Trail Running in Birmingham, Alabama

The trail running opportunities in the Birmingham area are surprisingly vast. The Jemison Trail makes for a relaxing, low traffic run through some of the most scenic neighborhoods in Alabama. This trail in Mountain Brook mimics a true trail run (a term generally reserved for trails that don’t include a sidewalk) in the middle of the prettiest suburb in the Birmingham.

For a longer run in deeper woods, the 12-miles of trails at Ruffner Mountain are simply perfect for trail runners and hikers, exclusively designed for them (no mountain bikers or motorized vehicles) and offering great views of downtown Birmingham. Enjoy the wildflowers and gentle grades of the Trillium Trail before tackling the challenging Ridge and Valley Trail, which will eventually wind you to the defining feature of Ruffner Mountain: the quarry. By the time you make it back to the visitor center, this full route will give you a challenging 5-mile run or hike.

Another great choice for trail running is Red Mountain Park, only minutes from downtown, and featuring plenty of history and adventure. And of course, the well-loved trails at Oak Mountain State Park are always great for trail running, and so too are the paths at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.