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The Pinhoti Trail
A Southeast Region Appalachian Trail Connector

Pinhoti Road Crossings / Alabama Section
Driving Directions

These directions are set up in a northbounder format (of course : ).
Alabama has 13 Pinhoti Trail sections. Sections 1, 2, and 3 are not
included on this page because a trail corridor has not been established
for these sections yet.

Sections 4 through 13 have 33 major and minor road crossings and
driving directions to all of these are listed below.

Choose a section and go down to that section's southern terminus.
There you'll find directions to that southern terminus from a nearby
town. The directions to all of the roads that the trail crosses up to
that section's northern terminus will use the southern terminus as the
starting point.

Be aware that most of these trailheads and road crossings are in pretty
isolated areas. Make sure that anything you leave in your vehicle is hidden from view.
Also be aware that you’ll find very few signs pointing the way. Your odometer /
trip meter is going to become your best friend. Please use it.
Although various cars and trucks tend to measure distances a little differently,
these mileages should be fairly close.

Alabama Pinhoti Northern Terminus

Section 13 Northern Terminus
173.9 ~ JACKSON CHAPEL TRAILHEAD
    From the High Point Trailhead parking area, turn left on US 278 and go 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.
    The south trail is on the right, about 25' before the gate.

166.1 ~ CR 8 / SALEM CHURCH ROAD CROSSING
    From the High Point Trailhead parking area, turn left on US 278 and go 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.

161.1 ~ 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.
Section 13 Southern Terminus

Section 12 Northern Terminus
161.1 ~ HIGH POINT TRAILHEAD / US 278
    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.

155.0 ~ CR 70 / MAXWELL GAP
    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.

153.4 ~ CR 94 CROSSING
    Follow the North FS 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 (it's 1.0 miles past the top of the ridge). Turn right.
    Go appx. 1.0 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail on the left.

144.9 ~ NORTH FS 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 FS 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 that's big enough for 2 or 3 vehicles.
    The trail crossing is 50 yards past the parking area.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left.
Section 12 Southern Terminus

Section 11 Northern Terminus
144.9 ~ NORTH FS 500 TRAILHEAD
    Follow the Burns Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 4.5 miles to FS 500. Turn left. There is a black
    mailbox on the right here at this turn with the address - 20346.
    Go 2.0 miles to the trailhead parking area.
    This is just a pulloff on the left that's big enough for 2 or 3 vehicles.
    The trail crossing is 50 yards past the parking area.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left.

136.1 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD / CR 55
    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.
    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 on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.
Section 11 Southern Terminus

Section 10 Northern Terminus
136.1 ~ BURNS TRAILHEAD / CR 55
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where FS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 0.3 miles to where FS 500 turns right. Turn right.
    Go 2.0 miles to where FS 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 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.

129.5 ~ FS 540 CROSSING
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where FS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 0.5 miles to FS 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.

127.7 ~ COLEMAN LAKE TRAILHEAD
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where FS 500 turns left. Turn left.
    Go 0.3 miles to where FS 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.

126.1 ~ SHOAL CREEK CHURCH ROAD CROSSING
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where FS 500 turns left. Continue past this
    left turn on what is now FS 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.

125.8 ~ FS 553 CROSSING
    Follow the campground directions to Shoal Creek Bridge.
    Go past the bridge 4.4 miles to where FS 500 turns left. Continue past this
    left turn on what is now FS 553.
    Go 1.1 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the left.
    The south trail is on the right.

122.8 ~ SWEETWATER LAKE PARKING AREA
    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.

119.8 ~ 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 FS 500.
    Go 2.0 miles to FS 531. Turn left.
    Go 5.0 miles to FS 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.
Section 10 Southern Terminus

Section 9 Northern Terminus
119.8 ~ PINE GLEN CAMPGROUND
    Follow the South FS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to FS 531. Turn left.
    Go 5.0 miles to FS 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.

117.2 ~ FS 531 CROSSING
    Follow the South FS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to FS 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.

112.8 ~ FS 531 CROSSING
    Follow the South FS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 2.0 miles to FS 531. Turn left.
    Go 0.8 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left.

109.6 ~ FS 523 CROSSING
    Follow the South FS 500 Trailhead directions to the parking area.
    Go past the parking area 1.7 miles to FS 523. Turn left.
    Go 0.2 miles to the crossing.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left.

106.5 ~ FS 500 CROSSING
    Follow the South FS 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.

106.2 ~ SOUTH FS 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 FS 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.
Section 9 Southern Terminus

Section 8 Northern Terminus
106.2 ~ SOUTH FS 500 TRAILHEAD
    Follow the FS 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, FS 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.

106.0 ~ US 78 CROSSING
    Follow the FS 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, FS 500.
    The south trail is just before the bridge on the left.

103.3 ~ AL 281 CROSSING
    Follow the FS 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.

101.0 ~ I-20 CROSSING
    Follow the FS 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.

98.5 ~ FS 518 CROSSING
    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 the Cheaha Country Store. Turn right.
    Go 0.4 miles to the stop sign at AL 281. Turn right.
    Go 1.7 miles to FS 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.

96.7 ~ US 431 TRAILHEAD
    Exit I-20 at US 431, east of Oxford.
    Go south 2.8 miles to a dirt road on the right, FS 585, just the DOT "Adopt a Mile"
    sign.
    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.
Section 8 Southern Terminus

Section 7 Northern Terminus
96.7 ~ US 431 TRAILHEAD
    From the Cheaha Trailhead parking area, go back on AL 281 fot 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, FS 585, 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.

91.5 ~ CR 24 CROSSING / MORGAN LAKE
    From the Cheaha Trailhead parking area, go back on AL 281 for 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. There is a small pull-off on the right.
    The north trail is on the right.
    The south trail is on the left, 100' before the pull-off.

    Morgan Lake is on a short dirt road off CR 24 to the right, 0.1 miles before you
    reach the trail crossing.

84.3 ~ CCC ROAD CROSSING (WEST END)
    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.

79.3 ~ CHEAHA STATE PARK / COUNTRY STORE
    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.

79.3 ~ AL 281 CROSSING
    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.

79.1 ~ 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.
Section 7 Southern Terminus

Section 6 Northern Terminus
79.1 ~ CHEAHA TRAILHEAD / AL 281
    From the Adams Gap Trailhead, go back on AL 281 for 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.

67.8 ~ 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.
Section 6 Southern Terminus

Section 5 Northern Terminus
67.8 ~ ADAMS GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 281
    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.

61.2 ~ CLAIRMONT GAP / GUNTERSTOWN ROAD CROSSING
    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 FS 600.
    Go 10 yards and park on the side of the road.
    The north trail goes in the woods on the left.
    The south trail is on FS 600, back across Gunterstown Road, on the right.

55.5 ~ SKYWAY ROAD CROSSING
    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 FS 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!

52.3 ~ 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 ~ right side of the parking area.
    The south trail is straight across AL 77.
Section 5 Southern Terminus

Section 4 Northern Terminus
52.3 ~ PORTER'S GAP TRAILHEAD / AL 77
    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 ~ right side of the parking area.
    The south trail is straight across AL 77.

34.3 ~ 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
    FS 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.
Section 4 Southern Terminus

Section 1, 2, 3 ~ Road Walk Sections
    Mile 0.0 ~ 34.3

Alabama Pinhoti Southern Terminus

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Millennium
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61.2 ~ CLAIRMONT GAP /
GUNTERSTOWN ROAD CROSSING

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