Bankhead Trail

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

From the Land Trust of North Alabama's Bankhead Parkway Parking Lot, cross the road and the trail is immediately on the right of the large clearing. It meanders through the woods just below the paved road parallel to the older Flat Rock Trail before taking a few switchbacks to meet back up with the paved road.

Although this trail is relatively narrow, it is not terribly difficult. There are occasional small rocks and obstacles on the trail but it flows well. A few stream crossings with rock armoring will slow you down at times, but this is one of the smoothest trails on the Land Trust side of Monte Sano.

Some portions of the trail have markers denoting it as the Flat Rock Trail, but the official LTNA maps show it as the Bankhead Trail. About halfway up the trail, you'll encounter the intersection with the Oak Park Trail, which will take you to the new Oak Park Trail. The trail crosses a power line easement before the switchbacks begin.

After three switchbacks, the trail continues a climb up to the "blockade" parking area near the intersection Bankhead Parkway and Fearn Street. A new bridge crosses a seasonal stream prior to a steep section of the climb. Just before reaching the upper end of the trail, there is another steep section cut into the side of the mountain below the parking area.