The mountains of northeastern Alabama are home to some of the best highways and byways in the entire southeastern United States. Northeast Alabama is bountiful, with more national forests, state parks, wilderness areas, and historic landmarks than any other state could hold in a small geographic area. The state boasts of providing maximum protection for the land without having too many densely populated areas and the best part is close to the start of the Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway

The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway is approximately 80 miles long and connects parts of DeKalb, Cherokee, Cleburne, and Calhoun counties. The bypass begins at Interstate 59 in Fort Payne; follows Alabama Highway 35, Alabama Highway 273, Alabama Highway 68, US Highway 411, and Alabama Highway 9; and ends at Interstate 20 in Heflin. The bypass has access from Lookout Mountain in the north to Alabama’s highest peak on Cheaha Mountain. Along the route are tourist sites such as Little River Canyon, Weiss Lake, and the Cheaha Wilderness Area. Talladega Scenic Drive and Lookout Mountain Parkway are also great routes to take in the beautiful mountain scenery.

Talladega Scenic Drive

Talladega Scenic Drivetakes you on a 26-mile journey through the Cheaha Mountains and Talladega National Forest, the southernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountain Range. It passes through US Highway 281 near Heflin and US Highway 78 or State Route 20 and ends after Cheahea Wilderness and Adams Gap Road.

Cheaha Mountainhas a path that leads directly to the highest mountain peak of 2,407 feet located off of State Route 49 in the Cheaha State Park and Wilderness Area. The park has a 9.6-mile trail that combines two other trails of approximately 5.3 miles and runs through the Talladega National Forest, where turkeys can be seen running wild.

Talladega National Forest it runs along State Route 9 and is part of the Cheaha State Park and Wilderness Area. The fall colors of this forest are a wonderful site, as well as the red-eyed bass in the lake for fishing during the season. The landscape is absolutely stunning.

Mountain green route viewpoint

Mountain green route viewpoint it runs some 50 miles across northeastern Alabama and is named after Lookout Mountain, one of the richest cave regions in the world. The parkway includes several highways and is considered a multiple highway. Destinations include DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Park. DeSoto State Park it is located just off State Route 59 and US Highway 39. There is much to see and do with educational nature centers, swimming pools, hiking, biking and much more. Desoto Falls is one of the main attractions in the park with a huge drop of about 104 feet.

Little River Canyon National Park it is located along AL Highway 176 (off AL Highway 35). Little River Canyon is located near Fort Payne, Alabama, has a 23-mile long scenic drive and 9 lookouts. Backcountry trails and waterfalls are also highlights of the area.