Cave Creek and Pinhoti Loop

Cheaha State Park, AL Southern Cumberland Plateau + Northern Alabama

Trip stats

Distance
7.6 mi
Net Gain
1,200 ft
Time
3-5 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop

Ratings out of 10

Effort
2.5/10
Personality
4/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
3.5/10
What do these mean? →

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

33.471072, -85.806638

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Jun 20, 2018 — The Cave Creek Trail leads along the side of a mountain with a few very obstructed views to the east. Don't miss a sign pointing west to take the spur trail linking the Cave Creek Trail to the Pinhoti Trail, the spur being slightly overgrown. The Pinhoti Trail leads to a bonus trail that takes you to a relaly nice overlook, easily the highlight of the hike, and passes the ruins of a plane crash. Continue on the Pinhoti Trail over some rocky terrain, ups and downs, and occasional overlooks, much more interesting than the first half of the loop on the Cave Creek Trail.

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Photos

27 photos

  1. Very nicely overly-manicured trailhead.
  2. Starting along the Cave Creek Trail, passing a cut for powerlines.
  7. Cave Creek Trail. This was likely the nicest view spot along this half of the loop.
  9. Approaching the spur trail.
  10. Joining with the Pinhoti Trail, some sections a bit overgrown.
  11. Along the first bit of the Pinhoti Trail, views east through the trees.
  12. Junction with the bonus trail.
  13. Plane crash ruins.
  14. Approaching the overlook.
  15. It's a much nicer overlook than this picture illustrates, mostly because it's hard to tell just how far that green ridge goes. The hill on the left was the first section of the Pinhoti Trail I was just on.
  16. Back on the Pinhoti Trail.
  17. Another overlook along the Pinhoti Trail.
  20. Cheaha Mountain, high point of Alabama.
  21. Some rocky and interesting sections along the Pinhoti Trail.
  25. Looking back along the Pinhoti Trail toward the ridgeline.
  26. A plaque explaining the Pinhoti Trail.
  27. Last leg of the Pinhoti Trail to complete the loop.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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