Tour of Alabama’s Trails
Alabama’s Rotary Trail
Across Alabama, a tapestry of trails weaves together the state’s magnificent landscapes, forests, mountains and waterways with the history, culture and heritage that make its towns and cities special.
This spring, Rails to Trails Conservancy is bringing together partners from across the state to host a tour of northern Alabama’s best trails and developing trail networks that are driving new economic opportunity and community connections.
Exploring Alabama

This invitation-only event, April 23 – 26, 2025, will immerse guests in all that sets the region apart as an outdoor destination alongside its rich history at the origins of the nation’s civil rights movement. Together, we’ll take in the region’s incredible natural and wild spaces. We’ll reflect on the protests and perseverance that catapulted forward the fight for equality and fairness that transformed the country. We will experience the ingenuity and innovation that drove the region’s leadership during the iron and steel revolution of the 20th century, made the region a space and aviation hub, and fuels today’s food, culture and arts renaissance.
Set against the backdrop of a new plan to connect the state’s trails into a powerhouse for the outdoor recreation economy, and a vision to create a seamless connection between Anniston and Birmingham, what better time to embark on this journey than at the moment when Alabama and the nation celebrate the power of trails to create new connections between people and places. The event is an official activity of the state’s “Year of Alabama Trails” campaign and will conclude on “Celebrate Trails Day,” the annual nationwide springtime celebration of joy and impact of trails, organized by RTC.
Trails across the state create an opportunity to take in all that Alabama has to offer in the most intimate way possible—from the seat of your bike, immersed in the sights, sounds and beauty best experienced in the outdoors.
Itinerary
This multi-day bicycle tour will cover nearly 100 miles over 3 days, beginning in Cedartown, Georgia, crossing the state line into Alabama and the Talladega National Forest, traveling the famous Silver Comet-Chief Ladiga trail corridor into historic Anniston. The second day centers on the greater Huntsville region and an exploration of the developing Singing River Trail system. The tour concludes in Magic City, experiencing the energy of Birmingham’s Market at Pepper Place and the trails that weave throughout the city and the surrounding county as part of the Red Rock Trail system.
April 23 – 24: Cedartown, Georgia to Anniston
Cedartown, Georgia, to Anniston on the Chief Ladiga Trail

April 25: Huntsville
Elkmont to Huntsville on the Richard Martin Trail and Aldridge Creek Greenway

April 26: Birmingham
Celebrate Trails Day on the Red Rock Trail System in Birmingham

This tour is appropriate for bicyclists of all skill levels with opportunities for shuttling as needed. Bicycles and helmets will be provided if needed.
All participants are expected to cover their travel and lodging costs. All meals and costs associated with tour activities will be paid for by Rails to Trails Conservancy. Daily rates can be provided for any participants who need to pay for their full costs. Limited scholarships are available.
Guests are invited to join all of the tour or specific days, which can be specified on the registration form.
If you have questions about the tour or your registration status, please reach out to Eduardo Coyotzi Zarate at eduardo@railstotrails.org.
Helpful Information Resources
Here are several links and resources to provide context for the excitement and energy surrounding Alabama’s vision for a statewide trail network and a growing outdoor economy.