Drive the Talladega Scenic Byway
The Talladega Scenic Byway winds 26 miles along the Horseblock and Cheaham Mountains, the backbone of the southern Appalachian Mountains. The views along the way are spectacular. This is a route for those in love with changing seasons. Spring is the time for flowers and fresh growth. Summer brings blue haze, similar to the Blue Ridge mountains to the north. And fall brings pleasant coolness and even a little bit of leaf color. For those who want to get out of the car and really get close to nature, the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail has trailheads at several points along this byway. And the road reaches Alabama's highest point, 2,407-feet Cheaha Mountain, touching the wilderness area while it is at it.

Fish for Redeye Bass
Because of its southerly climes, the waters of the Talladega are too warm to support trout. But fear not, sport anglers. The waters are prime habitat for the Coosa redeye bass, a diminutive cousin of the smallmouth bass. Often referred to as the brook trout of warm-water species, redeyes are great sport on light-spinning tackle. The habitat has been made even better by simple stone dams built in the river. The dams provide nesting areas for the fish. The Uphapee and Choctafaula creeks offer anglers more great fishing. These streams are inhabited by catfish, bream, largemouth and spotted bass. Check in at the ranger station for leads on the best fishing spots.

Hike the Pinhoti Trail
The Pinhoti is a 102-mile trail system that many hope will soon connect to the Appalachian Trail. In fact, 3000 acres of land were recently purchased by the federal government to bring the forest closer to the Georgia state line - and the Chattahoochee National Forest where the AT begins. The dream moves closer to reality.

The name Pinhoti is derived from the Creek Indian words pinwa (turkey) and huti (house or home). This translates to turkey home - an apt name since turkeys love dense forest. The Pinhoit Trail currently runs from the rugged Dugger Mountain complex to a point south of Talladega. Along its winding way, the trail passes through pine and hardwood forests, runs along ridgetops, and ambles through shady hollows along lively mountain streams. The most popular section of trail passes through the Cheaha Wilderness, which has some of the most far-reaching views. Off the Pinhoti, the Odum Scout Trail, which leads to the sublime High Falls, is the most popular trail in Alabama.

Hike the William Bartram Trail
William Bartram was America's first native born naturalist/artist. In the 1770s, he made an epic journey through the southeast, studying nature and Indian culture along the way. It's fitting that this treasured 8-1/2 mile trail in Tuskegee National Forest should be named after him. The trail rolls along through hardwood bottoms and along pine ridges. Generally, the terrain is gently rolling, making for easy hiking. The trail is perhaps most magnificent in the spring when the wildflowers, dogwoods, and magnolias in bloom. But rest assured, every season has something to offer along this trail.

Ride into Destiny
The Bold Destiny/Bedford Cash Memorial Trail in Tuskegee National Forest offers 14 miles of high riding pleasure in the northern half of the forest. The trail winds through the rolling upland sand hills and piney forest. At some stream crossings, you'll encounter hardwood trees ranging from 80 to 90 years old.

Visit the Tsinia Wildlife Viewing Area
To make Tsinia more appealing for wildlife, agricultural crops are planted and a variety of shrubs are maintained to produce foods favored by the area's diverse wildlife. Hunting, fishing and trapping are prohibited. The forest is rich in virtually every species of wildlife indigenous to the region, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, grouse, and bobcats. The Tsinia's beaver ponds are of special interest in the Tsinia. The pine forests of these hills have been managed to provide badly needed nesting areas for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Visitors can view the area's wildlife from the area's hiking trails or two observation towers.