Alabama · Hiking

Gilliam Loop

3.4 mi
round trip
669 ft
climb
1,545 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Gilliam Loop open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists an alert for Little River Canyon National Preserve.

  • SEASONAL SAFETY MESSAGE

    Park alert covering Little River Canyon National Preserve · NPS · Little River Canyon National Preserve

As of · Source: NPS · Little River Canyon National Preserve. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Gilliam Loop is a 3.4-mile moderate hike in Alabama, set within Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park. The route is an out-and-back that reaches a high point of 1,545 feet, with the low point at 1,447 feet. The trail is managed by State Park and Recreation, and the climb totals about 200 feet of elevation gain. The route is roughly 6.8 miles long, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 9 percent. Bikes are allowed, so the loop works for hikers and riders alike. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Valley Head weather station show October highs around 72°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 70°F. That station sits about 424 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the loop run a little cooler. The Gillam Loop Trail and CCC Road both start about 0.1 mile away, and the Chalet Trail is about half a mile off. Paddlers can reach the East Fork Little River, about 2.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Gilliam Loop

    Best months: March–June 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

      49° / 30°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 32°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 39°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 63°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 67°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 33°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Valley Head, AL, 5.4 mi away at 1,121 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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