10 Best Hiking And Trekking Spots In Auburn, Alabama

hiking in auburn
Deanna
Deanna 
Published
| 5 min read

“Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain,” is the opening line of “The Deserted Village,” a poem written in 1770 by the Irish novelist and playwright Oliver Goldsmith. Settlers from Georgia founded Auburn in 1836 and took inspiration from Goldsmith’s poetry. Bordered by Opelika, Chambers County, and Macon County, Auburn is a city built on diversified geological features. Ranching and cattle occupy the plains and savannah. Pine forests cover the coastal plain and its thick growth makes the hills green. Expect challenging terrain among rugged peaks in the southern region. A college town and growing metropolis with these natural features is an ideal destination for outdoor activities. Choose recreational activities in the open air and check out our best hiking and trekking spots in Auburn, Alabama.

1. Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

Pine Forest v
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mrs.Snipping used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Engaging in outdoor activity is encouraged these days and in Auburn, Kreher Preserve & Nature Center is always at your service. In 1933, 120 acres (48.5 hectares) of land that used to be Creek Indian territory were donated by the Turner family to Auburn University. The preserve is managed by the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and offers organized walks, hikes, camps, and nature education initiatives year-round. Most of the resources are now back on track, and with strict adherence to guidelines, everyone can have a grand time in the nature playground, ecology camps, and adventure camps. Check out the calendar on their website for available outdoor programs when you visit.

Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

Address: 2222 North College Street, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

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2. Lake Wilmore Park

Mountain bike jumping on trail
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DennyMont used under CC BY 2.0

Auburn considers itself “The Loveliest Village,” and Lake Wilmore Park is a pretty good place to discover why. A variety of facilities are available to the public but the park’s mountain bike trail is the top attraction. This trail offers enough challenge for beginner-intermediate mountain bikers. You will encounter a few obstacles and a change in terrain when you approach small hills, but the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) challenge is a first-rate biking trail. Look for the Ogletree Elementary School parking lot since the trailhead is there. You can make inquiries about the other facilities at the parks and recreation office if you have more time to spend in Auburn.

Lake Wilmore Park

Address: 737 Ogletree Rd, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Lake Wilmore Park

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3. Chewacla State Park

Chewacla Falls
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Knizzle17 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Before you head to Auburn, reserve a camping slot at Chewacla State Park and engage in any of your favorite past times whether it is hiking, fly fishing, boating, or hunting. Geocaching is a popular activity there as well. For the uninitiated, geocaching involves an app and a GPS unit. ‘Geofest’ happens in the spring, so you’d have to wait a few months for that. Chewacla’s mountain biking trails come highly recommended if you’d rather stick to traditional outdoor fun and games. It’s always worthwhile to spend a few hours swimming, boating, and fishing for bass and catfish in Chewacla Lake. All Alabama state parks and campgrounds must comply with updated health protocols, so it’s best to review these before planning an activity.

Chewacla State Park

Address: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Chewacla State Park

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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4. Kiesel Park (Auburn City Park)

Park grounds where dogs can roam freely
Source: Pixabay

Kiesel Park (Auburn City Park) has a 2.3-mile (3.6-kilometer) trail for walking if you like stretching your legs. It also has a leash-off area where dogs can roam freely. There are picnic areas and two ponds accessible to the public from dawn until dusk. Nunn Winston House is inside the park grounds, so you can contemplate its antebellum Greek Revival architectural feature while taking it easy in the pavilion. Plan a pleasant mix of activities for an entire afternoon with the children while preparing for your trip to Auburn, Alabama.

Kiesel Park (Auburn City Park)

Address: 520 Chadwick Ln, Auburn, AL 36832, United States

Website: Kiesel Park - Auburn City Park

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

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5. Eagle Scout Trail

80km Karhunkierros Hiking Trail
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Heather Sunderland used under CC BY 2.0

It is known that Alabama has more hiking trails recognized by the National Recreation Trail (NRT) than any other state! Auburn is proud of its prime selection of hiking destinations. Eagle Scout Trail or Boy Scout Trail is one of the eight trails of Chewacla State Park that covers about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) in total. This trail starts near an arched stone bridge and involves wading in shallow water. Consider wearing the correct footwear to keep dry. If you’re not so keen on a challenging hike, then this is a good place to start. It’s a relatively easy trail that takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Eagle Scout Trail

Address: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Eagle Scout Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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6. Pleasant Hill Trail

Mountain-biker-climbs
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 2.5

For an intermediate mountain biking challenge, head to Pleasant Hill Trail in Tuskegee National Forest in Macon County. The 3.8-mile (6.1-kilometers) trail offers different challenges to riders, including the occasional sandpit. If you’re not yet confident of your skills, then perhaps you can look for an easier trail for beginners. Pleasant Hill Trail runs through calm surroundings but it will test your mettle as it is a technical route that goes through plant roots and rocks here and there. The trail that starts at an altitude of 303 feet (92.4 meters) is ranked second in Tuskegee National Forest based on reviews.

Pleasant Hill Trail

Address: 125 National Forest Rd 949, Tuskegee, AL 36083, United States

Website: Pleasant Hill Trail

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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7. Rock Bottom Trail

Single-speed mountain bike
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user PAGreenwood used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you need to practice on a trail with five-star jumps, then go to Chewacla State Park in Auburn and find your way to Rock Bottom Trail where there are rock outcrops, wood features, and uphill stretches. Rock Bottom Trail offers both manmade and natural surfaces. It’s a rather short 3.5-mile (5.6 kilometers) loop for mountain bikers. However, hikers can go for the entire 8 miles (12.9-kilometer) distance. Rock Bottom Trail’s base runs along a route towards a lovely waterfall. You can take a break at the highest point of Rock Bottom for a grand vista of the surroundings.

Rock Bottom Trail

Address: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Rock Bottom Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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8. Creek View Trail

Creek Flowing in Alabama Field
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Terry Platt used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Creek View Trail is said to be a good representative of the innate beauty of Auburn’s Chewacla State Park. Bring a trusty camera because there are plenty of photo opportunities with the family along the 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) of the track. Creek View Trail is special because it follows the path of two creeks. This popular hiking trail is also accessible to mountain bikers, so bring your equipment and try it out on new terrain. Check the Chewacla State Park website for updates and specific guidelines for Creek View Trail when planning a trip to Auburn.

Creek View Trail

Address: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Creek View Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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9. Experience highs and lows along a multi-use trail

08-06-2017 Way-marker post, Via Algarviana long distance hiking trail, Alfarrobeiras (4)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kolforn used under CC BY 3.0

What could be a better hiking destination than a serpentine route along a lake and waterfall? Falls View Trail is located on a hillside above a lake. It’s an exciting mix of uphill and downhill sections. Mountain bikers will find plenty of challenges in this intermediate track and veer towards the Creek View trail after Old Wright’s Mill Road for more adventure. Check the trail maps before heading out so you can make the most of the 0.9-mile (1.5-kilometer) trail. Watch out for the high point where you can see the water flowing down below!

Falls View Trail

Address: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Falls View Traill

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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10. Take the kids to a hike on a single-track trail

Tuskegee NF Trail
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Robert S. Donovan used under CC BY 2.0

A single-track trail doesn’t sound very interesting, but you won’t be disappointed at Deer Rub Trail, which is about 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers). It offers a memorable experience for children who’ll be walking through pine and hardwood forests along the length of Chewacla Creek. They’ll surely stop to gawk at stunning rock formations from time to time. Deer Rub Trail is one of the highlights of Chewacla State Park in Auburn. It is also a multi-use trail so mountain bikers can practice downhill maneuvers there. Experts caution against riding uphill because it’s too steep. Remember that safety is first and foremost as you dare to outdo yourself.

Deer Rub Trail

Address: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830, United States

Website: Deer Rub Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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Spend the holidays in Auburn's parks and trails

This historic college town has more to offer with its outstanding outdoor recreational facilities and multi-use trails. Auburn has the perfect mix of outdoor activities for the family this holiday season. So if you love nature and a good challenge, then pack your bags and head over to this hiking and biking destination.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Deanna Kathrina, a pediatric physical therapist specializing in neurodevelopmental disability, serves as a teacher and advocate. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys the company of music and aspires...Read more

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