PTA Site Map Pinhoti Trail Alliance Connecting Alabama to the Appalachian Trail
Shuttle Providers
Hiking Options
Loop Trail Hikes: The Pinhoti Trail itself is a 325 mile point to point hiking trail, but in the Cheaha Wilderness, in Section 7, there is an extensive loop trail system that includes the Pinhoti and 6 side trails which allows you to form a variety of loops that range from 2 mile day hikes to 30 mile multi day hikes. The Dugger Wilderness, in Section 2, also has a loop trail that uses the Pinhoti and Jones Branch Road to make a 6 mile hike. The advantage of a loop hike is that you or your group can travel to the trail in just 1 vehicle.
Out and Back Hikes: This type of hike involves parking 1 vehicle at a trailhead or road crossing and hiking in any distance you choose, then returning to your vehicle the same way you came in.
Point to Point Hikes with Self Shuttle: You will need to bring 2 vehicles if you want to hike from point A to point B. First, park 1 vehicle where you want to finish your hike and then drive the other vehicle to where you want to start your hike. When your hike ends at your finish vehicle, drive around and pick up your start vehicle.
Point to Point Hikes with Hired Shuttle: If you want to hike from point A to point B but bring only 1 vehicle to the trail, you can make arrangements with someone to pick you up at your finish point, where you will leave your vehicle, and drive you around to your starting point.
Shuttle Providers The PTA will keep a listing of known shuttle service providers along the length of the entire Trail. Through this listing you can access any part of the trail from the Birmingham or Anniston airports, bus stations and rail terminals, and get a ride back again. It also works for people who want to avoid bringing two cars out to the trail.
If someone is interested in providing shuttles, you may contact the PTA and your name and contact info will be added to the list.
The people on this list are individuals who shuttle on their time off. Arrangements are best made at least a week or two in advance.
You can also contact the Cheaha State Park Country Store at (256) 488-5115. They do not keep a list, but there is always an off chance that they may know someone who would be willing to give you a ride.
Here is a list of shuttle providers available at this time:
Justin Howard ~ (256) 343-9725 ~ (256) 488-5115
Parking and Trailhead Safety Shuttle providers are often excellent sources of information on trailhead parking. Although the PTA can never guarantee the safety of any location, remote trailheads tend to have the greatest risk. To help minimize risk, never leave valuables in sight. The best place to stow them is in the trunk.
Pricing At this point, there has been little demand for shuttle services, so a standard rate hasn't been established yet. The suggested price would be somewhere between $.50 to $1.00 per mile, which is about the going rate for Appalachian Trail shuttlers. Your mileage will be from where you're picked up to where you're dropped off.