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Monte Sano Nature Preserve (Bankhead Trailhead)
4.8 ★★★★★ 721 Google reviews · Running trail in Huntsville, Alabama · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 16.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Monte Sano Nature Preserve (Bankhead 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.
Expansive preserve featuring 25+ miles of trails, scenic waterfalls, bluff vistas, springs & caves.
What runners say about Monte Sano Nature Preserve (Bankhead Trailhead)
“Beautiful, little known Land Trust trail on the other side of Green mountain, a few miles past Green Mountain Park entrance.”
“Possesses both beginner trails and moderately difficult which are clearly marked.”
The Land Trust is doing a fantastic drop maintaining their trails, rerouting trails where necessary, building bridges and more. Would love to see Monte Sano State Park follow their lead.
Fun trail. A lot of the paths we took were rock but we liked the extra challenge. We did see a snake so keep an eye out as with any hike. Would definitely recommend. Little disappointed we couldn't go to the Three Caves but it was still nice to see from the gate.
Beautiful place to visit, a lot of hiking trails, most of the trails are easy and accessible. Parking is relatively easy. There are some hidden small waterfalls among the trails for you to explore. Overall it is a nice weekend relaxing place for me.
My favorite place to hike. Easy trails, beautiful scenery, close to town but feels far away.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful, little known Land Trust trail on the other side of Green mountain, a few miles past Green Mountain Park entrance.”
“The parking lot is very small, so I sometimes park in the grass across the street.”
“The trails seem to be cared for and for the most part well-marked.”
“Some of the trails are very rocky, so be careful about twisting your ankles or falling.”
“Beautiful place to visit, a lot of hiking trails, most of the trails are easy and accessible.”
“Best place to hike…they have dirt and paved trails, walking or biking…”
Plan your run at Monte Sano Nature Preserve (Bankhead Trailhead)
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance16.5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitelandtrustnal.org
- Phone(256) 534-5263
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–7 PM |
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.
Monte Sano State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,510 reviews
Expansive mountaintop green space featuring trails, rustic stone cabins & scenic views.
Chapman Mountain Trail Entrance
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