Northeast Alabama’s Little River Canyon is special for many reasons. If dropping more than 1,000 feet in elevation and holding the most intense whitewater in the state is not enough, it is also home to many endangered species, and is surrounded by quite possibly the most scenic drive in our state.

Most boaters know about the heralded whitewater, and many sports car and motorcycle enthusiasts know about the Canyon Rim Drive, but there is a side to Little River Canyon that almost anyone can experience. The hiking in LRC is little-known but is as diverse as its ecosystems.

From Highway 176, known as the Canyon Rim Drive or Loop, there are five graded and marked hiking trails. Depending on one’s skill and physical endurance level, there are two in particular that offer a great experience.

Lower Two-Mile Trail is a steep, one-way trail that descends hundreds of feet in about two tenths of a mile. It is not for the out-of-shape and should not be attempted in flip-flops. It takes hikers directly from the canyon’s rim to the canyon’s floor and offers a beautiful resting or picnic spot on the river.

From the small gravel lot, the trail becomes well-defined, but does not stay that way for long. Because of its steep grade, Lower Two-Mile is probably the least traveled of the five marked trails in the park. It follows the most direct route to the water, so can be confused for a drainage at times. The trail gets rocky and enters a Rhododendron thicket about halfway down. The water enters ear-shot but only becomes visible when the Rhodo fades into a young and thin hardwood area.

The tread turns from rocky clay to a softer, sandy material as the trail fades away near the water. It appears to continue to either the left or right, but recent storm damage seems to make continuing the hike impossible. The hike back up to the canyon rim is intense. One should utilize the large flat rocks as resting spots, downing half a Nalgene at one is not out of the question.

Beaver Pond Trail is quite the opposite of Lower-Two Mile. The trail is very well-marked, its grade is nearly flat and its natural features are great for viewing wildlife.

Signage indicates a 1.8 mile loop, but a quarter mile add-on is well worth the effort. From the medium-sized gravel lot the trail goes one way to a bridge then forks. Hikers can travel either way as the trail loops back to the bridge. Follow signs to the Beaver Pond Overlook (the quarter-mile add on) for a nice resting bench and miniature pavilion overlooking a marshy area created by crafty beaver. The numerous footprints around the bench indicate a plethora of wildlife frequent this watering hole.

The trail is nearly flat throughout and narrow enough to still feel like one is in the woods. It does not offer views of the canyon, it is in fact on the opposite side of the highway from the canyon, but it is shady, and at times secluded, offering a break from the loud motorcycles that seem to always be around.

So leave the thunderous bikes at home and don’t bother with the plastic boats; Little River Canyon should be explored on foot.

Full-size maps are available for download.

~ Justin Brimer

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