Alabama · Hiking

Harris Trail

1.0 mi
round trip
604 ft
climb
1,147 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Oct–Dec
best months

Harris Trail is an easy out-and-back hike in Alabama's Wade Mountain Preserve, a non-governmental organization-managed preserve about 1.03 miles long. The trail climbs about 196 feet one way, with the high point at 1,147 feet, and the route totals about 2.1 miles round trip. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Huntsville show October highs around 76°F with lows near 52°F, while July averages reach about 92°F. That station sits roughly 500 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the preserve run a little cooler. The hike is short, with about an hour estimated for the round trip. Shovelton Trail and Devil's Racetrack Trail both start about 0.1 mile away, and Rockwall Trail is about 0.4 mile off. For time on the water, the Brier Fork Flint River offers canoeing about 6.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Oct–Dec

    Best time to visit Harris Trail

    Best months: February–May and October–December. 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

      52° / 33°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      57° / 36°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      65° / 43°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 51°

      10 wet

    5. May

      83° / 60°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 68°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      92° / 71°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 70°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 63°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      76° / 52°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 41°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 36°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Huntsville Intl Ap, AL, 16.1 mi away at 624 ft. The station sits about 500 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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