Alabama · Hiking

Pinhoti Trail

7.6 mi
round trip
3,149 ft
climb
1,863 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Dec
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 2 h ago

Is Pinhoti Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in Alabama. It doesn't name Pinhoti Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in Alabama. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Pinhoti Trail is a 7.6-mile out-and-back hike on Forest Service land in the Shoal Creek Ranger District of the National Forests in Alabama. It rises from a starting point of about 840 feet to a high of 1,863 feet, with a total climb of 3,149 feet over the round trip. The trail is rated expert, and the route's steepest stretch comes at about 1.9 miles in, where the grade reaches 28 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for the hike. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cedartown, Georgia, run to highs around 75°F in April and October, while July and August average highs near 91°F. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The trip takes about six and a half hours. Oakey Trail Shelter Site is less than a mile away, and North Dugger Trail Shelter Site is about 3.3 miles off. Paddlers can reach South Fork Terrapin Creek and Terrapin Creek, both about 4.9 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Pinhoti Trail

    Best months: February–May and September–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

      53° / 32°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      57° / 35°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 41°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 49°

      8 wet

    5. May

      81° / 58°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      88° / 67°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 70°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 69°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      85° / 63°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      75° / 50°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 39°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      56° / 35°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cedartown, GA, 17.9 mi away at 785 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors