Alabama · Hiking

Orange Trail

1.7 mi
round trip
461 ft
climb
1,698 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Orange Trail 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.

Orange Trail is an easy hike of about 1.67 miles in Alabama, set at the edge of Little River Canyon National Preserve and within DeSoto State Park. The land is managed by State Park and Recreation, and the route is an out-and-back that reaches a high point of 1,698 feet. The climb is steady, with a total gain of 461 feet over the round trip, and the steepest stretch comes early, around 0.33 miles from the start, where the grade reaches about 11%. 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 is similar at about 70°F by day. That station sits roughly 577 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The Blue Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Knotty Pine Mountain Bike Trail and Family Bike Loop are each about 0.3 mile off. Winter Wall, a climbing area, lies about 2.4 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Orange Trail

    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, 5.2 mi away at 1,121 ft. The station sits about 600 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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