hands-on view of the longest covered bridge in Alabama; 3/8mile of natural river bank and river access; swimming/sunning/picnicbeach; Swann Bluff (100+ feet feet of sheer sand & limestone); access to Powell Falls

Powell Falls

A moderate 30-minute hike to impressive 8-foot twin-falls
  • Access: From river-right (west) side of Swann Covered Bridge (see above) – head down stream. You cannot miss the falls (you are within a stone’s throw of the river at all times).
  • Features: Lovely river bank scenery – gorgeous in the fall; continuous rock cliff to the west; it’s usually cool in this narrow river canyon. FLFR leads this hike every October as part of the Covered Bridge Festival.

Horton Mill

A moderate 30 minute hike (each way) to the site of the historic Horton Mill. FLFR leads this hike every November.
  • Access: From Horton Mill Covered Bridge (Hwy 75, three miles north of Oneonta); walk down under the bridge and proceed upstream (north). In a half-mile or so you will encounter a dilapidated stone wall on your right – this is all that remains of the historic Horton Mill. (see Horton Mill platte here)
  • Features: Hands-on view of the highest covered bridge in Alabama; an impressive creek-cut gap in the rock below; a lovely scenic hike up a narrow canyon; Note: the creek (Calvert Prong) flows north up Murphree’s Valley from Oneonta and appears to be flowing uphill at Horton Mill gap (it’s not, of course).

Graves Creek / Mardis Mill Falls

A moderate to difficult 20 minute hike (each way) down a delightful little canyon below Mardis Mill Falls (one of Top Ten Waterfalls in North Alabama).
  • Access: From the US 231/79 Bridge in Cleveland – go north, at the “Y” take Hwy 79 to Guntersville, you’re going uphill – just over the crown, turn right at the 4 way crossroads onto Mardis Mill Road. In a ¼ mile cross the bridge and park.
  • Features:The greatest difficulty is descending the rocks to the Mardis Mill Falls – which dozens of young people do every day in summer. The Falls is a classic country swimming hole complete with rope swing. The canyon below is surprisingly quiet and isolated . . .and pretty.

Cornelius Mill Falls/ Taylor Ford

A moderate to difficult one-hour hike (each way) to a beautiful set of falls and exposed rock. May through September are wonderful for swimming and playing in the falls. It’s also a great lunch spot. Or just wade in the river and explore.
  • Access: To the Falls from Taylor Ford – you’re on river-right so just proceed down the riverbank. It’s an undeveloped trail so occasionally you’re bushwhacking through recent growth. About 40 minutes downriver there is a spot where you may use your hands to scramble over some rock, but on the other side it’s an easy stroll to the falls.
  • Features: Wading, swimming, sunning; exploring the 100 yards of exposed cliffs; some remains of the old mill are still apparent

Palisades Park

Hikes range from the easy 0.1 mile Dogwood Trail to the moderate 1.0 mile Rocky Trail. Perhaps the most scenic trail is the unmarked but easily followed trail at the base of the climbing rocks – about a half- mile with several access points. Palisades Park is a popular spot for rock climbers.
  • Access: From Oneonta, drive US 231 north/east for 2.5 miles and follow signs to Palisades Park.
  • Features: Easy access scenic views, spectacular view from the Fire Tower; historic cabins; picnic pavilions; playgrounds.

Hiking at Rickwood Caverns State Park

Learn more about hiking at Rickwood Caverns State Park

Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail

The fossil mountain hiking trail is 1.25 mile. long that takes you up the limestone covered mountainside. While you enjoy the peaceful hike, you can search for fossils imprinted among the rocks. Wildflowers and resurrection ferns cover the unique limestone outcrops along the trail.

Picnic Loop Trail

The picnic loop trail is .8 of a mile and is an easy walk through wooded forest. The beginning of the trail takes you past a fenced in graveyard from the original property owners, which has a marker for a Revolutionary War Veteran.

Moss Rock Connector Trail

The newest trail is the Moss Rock Connector Trail which can be accessed from Fossil Mountain Trail or Picnic Loop Trail. This .5 mile trail gives you the opportunity to hike three trails in one for up to a 2 mile hike.