Experience Alabama’s Appalachian Foothills.
March 2022
Warmer and longer days are ahead which means it’s a great time of the year to spend outdoors enjoying Mother Nature. When it comes to the great outdoors, Alabama does not disappoint. From lakes to mountains, to beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, there are plenty of experiences at your fingertips. Parts of the state border the Appalachian Mountains, in fact, Alabama offers some of the most spectacular views and rock climbing for the outdoor enthusiast. Below are a few of the destinations, attractions and Southern restaurants we recommend that are located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Horse Pens 40
Steele
Horse Pens 40 is a historic outdoor nature park that sits 1500 feet above sea level and is nestled atop Chandler Mountain in Steele at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is known as the third-highest point in the state, and this natural attraction has some of the oldest exposed stones in the world, dating back 600 million to 1.3 billion years. Horse Pens 40 is known among the rock climbing community as a premier bouldering site and the site for one of the legs of the Triple Crown Bouldering Series, the largest bouldering competition in the United States.
The Ridge Outdoor Adventure Resort
Springville
There are over 35 miles of OHV trails at this adventure resort: trails that are available to motorcycles, ATVs and Side-By-Side vehicles. It has an old motocross trail that offers a one-mile track with changes in the natural terrain, elevations and areas for jumping. There is even a pee-wee track for kids who are beginning to ride. There also is a motocross track, known as Area 51, and there is a track for those who are just beginning to learn off-trail.
Noccalula Falls
Gadsden
Noccalula Falls has spectacular views and 500 acres of land that includes hiking trails, campgrounds, historical buildings built in the 1700 and 1800s, and animal habitat. Take a train ride through the park to the cavern under the 90-foot waterfall that drops into a gorge that runs downstream for miles. There is a statue located at the precipice of the mountain that overlooks the falls that is a memorial to the Native American princess who took her life. The legend of the park is that Noccalula was a Cherokee Princess who leaped to her death on her wedding day although she was in love with a brave from her own tribe, her father was forcing her to marry a brave from a neighboring tribe. To this day some visitors say she still mourns her lost love.
WHERE TO EAT
Top of the River
Gadsden
This restaurant has been family owned and operated for more than 30 years. There are several locations throughout the state, and they offer two of the 100 dishes to try in Alabama: the entree of grain-fed catfish and greens, and their fried pickles appetizer. Diners also are treated to complimentary cornbread, slaw and pickled onions before every meal. Everything is prepared fresh daily.
Pruett’s Bar-B-Que
Gadsden
Pruett’s has been selling barbeque for 33 years, serving some of the state’s best barbeque dishes. If you go, order the Sweet Potato Fluff for dessert as it’s on the 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama list.
