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Alabama may not boast the big East Coast mountain ranges that can be found in nearby Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, but the Appalachian Mountains actually do extend into northern Alabama, providing an amount of topographic change that those unfamiliar with the state might find quite surprising. Even in central Alabama, large hills and rolling forests can be found, providing the perfect canvas on which to draw expansive networks of mountain bike trails.
While the names of the state’s top five trail networks haven’t changed in years, most have been significantly improved and expanded over the past decade. And though riders may still flock to destinations like Oak Mountain, the latest trail developments have introduced modern flow trails and aggressive descending options.
The riding in Alabama has never been better! Get started with these five fantastic trails:
Coldwater Mountain, Anniston
Coldwater Mountain has evolved from an ambitious work in progress into arguably the best trail system in Alabama, and it might just be hitting its stride as a legitimate world-class destination. With about 56 miles of singletrack now carved into the mountain, this network delivers on its original promise of diversity—everything from flowy cross-country trails and backcountry-style singletrack to jump lines and technical black diamond descents. The recent completion of the 8.5-mile Southern Traverse trail in 2025, built with over $1 million in new investment, opens up an entirely new zone on the south side of the mountain and brings that original 60-mile vision tantalizingly close. Signature trails like Bomb Dog have been reworked by professional builders from Rock Solid Trails and Flow Motion to improve sustainability while keeping the character that makes them must-ride trails. And now the system can boast that it hosts the most easterly Leadville qualifying race…