Adams Gap Trailhead: Skyway Loop Hiking Trail

The skyway loop trail in Alabama is located in the Talladega National Forest on the Adams Gap Trailhead. A small, free parking area is provided at the beginning of the trailhead. A trail marker to the right of the parking area designates the beginning of the trail.

Do not be discouraged with the overgrowth and rocky start. After two-tenths of a mile, you will reach the section where the trail splits, offering paths to the Pinhoti and Skyway Loop trails, and the path will smooth out. I do recommend hiking poles for the Skyway loop trail because, even though it doesn't stay rocky, there are places the poles will come in handy.

The Skyway Loop trail heads downward through the Talladega National Forest. You will walk alongside a babbling brook, through wild ferns, and might even catch some wildlife if you're lucky. Lizards are abundant in the national forest, so keep your eyes open for the little reptiles. Deer and armadillos are also sometimes spotted on the Skyway Loop trail.

The Skyway Loop trail is narrow in some places, so hiking poles will help with balance and coordination, ensuring no mishaps. If you pay attention, you will have no problem navigating the trail. Hiking poles will also help push any overgrowth out of the way at the beginning of the trail.

The two miles of trail we hiked were very serene and offered a relaxing hike, despite a few places were deadfall blocked the trail and we had to walk around it. There is a society for maintaining hiking trails in the area, but from the hikes we have taken, they aren't very active. Be on the lookout for fallen trees blocking the trail.

The return trip to the parking area will certainly get the heart pumping because it is on a slight incline the whole way. It is not steep or particularly hard, but the steady rise will burn some calories. Hiking poles will help keep some of the strain off knees and ankles while going uphill and offer something for leverage when stepping over stumps and rocks on the return leg of the hike.

All in all, the Skyway Loop trail is a nice hike for intermediate level hikers. I wouldn't advise beginner hikers do the trail because of the rocks, narrow path, and incline. After you have a few hikes under your belt, the Skyway Loop trail is one you should check out.

A link is provided with pictures of the Skyway Loop Trail.