Chief Ladiga Trail - Remote to Urban Cycling in Alabama
Anniston, Alabama
The Chief Ladiga Trail
Distance: 40 miles
The Chief Ladiga Trail runs for nearly 40 miles through northeastern Alabama, beginning in Anniston and ending at the Alabama–Georgia state line near Piedmont. At the southern end, Anniston offers plenty of services and attractions. At the northern end, Piedmont provides a quieter small-town setting with lodging and connections to the Silver Comet Trail into Georgia.
Anniston is the trail’s main urban hub. The southern trailhead sits close to downtown, where the Anniston Museum of Natural History and the Berman Museum of World History are both within a short drive. These attractions are paired at Lagarde Park and make an easy stop for riders wanting to mix a morning ride with an afternoon indoors.
Launching from Anniston
Downtown Anniston has several restaurants and cafés, plus public art installations in a walkable area. Lodging is plentiful, so the city can serve as a convenient base for multi-day cycling in Alabama.
The trail is paved ts entire length. The corridor follows a former railroad, so the grade is consistently gentle. The wide surface allows for comfortable two-way use, and the pavement is mostly smooth, with only minor cracks or root heaves in certain shaded spots.
From Anniston, the trail heads north into Jacksonville. Jacksonville State University brings more activity to this section, with joggers, walkers, and students using the path. The town is a nice mid-ride stop, with coffee shops, restaurants, and convenience stores close to the trail. Beyond Jacksonville, the landscape opens into farmland, interspersed with stretches of forest and wetlands.
From mountain views to woods and wildlife
As the route continues north, views of Dugger Mountain and Choccolocco Mountain appear, adding a backdrop of ridges to the farmland scenery. Near Piedmont, which calls itself the home of this Alabama bike trail, the corridor passes through long wooded stretches, quieter and more remote. Wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys are often spotted here, particularly in early morning or evening hours.
Trailheads are spread along the corridor, with parking areas and basic facilities. Anniston, Jacksonville, and Piedmont provide the most reliable restrooms and water fountains. Between these towns, services are limited. The trail is rarely crowded along most stretches, but weekends bring more local users around Jacksonville and Piedmont.
Piedmont is the last town before the Georgia line, and it makes a natural staging point for riders continuing onto the Silver Comet Trail. Lodging and restaurants are available, with small diners and locally owned motels that give the town a slower pace than Anniston. Riders can enjoy Dugger Mountain Wilderness just outside of town for hiking or nature walks. The combination of small-town hospitality and easy access to the trail makes Piedmont a relaxing place to overnight.
The trail is a different ride in different seasons. Spring brings green farmland and wildflowers, fall delivers colorful foliage along wooded sections, and summer can be hot in the open farmland stretches, where shade is limited. Afternoon thunderstorms are common when the weather is warm, and riders should plan accordingly. Winter is rideable, though shaded areas sometimes hold ice after storms.
With a gentle grade, reliable surface, and connections to the Silver Comet Trail, The Chief Ladiga Trail is one of Alabama’s most significant long-distance rail-trails.
Photo: Wayne Ruple under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
Cyclists are raving about this Shimano pedal
Cycling in Alabama: The Chief Ladiga Trail
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