PTA Site Map
Pinhoti Trail Alliance
Connecting Alabama to the Appalachian Trail
Pinhoti Road Crossings
Alabama Section
Be aware that most of these trailheads and road crossings are in pretty isolated areas and
also be aware that you’ll find very few signs pointing the way. Your odometer is going to
become your best friend. Although various cars and trucks tend to measure distances a
little differently, these mileages should be fairly close.
Southern Terminus
Section 4 (AL 9)
0.0 ~ BULL GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 148
18.0 ~ PORTER'S GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 77
33.5 ~ ADAMS GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 281
44.8 ~ CHEAHA TRAILHEAD / AL 281
62.4 ~ US 431 TRAILHEAD
71.9 ~ SOUTH USFS 500 TRAILHEAD
85.5 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND
101.8 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD
110.6 ~ NORTH USFS 500 TRAILHEAD
126.8 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD / US 278
Northern Terminus
Pinhoti Trail Alliance
Connecting Alabama to the Appalachian Trail
Pinhoti Road Crossings
Alabama Section
Be aware that most of these trailheads and road crossings are in pretty isolated areas and
also be aware that you’ll find very few signs pointing the way. Your odometer is going to
become your best friend. Although various cars and trucks tend to measure distances a
little differently, these mileages should be fairly close.
Southern Terminus
Section 4 (AL 9)
0.0 ~ BULL GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 148
- Exit I ~ 20 at AL 21, in Oxford, AL.
Go south about 30 miles to Sylacauga, AL.
Once you reach the Comer Library, on the left at the beginning of the old
downtown district, turn left on AL 148.
Go 10.5 miles to Bull Gap, just past the 11 mile marker, at the top of the ridge.
There are 2 dirt roads here on the left, about 50' apart. The first road is USFS 607,
Old Rocky Mountain Road. Turn left here.
Go 100 yards to the trailhead parking area, on the left.
The north trail is 20 yards past the parking area, on the right.
- Continue east on AL 148 from the Bull Gap Trailhead.
Go 0.8 miles to CR 7, at the bottom of the ridge. Turn left.
Go 5.2 miles to the stop sign / dead end. Turn left (you are still on CR 7).
Go 2.3 miles to the flashing red light at AL 77. Turn left.
Go 2.2 miles to the Porter's Gap Trailhead, on the right.
The north trail is at the back of the parking area.
The south trail is diagonally across AL 77, to the right.
18.0 ~ PORTER'S GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 77
- Exit I ~ 20 at AL 21, in Oxford, AL.
Go south appx. 20 miles to Talladega, AL.
When you get into the city limits, continue on AL 21 until you cross over the first
big bridge.
Take the first left turn after the bridge.
Go appx. 1 mile past Wal Mart to AL 77. Turn left.
Go 8.9 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left, just past the 55 mile marker.
The north trail starts at the back of the parking area.
The south trail is across AL 77, on the right.
- Continue east on AL 77 from the Porter’s Gap Trailhead 1.2 miles to CR 209. Turn
left.
Go 1.3 miles to the Chandler Springs Assembly. Turn left.
Go 0.5 miles to the south trail, on the left.
Go past the south trail 0.2 miles to the RR tracks and bridge.
Cross the bridge and go straight ahead 0.2 miles up USFS 600.
The north trail goes in the woods on the left.
Special parking instructions for Skyway Road;
The folks that live in the cabin across from the parking area by the RR tracks, own
the property north, south, east and west of the bridge and although they are
extremely hiker friendly, they are leery of strangers leaving cars near their home
after several cases of arson and illegal hunting. They have requested that you just
come over and say hey and tell them what you're doing and when you'll be back.
If they are not at home, then you need to leave a note on your windshield that
only says “Hiker”. Thanks!
- Continue east on AL 77 from the Porter’s Gap Trailhead 1.2 miles to CR 209. Turn
left.
Go 3.2 miles to CR 12. Turn left.
Go 4.1 miles to Gunterstown Road. Turn left.
Go 0.9 miles to the top of the ridge and turn right on USFS 600.
Go 10 yards.
The north trail goes in the woods on the left.
The south trail is on USFS 600, back across Gunterstown Road, on the right.
- Continue east on AL 77 from the Porter’s Gap Trailhead 1.2 miles to CR 209. Turn
left.
Go 3.2 miles to CR 12. Turn left.
Go 6.7 miles to Blue Ridge Road (look for an old white Church on the left). Turn
left.
Go 1.2 miles to the stop sign. Turn left.
Go 1.5 miles to the stop sign at AL 281.
The trailhead parking area is across the street.
The north trail goes in the woods on the right, just before the stop sign.
The south trail is to the right of the Adams Gap Trailhead sign.
33.5 ~ ADAMS GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 281
- Exit I ~ 20 at AL 21, in Oxford, AL.
If you are coming from Atlanta, go to the end of the exit ramp. Turn left and go
under the I ~ 20 bridge to the first red light. Turn left.
If you are coming from Birmingham, go to the end of the exit ramp. Go straight
across at the red light.
Go appx. 4 miles to a 4 way stop sign. Turn right.
Go appx. 4 miles to just before the overhead bridge. Turn left.
Go 0.1 to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 15.2 miles to the trailhead parking area / end of pavement.
The north trail goes in the Wilderness on the left, by the downhill paved road.
The south trail is on the right by the Adams Gap Trailhead sign.
- From the Adams Gap Trailhead, go back on AL 281 6.4 miles to the Cheaha
Trailhead parking area, on the right.
The Pinhoti Approach Trail begins at The Arch, at the back of the parking area.
Go through The Arch 50 yards to the Info Board.
Turn right and go up the hill 0.1 miles to the Pinhoti.
The north trail goes to the right.
The south trail goes to the left.
44.8 ~ CHEAHA TRAILHEAD / AL 281
- Exit I ~ 20 at AL 21, in Oxford, AL.
If you are coming from Atlanta, go to the end of the exit ramp. Turn left and go
under the I ~ 20 bridge to the first red light. Turn left.
If you are coming from Birmingham, go to the end of the exit ramp. Go straight
across at the red light.
Go appx. 4 miles to a 4 way stop sign. Turn right.
Go appx. 4 miles to just before the overhead bridge. Turn left.
Go 0.1 miles to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 8.8 miles to the Cheaha Trailhead parking area, on the left.
The Pinhoti Approach Trail begins at The Arch, at the back of the parking area.
Go through The Arch 50 yards to the Info Board. Turn right.
Go up the hill 0.1 miles to the Pinhoti.
The north trail goes to the right.
The south trail goes to the left.
- Go past the Cheaha Trailhead parking area 0.2 miles to the AL 281 Crossing (no
parking).
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail is on the left.
- Go past the Cheaha Trailhead parking area 0.4 miles to the Park entrance, on the
right. Turn right.
The first building on the left is the store / park office.
Overnight parking is allowed at the parking area behind the store.
- Exit I ~ 20 at AL 21, in Oxford, AL.
Go south 4.6 miles to CR 135. Turn left.
Go 5.3 miles to a really, really long white fence on the right. Turn right just before
the fence begins.
Go 0.7 miles to where the pavement ends at a CCC bridge, then continue on the
dirt road another 3.0 miles to the dead end turn around.
The CCC Road continues straight ahead on the other side of the tank traps (big
piles of dirt).
Hike over the tank traps and go 0.3 miles to the trail crossing.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- From the Cheaha Trailhead parking area, go back on AL 281 8.8 miles to the first
bridge. Turn left on the paved road just past the bridge.
Go 0.1 miles to the stop sign at CR 24. Turn right.
Go 1.1 miles to the CR 24 Crossing.
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail is on the left, 100' before the north trail.
Morgan Lake is on a short dirt road off CR 24 0.1 miles before you reach the trail
crossing.
- From the Cheaha Trailhead parking area, go back on AL 281 11.5 miles to a paved
road on the right. Turn right.
Go 0.4 miles to the stop sign at US 431. Turn left.
Go 0.6 miles to the trail crossing.
The north trail is on the right.
Just past the north trail, there is a dirt road on the left that goes 0.1 miles up to the
US 431 Trailhead parking area.
The south trail is at the back / right side of the parking area.
62.4 ~ US 431 TRAILHEAD
- Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
Go south 2.8 miles to a dirt road on the right.
The north trail is here, on the left side of US 431.
Turn right on the dirt road and go up the hill 0.1 miles to the US 431 Trailhead
parking area.
The south trail is at the back ~ right side of the parking area.
- Follow the US 431 Trailhead directions to the dirt road.
Go past the dirt road 0.6 miles to the second right turn past the overhead bridge,
just before Parks Store. Turn right.
Go 0.4 miles to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 1.7 miles to USFS 518 on the left. There is no sign here, but there is a large
paved apron where you turn left.
Go 0.1 miles down the dirt road to the parking area, at the gate.
The north trail is 25 yards past the gate on the right.
The south trail is on the left.
- Follow the USFS 518 Crossing directions to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 3.5 miles to the gravel road on the right, just past the I ~ 20 bridge. Turn right.
Go 10 yards.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is just before the I ~ 20 bridge on the left.
- Follow the USFS 518 Crossing directions to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 4.8 miles to the crossing.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the USFS 518 Trailhead directions to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 6.7 miles to the US 78 bridge crossing.
The north trail turns right 50 yards past the bridge on the gravel road, USFS 500.
The south trail is just before the bridge on the left.
- Follow the USFS 518 Crossing directions to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
Go 6.7 miles to the US 78 bridge crossing.
Go past the bridge 50 yards to the gravel road on the right, USFS 500. Turn right.
Go 0.1 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right, just past the RR tracks.
The north trail goes in the woods behind the Info Board.
The south trail is before the US 78 bridge, on the left.
71.9 ~ SOUTH USFS 500 TRAILHEAD
- Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
Go 5.3 miles to just before the overhead bridge. Turn left.
Go 0.1 miles to the stop sign at AL 281. Go straight across onto USFS 500.
Go 0.1 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right, just past the RR tracks.
The north trail goes in the woods behind the Info Board.
The south trail is back across the US 78 bridge, on the right.
- Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
Go past the parking area 0.2 miles to the crossing.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
Go past the parking area 1.7 miles to USFS 523. Turn left.
Go 0.2 miles to the crossing.
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail is on the left.
- Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
Go 0.8 miles to the crossing.
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail is on the left.
- Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
Go 3.5 miles to the crossing, 50 yards past the concrete bridge.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the South USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
Go 5.0 miles to USFS 500. Turn left.
Go 0.5 miles to the campground, on the left.
The north trail is just past Shoal Creek Bridge on the right.
The south trail is just before the campground on the left.
85.5 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND
- Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
Go 5.3 miles to just before the overhead bridge. Turn left.
Go to the stop sign at AL 281. Go straight across onto USFS 500.
Go 2.1 miles to USFS 531. Turn left.
Go 5.0 miles to USFS 500. Turn left.
Go 0.5 miles to the campground, on the left.
The north trail is on the right, just past Shoal Creek Bridge.
The south trail is just before the campground on the left.
- Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
Go past the bridge 2.4 miles to Sweetwater Lake Road. Turn right.
Go 0.3 miles to the parking area.
The north trail is on the left, behind the Info Board.
The south trail is on the right by the boat ramp.
- Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Continue past this left
turn on what is now USFS 553.
Go 1.1 miles to the crossing.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Continue past this left
turn on what is now USFS 553.
Go 0.7 miles to a dirt road on the left. Turn left.
Go 0.4 miles to the trail crossing. There is a dirt driveway here on the right
leading to the Shoal Creek Church.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
Go 0.3 miles to where USFS 500 turns right. Turn right.
Go 1.1 miles to the trailhead parking area, on the right.
The north trail is on the left, just past the trailhead.
The south trail is on the right, just past the trailhead.
Coleman Lake Campground is 0.6 miles past the trailhead, on the right.
- Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
Go 0.5 miles to USFS 540. Turn right.
Go 0.8 miles to the trail crossing.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
Go 0.3 miles to where USFS 500 turns right. Turn right.
Go 2.0 miles to where USFS 500 turns left. Turn left.
Go 5.3 miles to the paved road, CR 55. Turn left.
Go 4.6 miles to the trailhead parking area at Mr. Burns old log cabin, on the right.
The north trail is at the back of the parking area by the Wilderness Dedication
Marker.
The south trail is on CR 55, 100 yards before you reach the parking area, on the left.
101.8 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD
- Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
Go 3.9 miles to AL 9. Turn left.
Go 10.9 miles to CR 55, at the yellow flashing light. Turn right.
Go 4.2 miles to the trailhead parking area, on the left, which is at Mr. Burns old
log cabin.
The Pinhoti Approach Trail begins at the Wilderness Dedication Marker behind
Pinky's barn. Go 100 yards up to the Pinhoti.
The north trail is to the left.
The south trail is to the right.
- Follow the Burns Trailhead directions to the log cabin.
Go past the cabin 4.5 miles to USFS 500. Turn left. There is a black mailbox on the
right at this turn with the address - 20346.
Go 2.0 miles to the trailhead parking area.
This is just a pulloff on the left, before the trail crossing, that's big enough for 2 or
3 vehicles.
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail is on the left.
110.6 ~ NORTH USFS 500 TRAILHEAD
- Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
Go 3.9 miles to AL 9. Turn left.
Go 10.9 miles to CR 55, at the yellow flashing light. Turn right.
Go 8.9 miles to USFS 500. Turn left. There is a black mailbox on the right at this
turn with the address - 20346.
Go 2.0 miles to the trailhead parking area.
This is just a pulloff on the left, before the trail crossing, that's big enough for 2 or
3 vehicles.
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail is on the left.
- Follow the North USFS 500 Trailhead directions to the flashing yellow light at CR
55.
Continue on AL 9 past the yellow light 10.0 miles, through Piedmont, to US 278.
Turn right.
Go 1.2 miles to the 4 way stop sign.
Go straight across 0.8 miles to the stop sign at CR 70. Turn left.
Go 5.8 miles to CR 94. Turn right.
Go appx. 1.0 miles to the crossing.
The north trail is on the right.
The south trail on the left.
- Follow the CR 94 Crossing directions to the stop sign at CR 70. Turn left.
Go 4.8 miles to Maxwell Gap, at the top of the ridge.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
- Follow the CR 94 Crossing directions to the 4 way stop sign. Turn left on US 278.
Go 7.5 miles to the trailhead parking area, on the right, just past the 165 mile
marker.
The north trail is 0.3 miles past the trailhead on US 278, almost to the end of the
long straightaway, on the left (no parking).
The south trail is behind the Info Board at the trailhead parking area.
126.8 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD / US 278
- Exit I ~ 20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
Go north 0.3 miles to US 78. Turn right.
Go 3.9 miles to AL 9. Turn left.
Go 20.9 miles, through Piedmont, to US 278. Turn right.
Go 1.2 miles to the 4 way stop sign. Turn left on US 278.
Go 7.5 miles to the trailhead parking area, on the right, just past the 165 mile
marker.
The north trail is 0.3 miles past the trailhead on US 278, almost to the end of the
long straightaway, on the left (no parking).
The south trail is behind the Info Board at the trailhead parking area.
- From the High Point Trailhead parking area, go back on US 278 0.1 miles to CR 45.
Turn right.
Go 0.5 miles to CR 8, just past the Hurricane Creek Bridge. Turn right.
Go 2.1 miles to the trail crossing.
The north trail is on the left.
The south trail is on the right.
There is limited parking at the gate on the left just before the crossing. Don't block
this private gate. You can also go past the trail crossing 0.6 miles to Salem Church
and park there. The congregation is familiar with the ATA Trail Crew, hikers and
have allowed day and overnight parking in the past.
- From the High Point Trailhead parking area, go back on US 278 0.1 miles to CR 45.
Turn right.
Go 2.7 miles to the dead end / T intersection at Rock Run Road. Turn right.
Go 5.4 miles to US 411. Turn right.
Go 5.1 miles to Jackson Chapel Road (look for a large Mountain Springs Baptist
Church sign on the right). Turn right.
Go 3.6 miles to the second big yellow gate on the right. The turn in is gravel and
has enough room for 4 vehicles. Do not block this gate.
The north trail is a road walk from here to Cave Spring, GA. Continue on Jackson
Chapel past the trailhead parking area.
The south trail is on the right, about 25' before the gate.
Northern Terminus
| Millennium Legacy Trail |
