Quail Ridge Loop
- 1.1 mi
- loop
- 80 ft
- climb
- 437 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Oct–May
- best months
Quail Ridge Loop is a short, easy hike of about 1.1 miles in a loop, set within Wehle Nature Preserve in Alabama. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the trail rises from about 350 feet to about 440 feet, with a total climb of 80 feet and a total descent of 133 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.6 miles in, with a 10% grade. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Clayton put April highs around 76°F and October highs around 78°F, while July averages about 91°F. The trail is closed to bikes and horses. Connector Trail lies about 0.3 miles away, and The Pines Trail and Bottomland Cut-off are each within a mile. Paddlers can reach South Fork Cowikee Creek, about 4.6 miles off.
- Connector TrailHiking0.3 mi
- The Pines TrailHiking0.6 mi
- Bottomland Cut-offHiking0.7 mi
- South Fork Cowikee CreekCanoeing4.6 mi
- Pea RiverCanoeing8.2 mi
- Middle Fork Cowikee CreekCanoeing9.9 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Canyon Loop TrailHiking · ~56 min drivePhoto: StephenGA, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
Backcountry TrailHiking · ~56 min drivePhoto: StephenGA, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)- Bartram National Recreational TrailHiking · ~52 min drive
- BartramHiking · ~53 min drive
- CanyonsHiking · ~56 min drivePhoto: StephenGA, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
- Mountain Laurel TrailHiking · ~60 min drive
- BOLD DESTINY HORSE TRAILHiking · ~53 min drive
- Connector TrailHiking · Next door
- Lumpkin TrailHiking · ~1h 4m drive
- Pleasant Hill Mtn Bike TrailHiking · ~53 min drive
Also worth it near here
Best time to visit Quail Ridge Loop
Best months: October–May. 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.
Jan
58° / 37°
8 wet
Feb
63° / 40°
8 wet
Mar
70° / 46°
7 wet
Apr
76° / 52°
6 wet
May
84° / 61°
7 wet
Jun
89° / 69°
9 wet
Jul
91° / 71°
10 wet
Aug
90° / 71°
9 wet
Sep
86° / 66°
6 wet
Oct
78° / 55°
5 wet
Nov
68° / 45°
5 wet
Dec
60° / 40°
8 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Clayton, AL, 11.9 mi away at 569 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
