Alabama · Hiking

Three Caves Loop

0.3 mi
distance
818 ft
high point
Lollipop
route
Easy
difficulty
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Three Caves Loop is a short, easy loop in Alabama's Monte Sano Nature Preserve, a protected area managed by a non-governmental organization. The trail is 0.28 miles long and sits entirely within the preserve, with the high point at 818 feet and the low at 732 feet. The route is nearly flat, with no elevation gain, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.2 miles in, where the grade reaches 9 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 about 230 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run a little cooler. The loop takes about half an hour to complete. It makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the preserve's network of trails. Waterline Trail is just 0.1 mile away, and Young - Kennedy Trail and Flourish Trail are within half a mile. Arrowhead Trail, a climbing area, is about 1.1 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Three Caves Loop

    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, 13.6 mi away at 590 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors