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Talladega National Forest
Alabama
Central Alabama's Talladega National Forest makes a great comeback story. It is a wonderful example of what can happen to land that was formerly cut-over and abandoned. Before it was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area that comprises the Talladega was some of the most abused, eroded wastelands in all of Alabama.
Since the Appalachian Trail starts in Georgia, that's where many believe the Appalachian mountain range begins. Not so. The southern edge of the Appalachians is in Alabama, in the Talladega Division of the Talladega National Forest. This is an achingly beautiful area of rugged mountains, forests, waterfalls, and streams. The tiny Cheaha Wilderness preserves a portion of this natural wealth near Rebecca Mountain. Many believe more of this region strongly deserves such protection.
The Talladega's profusion of wildlife is exceptional. Squirrels, rabbits, grouse, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobcats are here year-round—in abundance. The pine forests of these hills have been managed to give sorely needed nesting areas for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. And hordes of migrant songbirds pass through in season, especially spring: warblers, indigo buntings, tanagers, brown-headed nuthatches, and more.
This is the Deep South. Spring and fall are favorite times to be off and about in the forest; summer can be hot and humid.
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