Alabama · Hiking

Fanning Trail

3.1 mi
round trip
1,388 ft
climb
1,327 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Fanning Trail is a 3.06-mile moderate hike in Alabama, about half a mile from the community of Huntsville Hills. The trail is an out-and-back route that climbs to about 1,327 feet from a starting point near 812 feet, with a total round-trip gain of 1,388 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, around 0.56 miles in, with a grade of about 26 percent. Bikes are allowed on the trail, but horses are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 74°F with lows near 47°F, and April highs around 71°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. Several other trails start close by. Jones Valley Loop Trail and Stevenson Trail are each about 0.1 mile away, and Walsingham Trail is about 0.3 mile off. West Bluff Trail lies roughly 1.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Fanning Trail

    Best months: February–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      50° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 32°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 39°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      78° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 68°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 67°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 47°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 36°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Owens Cross Roads 3s, AL, 9.7 mi away at 590 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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