Birmingham, Alabama, also known as the “Magic City,” was founded in the late 19th century and was fueled by its success in the iron and steel industries. There is still so much evidence of this industrial history within the city. The Vulcan statue, which dominates Birmingham’s southside skyline, is the largest cast iron statue in the world. Sloss Furnace, once a major iron-producing furnace, operated from 1882 to 1971, and is now a National Historic Landmark and a great place to visit. Despite Birmingham’s industrial history, this city is much more than just a concrete jungle. There are so many green spaces and places to enjoy outdoor activities in Birmingham, Alabama. Whether its hiking, running, kayaking, or simply relaxing at one of Birmingham’s public parks, you are sure to find something you enjoy within my list of 15 outdoor activities in Birmingham, Alabama.
1. Kayak down the Cahaba River from Grant’s Mill to Old Overton Road
To kayak down the Cahaba River from Grant’s Mill to Old Overton Road, you’ll need to bring your own kayaks and you’ll need 2 cars. Park one car at Cahaba River Walk Park at Old Overton Road: 3424-3400 River Terrace Dr, Vestavia Hills, AL 35223 and drive the other car with your kayaks in tow to Grant’s Mill: 2171 Grants Mill Road Irondale, AL 35210. There are about 20 parking spaces on the side of the road. Park here then carry your kayaks down the concrete path from the parking lot. Enter the water from the large cement landing block and then enjoy the float! The trip down the river back to your car is slow and relaxing. It takes several hours and is 6.9 miles long. The best time to float the river is in the Spring when the water is high and the weather is pleasant. When you reach the end of the journey, you’ll see another concrete slab “landing zone” area where you will get out of the water. Pay attention to your GPS if you’re not familiar with the area. You want to make sure to get out at Old Overton Road where your car is parked. Old Overton Road’s parking lot accommodates about 10 cars. There is a picnic table next to the parking lot. A short steep walk on a concrete path leads you back to your car. Load the kayaks up then head to grab your other car at Grant’s Mill.
2. Paddleboard or Kayak at Oak Mountain State Park
Bringing your own kayak or paddle board is the best option, but if you don’t own one, you can rent from Flip Side Water Sports located right next to Oak Mountain Lake at Oak Mountain State Park. Rentals are available beginning in March and are on a first come, first served basis. Hours are Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
Rental includes life vest and paddles. If you enter the park from the front entrance, you’ll drive all the way to the back of the park until you reach lakes on both sides of the road and can’t go any farther. Park at the lake on the left and you’ll see the Flip Side Sports building. If you enter the back entrance (by turning right onto Oak Mountain Lake Road from 119) the parking lot next to Flip Side is right there on your right. Entry to the park is $5 cash
Prices are as follows:
- Stand-up Paddleboard $20/hr
- Single-person Kayak $20/hr
- Tandem Canoe $20/hr
- Tandem Kayak $25/hr
3. King’s Chair Hike at Oak Mountain
Also at Oak Mountain is my favorite hike in Birmingham. The hike to the King’s Chair overlook is a 4 mile out and back hike from Oak Mountain’s North Trailhead parking lot. Follow the blue trail up a gradual ascent of about 700 feet. The culmination of the hike is a rocky ledge from which there is a stunning view high above the trees within the park. Entry into the park is $5 per person (cash). This hike can be completed all year round.
4. Kayak at Blue Water Park
Known best as a premier scuba diving spot, blue water park is a quarry full of crystal blue water. The park offers dive training, scuba diving equipment rentals, and kayak/paddleboard rentals. I recommend kayaking out onto the water for a relaxing day.
- Entrance into the park is $27 per person
- The park opens in April and hours are Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm
5. Hike to Grace’s Gap Overlook at Red Mountain Park
Red Mountain Park is full of great trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking. One of my favorite trails is Grace’s Gap which culminates with a rustic rope bridge leading to a treehouse in the woods. Just past the treehouse several hundred feet is a great view of the Birmingham skyline. The hike is 3.9 miles out and back. You’ll gain about 380 feet of elevation and the hike is slippery and muddy at times. There are also portions of uneven terrain. Watch your feet for rocks and roots. This is a great running trail but because of the uneven terrain, I wouldn’t attempt biking it. There are, however, a number of bike friendly trails within Red Mountain Park.
6. Hike at Ruffner Mountain
Ruffner mountain is one of my favorite Birmingham area parks. It is only about 15 minutes from downtown. I recommend a hike to the overlook via the Quarry Trail. The hike is 2.8 miles out and back with 383 feet of elevation gained. Entry to the park is free but a donation is suggested. There is a nice, paved parking lot with public restrooms at the trailhead. The overlook at the end of the Quarry Trail has a great view of the Birmingham skyline. Ruffner mountain contains several great trails which are connected to and surrounding this one. I recommend heading out there and exploring a few trails.
For an extra special moment at this overlook, go for sunset. Bring a headlamp since after the sun sets you will have about a mile and a half walk back to the car.
7. Walk or Bike the Lakeshore Trail
The Lakeshore trail, across from Samford University, is one of my favorite places to run in Birmingham. The trail was originally 2.5 miles long, but an additional 1.5 miles has recently been added. The entire trail is paved making it a great place to bike or ride scooters or roller blades. The main parking lot is near Homewood Soccer Park. This trail is often busy.
8. Visit the Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical gardens are one of the most beautiful public places in Birmingham. Entry is free and the park is open every day 7am-6pm. With over 30 different gardens and 67.5 acres, you can spend quite a while walking through the gardens, admiring, and learning. Grab lunch at The Garden Cafe afterward. Make sure to check out the Japanese Maple Trees in bloom in the spring. There is a Cherry Blossom Festival every March within the Japanese gardens which features traditional dance and Japanese goods for sale by local vendors. This year the festival will take place on March 29, 2025, from 10am-4pm.
9. Watch sunset from Stratford Road
This neighborhood spot in Birmingham has one of the best views of the Birmingham Skyline and is a great spot for sunset. This location is somewhat well known but not usually crowded. Bring a blanket to sit on. The area is grassy and marked off by a chain fence. Stratford road is a one-way street in Mountain Brook. This is a residential area so be sure to be respectful of that. Don’t leave your car overnight or it will be towed.
10. Walk down the Rotary Trail
The rotary trail is a half mile long paved trail in downtown Birmingham. It is 2 blocks from the beautiful Railroad Park. For a full morning of fun, I recommend walking around railroad park, grabbing a coffee at Red Cat, and then heading down to the Rotary Trail for a stroll down and back. Bicycles are not allowed on the rotary trail so make sure to leave those at home and just walk. The sign at the Rotary Trail is also a great photo spot!
It is the goal of the city to extend the rotary trail all the way to Cahaba Brewery and most of the trail is complete. Walking straight from the end of the rotary trail, you can continue 2 miles more to Cahaba Brewery, but sections of trail are missing. For example, there is no trail through Avondale. You can walk along the sidewalk until you get to the back of Avondale Brewery where the path picks up again and can be followed to Cahaba.
11. Hike or climb at Moss Rock
Moss Rock is another great public park just outside of Birmingham. It is located in Hoover, Alabama and contains several great walking trails. I recommend hiking the 5.2-mile Moss Rock Preserve Loop. The hike is well maintained and you’ll ascend a rolling 597 feet elevation. If you’re into bouldering, Moss Rock is probably the best place in town for it. Grab a margarita and tacos at Moss Rock Preserve Tacos afterward.
12. Feed ducks at Avondale Park
Avondale Park is sort of an underdog in the Birmingham park scene as compared to Railroad Park and Vulcan Park, but it is truly one of my favorites. There is a short walking path around the pond. There are always geese and ducks in the pond and I have seen a blue heron on several occasions. Walk to Avondale Brewery afterward and grab a beer
13. Walk at Railroad Park
Railroad Park is a stunning inner-city park within downtown Birmingham. I recommend walking the 0.5-mile loop around the park’s periphery. This is also a great spot to set up a picnic on the grassy areas around the pond and watch the trains go by or for sunset. Grab coffee at Red Cat to sip while you walk and enjoy donuts at Hero Donuts afterward.
14. Walk the Vulcan Trail
The Vulcan Trail is a 2 mile, half paved, half gravel path at the base of Birmingham’s iconic Vulcan statue. The trail overlooks the Birmingham skyline and is exceptionally beautiful at sunset. After walking the trail, visit Vulcan Park Museum and ride the elevator to the top of the statue itself for the best views of Birmingham. The history of the Vulcan Statue is fascinating! It is the largest cast iron statue in the world and the nation’s largest statue of any kind. It was built by Italian sculptor, Giuseppe Moretti as Birmingham’s entry for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World’s Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri.
15. Play Pickleball at City Walk
Birmingham’s City Walk urban park opened in 2022 and has 10 blocks of walking trails, skate parks, dog parks, pickleball courts, and green spaces underneath the I-59/20 interstate. The park is really beautiful and well cared for by the city. On the weekends and evenings, the pickleball courts are full of people out enjoying the space. Whether you play pickleball or not, I recommend getting out to City Walk and exploring the area. It’s so nice to have an area like with right within downtown.
At first glance, Birmingham, Alabama looks like a concrete jungle, but Birmingham truly does have a lot to offer in the way of outdoor activities. Hopefully this list of 15 outdoor activities in Birmingham, Alabama helps you enjoy them. If you’re looking to road trip just outside the city for a bit, check out my other post: Day Trips from Birmingham Alabama | All the Way Alanna
Enjoy!
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