Hike - Swim and Play

Hope you’ll join us for a wonderful Chinnabee Silent Trail Hike - Swim and Play in the beautiful Talladega National Forest.  First we will make a trip to the bluffs by the lodge, where we can rock hop & take in beautiful views. Please bring $3 for the park entrance fee.

Then it is just a short drive  to the trailhead. After just 1 mile, we’ll enjoy exploring Cheaha Falls and the surrounding rapids.  After we've spent a decent amount of time we'll then hike another 2 1/2 miles over to the larger waterfall at Devil's Den.  We'll have lunch at the 2nd waterfall and plan on spending a full 90 minutes enjoying the falls and pool (very suitable for swimming).  This will be an "in and out" hike of around 7 miles total distance. A maximum of three dogs will be allowed on this hike.

** Weather permitting there will be an optional after-hike picnic on the bluffs inside the park. Eat & enjoy the views. Bring a small cooler (you will have to carry it 1/2 mile) with picnic supplies. Please be respectful of the park by packing everything out that you pack in. **

The trail is named for Creek Indian Chief Chinnabee, an ally of Andrew Jackson during the Creek War.  The designation of “Silent Trail” comes from the trail’s builders.  Between 1973 and 1976, Boy Scout Troop 29 from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind created the trail with the help of the USDA Forest Service.  The hike is considered by many to be one of the most enjoyable in the state. 

* If you are meeting us at the event, we'll see you at 9:00 Central time at the Cheaha State Park Headquarters.  

** We'll have one creek to cross at the first falls, but I'll allow folks to change out shoes for this.  Once we reach our lunch spot you may change into Quick-dry clothing or a bathing suit. River shoes or an old pair of sneakers should be fine unless you prefer boots for some reason.  No flip-flops though.  If you want to change into your favorite skimpy bikini or Speed-O at lunch, that's fine!

*** If weather does not allow us to picnic after the hike we'll stop at Johnny's New York Style Pizza for a tasty, well-earned meal.  Johnny's is conveniently located at our carpool location -so if you need to head home when we return to the carpool location, you'll have that as an option - but you'll miss out on some great pizza, subs and fellowship!

From Atlanta area take I-20 WEST into Alabama

Take exit # 191 & Turn LEFT on U.S. Highway 431

Drive  3.7 miles & Turn RIGHT onto County Rd 131

Turn LEFT onto Highway 281 

Go south on 281 for 12.5  miles & Turn RIGHT into the Cheaha Resort State Park Headquarters.  

There is a store with restrooms to the left when you enter. We will meet there before we continue driving to the trailhead.  *The trailhead is located approx 3 miles south of the park headquarters on the left.  The trailhead we are using is directly across the road, NOT the one by the parking lot*

We will allow three dogs on this hike, but they must be on 6' leads at all times.