ATLnature

ATLnature is your guide to Atlanta's trails and other rad nature stuff in the city. Live in the city but miss hiking on the weekends? Don’t have time (or a car!) for a trip to north Georgia? Did you know there are over 30 nature trails inside the perimeter of 285 alone?

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Wade Mountain Nature Preserve

Wade Mountain Wildlife Preserve
January 27, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

There are a wide variety of ecosystems along the trail. Biking and horseback riding are allowed on the trails.

Address: Spragins Hollow Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35810
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: Land Trust of North Alabama and City of Huntsville
Acres: 843
Approximate miles of trails: 12
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 180
Parking: Parking is available at both trailheads
Trailhead(s): The eastern trailhead is along Spragins Hollow Rd. The western trailhead is on Pulaski Pike (with signage for Wade Mountain Greenway).
Trail surface: The greenway trails are paved, multi-use paths. The other trails are natural surface.
Blazes/markings: The trails are blazed with metal blaze signs, attached to trees
Best time to visit: April is a good time for wildflowers

Links:

  • americantrails.org
  • Trail map
  • eBird
January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

Good to combine with:

  • Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
January 27, 2018 /Shawn Taylor
huntsville
parks
Comment
wheeler.png

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
January 27, 2018 by Shawn Taylor in parks

In the winter, the refuge is home to thousands of individual waterfowl and cranes. Some endangered Whooping Cranes even winter here! An observation building that's a short walk from the visitors center has bleacher seating and scopes for viewing. Check out the video below to get a feel for the numbers of waterfowl and cranes that can be seen from the observation building in late December or early January.

Address: 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road, Decatur, Alabama 35603
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Acres: 35,000
Approximate miles of trails: 5
Hours: The refuge is open during daylight hours. The visitors center is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily from October thru February and 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Tuesday thru Saturday from March thru September.
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 180
Parking: The main parking lot is at the visitors center
Trailhead(s): More info about the trails is available on the FWS website
Trail surface: Natural and boardwalk
Best time to visit: Waterfowl are at peak numbers in late December and early January. Wildflowers peak in April.
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 46 in Exploring Wild Alabama (1st edition)

Amenities:

  • Visitors center
    • Orientation video
    • Observation building
    • Maps
    • Restrooms
    • Gift shop

Links:

  • FWS
  • Refuge map
  • Trail info
  • eBird hotspot
Sandhill Crane, January 13, 2018

Sandhill Crane, January 13, 2018

January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018

Frozen wetlands at the Atkenson Trail, January 14, 2018

Frozen wetlands at the Atkenson Trail, January 14, 2018

Gadwall, January 14, 2018

Gadwall, January 14, 2018

Atkenson Trail, January 14, 2018

Atkenson Trail, January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018

Atkenson Trail, January 14, 2018

Atkenson Trail, January 14, 2018

Sandhill Crane, January 13, 2018

Sandhill Crane, January 13, 2018

January 13, 2018

January 13, 2018

Good to combine with:

  • Wade Mountain Nature Preserve
January 27, 2018 /Shawn Taylor
huntsville
parks
1 Comment