Alabama · Hiking

Silver Trail

1.7 mi
round trip
678 ft
climb
1,768 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Silver 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.

Silver Trail is an easy hike in northern Alabama, set at the edge of Little River Canyon National Preserve and within DeSoto State Park. The route is about 1.67 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 678 feet over the round trip. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.68 miles in, where the grade reaches 7 percent. The trail starts and ends at roughly 1,473 feet, and the high point is about 1,768 feet. The trail is an out-and-back, and the trip takes about 1.5 hours. Bikes are allowed, so it works for a ride as well as a walk. The nearest town is Valley Head, about 4.7 miles away. 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 highs around 70°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. White Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Family Bike Loop and Knotty Pine Mountain Bike Trail are each about 0.3 mile off. Winter Wall, a climbing area, is about 1.9 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Silver 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, 4.7 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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