Here are some hiking and running trails in Birmingham, Alabama, that I use. There are others that are worthy of visiting, but this should be a good list to get you going.
Hiking in Birmingham
Oak Mountain State Park
http://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park
Oak Mountain State Park <- Google Profile
overall best hiking and camping in the area. So many different hiking trails with different levels of complexity
Ruffner Mountain
Ruffner Mountain <- Google Profile
In the city. In an old rock quarry. You can hike to a place that looks out over the city skyline.
Red Mountain
Red Mountain Park <- Google Profile
In the city on the opposite side to Ruffner. You drive through Homewood to get there. Built around iron mines and you can hike to a point that see the tree line. Supposedly some huge tree houses but I’ve never seen them. All levels of hiking.
Moss Rock Preserve
Moss Rock Preserve | Hoover, AL – Official Website
Moss Rock Preserve <- Google Profile
In Hoover near the mall. Giant boulders you can climb and squeeze through. Really fun. Easy trails.
Jogging trails
Jemison Trail
Jemison Park <- Google Profile
Jemison Park Nature Trail: 321 Reviews, Map – Alabama | AllTrails
The best place to run in Birmingham located in Mountain Brook. You run on a pavement and crushed rock trails very flat along a creek and mansion lined streets. Connects to the roads of Mountain Brook where you can make a loop through the city, which is very friendly to runners. Where I run multiple times a week.
Lake Shore trail
Shades Valley Greenway eastern trailhead (off Brookwood Village parking area) <- Google Profile
Shades Creek Greenway (Lakeshore Trail) – Great Runs
Some may say this is the best place to run. Wider paths, very flat, takes you through Homewood and Samford University and actually connects (in a way) to Jemison trail. To connect, just run through the Brookwood Mall parking lot and go under 280. The other side is the beginning of Jemison.
Dunnavant Valley Greenway
Dunnavant Valley Greenway <- Google Profile
Very easy trail south of the city but still close that goes along a creek where you can see gentle waterfalls. Less crowded but not the wow factor of the other trails. Easy to get to.
Railroad Park Downtown
Railroad Park Foundation <- Google Profile
Beautiful park with skyline views, across from the Birmingham Barons Baseball park and lined by cafes and shops. Connects to sidewalks that will take you on jog throughout the city or rent scooters or bikes provided by the city.
Rotary trail
Rotary Trail Birmingham <- Google Profile
New pathway through downtown Birmingham.
Veteran’s Park 5k trail
https://goo.gl/maps/Skm35AF8isF1FwrRA <- Google Profile
5k trail that is mostly flat with one big hill. Takes you around a pond, and then about half of the trail is through the woods. Huge park for kids to play.