Wild Alabama Guided Hikes
Wild Alabama staff and volunteers lead hikes in the Bankhead National Forest and Talladega National Forest year round.  Driven by our mission to inspire people to enjoy, value and protect the wild places in Alabama, our hikes introduce people of all ages to their National Forests and Wilderness Areas.
Please plan to join us! 
See below for hikes in both the Cheaha/Talladega Mountains and the Sipsey/Bankhead Canyons!
Contact Janice at janice@wildal.org to get on our email list... or sign up yourself on our homepage!  Please scroll down to read Important Information For All Hikes.
All hikes are free of charge thanks to the generosity of individual donors and grants from the Walker Area Community Foundation, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, Alabama Mountain Rivers and Valleys RC&D, 

​Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness Hikes

First Saturday Hikes: 
Wild Alabama staff and volunteers lead hikes in the Bankhead National Forest or Sipsey Wilderness on the first Saturday of every month.  These hikes vary in length and level of challenge.  Children are welcome!  

Next hike:
Because of the holidays, this month's hike will be on the second Saturday
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Destination and other details soon to come!
Leader:  Janice Barrett
No dogs and no smoking, please

• Footwear should be sturdy with good tread that will keep you upright on slippery rocks and uneven, rough, rocky terrain and that will keep your feet warm and dry.  There may be ice.
• Dress layered for warmth!  It will be cold and there is a small chance of rain in the afternoon.
• Bring a daypack with lunch, snacks, drinking water and any personal items such as toilet paper and a trash bag.  Bring a rain jacket.  Trekking poles or walking stick a must if there are balance or mobility issues.

Ask questions and sign up (required) at janice@wildal.org


Wild Wednesday Nature Hikes for Kids and Families:
We have expanded our very popular summertime Wild Wednesday nature hikes for kids and families into the entire year!  Look for Wild Wednesday hikes on the second or third Wednesday of every month.  Sign-ups for these fun and educational nature hikes must include at least one child eighteen years of age or younger accompanied by an adult (or adults).  For more information contact Janice Barrett.at janice@wildal.org.

Next Wild Wednesday Nature Hike:
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Natural Bridge Picnic Area, Bankhead National Forest (Not the Natural Bridge near Haleyville)
9:30 a.m.
Sign up at janice@wildal.org
Leader:  Janice Barrett
Distance:  Under 2 miles roundtrip (loop)
Level of Challenge:  About as easy as it gets in Bankhead
Natural Bridge Picnic Area is the oldest developed recreation site on national forest land in Alabama.  The loop trail leads to a natural bridge which is a sandstone formation and a waterfall and rock shelter in the hardwood forest.  This hike is short but there  is lots to see and explore! 
Bring all the food and water needed for a two hour outing. There are picnic tables on site.  
No dogs and no smoking, please.
Directions:  Natural Bridge Picnic Area is located east of Double Springs on County Road 63 one mile north of Highway 278.  


Forest Bathing:
Alternating between Friday and Saturday on the last weekend of the month, Wild Alabama’s Janice Barrett teams up with writer and teacher Anne Markham Bailey, founder of the Creative Awareness Institute to offer sessions in what the Japanese call Shinrin Yoku, or literally translated, Forest Bathing. This is not a typical hike but is rather an opportunity to open deeply to the awareness of being in the forest, in one’s self, and in the shared and sacred space. We move in silence, have opportunity for deep connection to the earth, the water, the trees and to our own interiority. Time for writing, sketching, movement or meditation is built into the schedule for the day. 
Please watch this short video by Anne Bailey about Forest Bathing.
This link will take you to a meditation course Anne Bailey will teach beginning on January 20.
The recorded Forest Bathing webinar that Wild Alabama hosted in early July 2021 may be viewed here.

Next Forest Bathing Session: 
Friday, January 28, 2022.  9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Sign up at janice@wildal.org  Location will be revealed to those who sign up.  There will be a one-half mile walk from the trailhead to a location in the Bankhead National Forest.  Bring lunch, snacks, drinking water, a journal and/or sketchbook and pen, a small pad or cloth for comfortable sitting or lying down.  Participants in this forest immersion will enjoy guided meditation, silence,  suggested techniques for connection to the elements, deep rest and communion.  Group size is limited to five not including Janice and Anne.
Next month's Forest Bathing is scheduled for Saturday, February 19.

Cheaha Mountain, Talladega National Forest, Pinhoti Trail Hikes

Wild Alabama Executive Director Maggie Johnston, Stewardship Coordinator for Talladega area Brittany Seaborg, or a volunteer hike leader will lead hikes in the Cheaha Mountain area of Talladega National Forest once a month.  Upcoming hike dates are  November 13, November 16,  December 11, December 14.  Sign up  or get more information at brittany@wildal.org.
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Next Cheaha hikes: 


Trail Tuesdays Hike, 9:00 am, January 11, 2022 - Guided hike with Paulette Clements
Join Wild Alabama Volunteer, Paulette Clements, for a 5 mile (round trip) guided hike to Terrapin Creek Dam. Email brittany@wildal.org to signup!
Meeting location: North FS500 Trailhead, 9AM
How to prepare:
- Expect a 5 mile leisurely hike (moderate level)
- Bring a lunch, snacks, and plenty of water
- Dress for the weather!

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Important Information for All Hikes
Wild Alabama practices coronavirus protection protocols as advised by the CDC and strongly encourage all adult participants in our events to be fully vaccinated.
What to bring on a Wild Alabama hike:

• a daypack with lunch, snacks, drinking water
• a mask
• an Epi Pen if severe allergy to insect stings is an issue
• walking stick or trekking poles 

What to wear:  Clothing that is appropriate for the weather and comfortable for hiking.  Shoes or boots should be sturdy with good traction for slopes and slippery rocks and stream crossings.
Tick protection:  If protection against ticks is desired, we recommend permethrin products such as Permanone or Sawyers.  Spray on clothing at least 4 hours before wearing.  It only takes a little!
No dogs and no smoking, please.