We Took A Magical Spring Walk In Alabama At The New Trail At Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
By Lisa Battles|Published April 19, 2024
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
There’s a legit new trail at Wheeler Wildlife National Refuge in Decatur, Alabama that made for a lovely spring weekend dog walk recently. Granted, most trails feel like new trails in Alabama to me after living away from home for 20 years. This trail is new to everyone, though; it’s only been open for a little over a year.
While I’ve not had time to explore the many walking trails Alabama has throughout the state, I do walk a lot locally in North Alabama. That’s because my dog count has grown by one for each of the three years I have been back home. It is not at all easy to walk two big shepherd mixes and a young, stocky squirrel dog in a pack. They’re barely civilized at home.
So, they each get solo walks for special attention besides their group playtimes in my yard. Unless the weather is bad, that's at least one dog walk every day and sometimes two. Trying new trails changes up the paths for all these pup walks. For this outing, I took out foster (fail?) Bruce. I brought him into the mix about a month ago after he'd been at our local shelter way too long, especially as a one-year-old at a critical time for developing his best dog self.
Lisa Battles
So beyond my dog situation, here's the most essential info for the trail: You can find the new 4.6-mile hiking and biking trail at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge by turning into the Visitor Center entrance on State Route 67 and then almost immediately turn left to access a large, gravel parking lot. One thing I immediately liked about this trail is you can use the parking lot and trail when the refuge visitor center drive gate is closed, too. This is a perfect accommodation for those much longer summer days when there's plenty of light left for a hike or ride and the visitor center may not be open.
I've meant to get out to this new trail since it officially opened in 2022. When we finally did, it was immediately obvious I was not the only one who had just been thinking about it and not getting around to it. It was not at all busy on a weekend day in gorgeous weather.
Lisa Battles
That's a peak time for other trails in Decatur, like the older (also nice), 1.6-mile Flint Creek Trail. It is located just north of where Highway 67 passes through the refuge lands. Compared to this one, it's more wooded, narrow, and best for walking and hiking versus biking.
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As for this new trail, if I was more into cycling, it'd be a dream compared to others around here. And there's still plenty of room for us dog walkers who like our nature time to be a little less people-y.
Lisa Battles
This new trail is wide almost the whole way, all crushed gravel and flat. It's probably a 20-minute, casual bike ride because it was about an hour-long leisurely walk for us.
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The views alternate between woods, water, and open, grassy fields. If you've not noticed from my story here, leashed dogs are welcome on this trail. This recently-freed pound puppy was in absolute heaven.
Along the way, we turned a corner to see an especially bright pocket of flowering trees by the water.
Lisa Battles
We spent a few minutes taking in that scene. While you'll see many wildflowers in the refuge this time of year, this trail was mostly splashed with emerald green against the bright blue skies. As far as blooms go, this little area was probably the most colorfully concentrated spot that day.
Lisa Battles
When you reach just less than two miles in, it forks for the last half mile out. We went to the right, which led us under a soaring forest canopy, through another field and back into trees, where it ends.
Lisa Battles
The trail end was kind of anti-climactic with a simple sign. Bruce was still impressed. He's still a puppy, so just about everything is as new to him as exploring Alabama trails is for me. Next time, we'll try the half mile on the left and see what we can see!
Lisa Battles
This trail is an out-and-back route, so you'll return the way you entered. While AllTrails says you can cut through the fields instead, I didn't see where that was an obvious option. We also enjoyed the wooded parts so much, I was happy to retrace my steps.
We think you’ll love this new trail at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, whether you do a dog walk, an easy jog, or a pleasant bike ride. You can read more reviews about this easy hiking and biking trail in Alabama via AllTrails before you go. Let us know all about your experience when you give it a try. Dog reviews are always welcomed, too.
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