Alabama · Hiking

Keith Trail

1.3 mi
round trip
682 ft
climb
1,408 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Caution at last check

Weather is marginal · OpenWeather · checked 18 h ago

Keith Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Monte Sano State Park in Alabama, managed by State Park and Recreation. The trail is about 2.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 126 feet, and it reaches a high point of 1,408 feet. The route starts and ends at roughly 1,285 feet, and the steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.17 miles in, with a grade of 14 percent. 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. Sinks Trail and Goat Trail are each about 0.1 mile away, and Panther Knob Trail is about half a mile off. Climbers can find the Arrowhead Trail about 2.5 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Keith 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, 13.7 mi away at 590 ft. The station sits about 800 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Goat TrailPhoto: bionicteaching, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Goat Trail

Next door

2.45-mile out-and-back hike in Alabama with 653 ft gain

Stone Cuts TrailPhoto: bionicteaching, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Stone Cuts Trail

~1 min drive

Short Alabama trail featuring scenic cuts and geological interest.

HIKE

Sinks Trail

Next door

1.34-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama with 381 ft elevation gain

The PortalPhoto: dmtilley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Portal

~2 min drive

0.33-mile lollipop trail in Alabama with 9 ft gain and 89 ft loss.

Mountain Mist TrailPhoto: dmtilley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mountain Mist Trail

~2 min drive

2.89-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama with 698 ft gain and 879 ft loss.

HIKE

Panther Knob Trail

Next door

0.40-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama's state park system with 191 ft of elevation gain.

South Plateau LoopPhoto: dmtilley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Plateau Loop

~2 min drive

3.36-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama with 842 ft elevation gain.

Bankhead TrailPhoto: dmtilley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bankhead Trail

~3 min drive

1.89-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama with 707 ft gain.

HIKE

Mckay Hollow Trail

~2 min drive

2.38-mile out-and-back trail in Alabama with 751 ft gain.

High TrailPhoto: dmtilley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

High Trail

~4 min drive

3.35-mile lollipop trail in Alabama with 1,154 ft gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors