HomeAlabamaHuntsville › Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)

Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)

4.7 ★★★★★ 146 Google reviews · Running trail in Huntsville, Alabama · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
5 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surface5 miShadedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAFlat & fastHillyRestroomsTrailhead parkingMile markersQuiet

Hiking area featuring caves and waterfalls as well as a variety of trees.

What runners say about Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (146 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“It was the perfect day hike, not too hard and the trail was well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“Other than our little sidetrack excursion, it is absolutely beautiful and Alum cave has nothing on the shelter that you see right before you get to the Grotto.”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“The trail can be challenging in a few places if you are unsure about your balance but overall a long hike mostly in the shade.”

🪧 well-marked 4 mentions

“Most trails are easy to stay on but some are less frequently used and therefore not clearly marked which makes it easy to get off of them.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Peaceful and serene lake view and walking trail, be careful walking down to the lake many exposed tree roots.”

Nice, clean hike. Ended up on the ranger trail, would recommend trekking poles for it.

★★★★★ — Justen , Mar 2025

Trails are a lot of fun and easy. Ranger trail was moderate to hard. Would recommend using trekking poles on the decent. There are plenty of waterfalls and scenic views. Also. You have to walk down to the Ford ranger and look at it. It is right next to the cave.

★★★★★ — David , Jan 2025

We hiked the Alum Hollow Trail at the Green Mountain Nature Preserve with our two dogs. It was a great trail and was pretty easy. We are glad we wore our hiking boots as the trail had some rocky terrain. The trail provided a beautiful view of the waterfall and had a few water streams to view on the hike as well.

★★★★★ — Tarra , Jan 2022

Great trails, you can choose to stick to the easy flatter trails or venture down into the valley. There are multiple streams with picturesque waterfalls so don't forget your camera!!! We did a quick hike for our first time, but we plan on returning soon to try some of the more difficult trails.

★★★★★ — Brent , May 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 146 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 22 mentions

“Other than our little sidetrack excursion, it is absolutely beautiful and Alum cave has nothing on the shelter that you see right before you get to the Grotto.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Well marked trails, good parking and the soothing sound of water running through the creeks.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Peaceful and serene lake view and walking trail, be careful walking down to the lake many exposed tree roots.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 5 mentions

“I can’t get through the trail now in a regular wheelchair but highly recommend visiting this awesome place for anyone and everyone that likes to hike.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“Peaceful and serene lake view and walking trail, be careful walking down to the lake many exposed tree roots.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“The trail can be challenging in a few places if you are unsure about your balance but overall a long hike mostly in the shade.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“You have a slightly steep walk to the bottom of the Falls which i did manage with 2 dogs.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“You have a slightly steep walk to the bottom of the Falls which i did manage with 2 dogs.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“coming up would likely be a very slow go and is a major contrast to the largely flat and clear trails otherwise explored on our trip.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Oh, and the bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Well marked trails, good parking and the soothing sound of water running through the creeks.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Distance5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitelandtrustnal.org
  • Phone(256) 534-5263
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)

13800 SE S Shawdee Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803

Get directions

Running trails near Huntsville

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Alum Hollow

4.7 ★★★★★ 180 reviews

Huntsville, AL

80 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Area with a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging, waterfalls, and a cave.

under a mile away

Madison County Nature Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,429 reviews

Huntsville, AL

1.5 miLoopMixedScenic

72-acre park atop Green Mountain offering recreation on Sky Lake & a 1.5-mile walking trail.

under a mile away

Tennessee River Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 141 reviews

Huntsville, AL

PavedShadedScenic

Greenway with a public restroom for walking, biking, and camping, featuring scenic views.

2.9 miles away

Aldridge Creek Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 458 reviews

Huntsville, AL

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful trail meandering by a creek with disc-golf courses, dog parks and a railroad trestle.

3.8 miles away

J.D. & Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 696 reviews

Owens Cross Roads, AL

10 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling parkland featuring a variety of wildlife & terrain, plus over 10 mi. of hiking trails.

4.3 miles away

Blevins Gap Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 245 reviews

Huntsville, AL

4.5 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Nature preserve with hiking trails and overlooks offering views of Huntsville and the sunset.

4.5 miles away

All running trails in Huntsville, AL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.