Best running trails in Alabama
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 155,377 reviews of Alabama trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (168 in Alabama do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 16 cities, 6 of them paved, 2 loops, 5 shaded, and 2 with a stated distance. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
Railroad Park Foundation
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,230 reviews
Acres of downtown green space for family activities, jogging & concerts, with a skate park & cafe.
Cathedral Caverns State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,707 reviews
Tours offer a view of a huge stalagmite column, "mystery river" & other formations in a state park.
Monte Sano State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,510 reviews
Expansive mountaintop green space featuring trails, rustic stone cabins & scenic views.
Medal of Honor Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,730 reviews
Facilities for football, soccer, softball, baseball & tennis along with walking path & picnic areas.
Little River Canyon National Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,466 reviews
Forested nature preserve around Little River which runs along the top of Lookout Mountain.
Sportsman Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,914 reviews
Park offering a fishing lake & playground along with a mini-train, putt-putt golf & paddle boats.
Red Mountain Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,787 reviews
1,500-acre park with 15 miles of scenic trails, historic mines, zip lines, tree house & a dog park.
Langan Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,856 reviews
Large green space with tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas & a city golf course.
Tuscumbia Spring Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,687 reviews
A large manmade waterfall presents light shows at this city park with jet fountains in a pond.
Veterans Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,578 reviews
Lakeside green space with a 3-mile running trail, playgrounds, volleyball courts & a war memorial.
Tuscaloosa River Walk
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,364 reviews
Concrete, paved walkway stretching several miles along the Black Warrior River.
Wilson Morgan Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,281 reviews
Recreation center featuring a softball complex, tennis courts, playgrounds & an adventure park.
Rhodes Ferry Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,171 reviews
Landscaped riverfront park with scenic bridge views, a gazebo & picnic pavilions, plus a playground.
Deibert Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,092 reviews
Tranquil park featuring interpretive walking trails, a children's museum, ponds & a playground.
Pinson Bicentennial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 939 reviews
Relaxed, family-friendly, clean-maintained green space featuring a disc golf course, along with a playground and a splash pad.
Town Creek Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 914 reviews
Scenic green space featuring a pond & walking trail plus a grassy field with a swinging bench.
Fairhopers Community Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 822 reviews
Open outdoor recreation center with a playground, giant dinosaur statue & a kids' aqua park.
Park at Manderson Landing
4.7 ★★★★★ 827 reviews
Scenic park along the Black Warrior River featuring a bike path and picnic tables.
Buck's Pocket State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 808 reviews
Serene park with trails, a scenic overlook & campsites, plus a cove for launching boats & fishing.
Foley Kids Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 805 reviews
Family site with playground equipment & castles, picnic facilities, ball fields & a swimming pool.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Birmingham, AL
- Running trails in Woodville, AL
- Running trails in Huntsville, AL
- Running trails in Mobile, AL
- Running trails in Fort Payne, AL
- Running trails in Cullman, AL
- Running trails in Tuscumbia, AL
- Running trails in Meadowbrook, AL
- Running trails in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Running trails in Decatur, AL
- Running trails in Florence, AL
- Running trails in Pinson, AL
- Running trails in Auburn, AL
- Running trails in Fairhope, AL
- Running trails in Grove Oak, AL
- Running trails in Foley, AL