Smith Mountain Alpine Trail, Lake Martin Travel Guide

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Hike to a historic fire tower with panoramic lake views. Explore scenic trails at Smith Mountain, a natural treasure on Lake Martin.

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Smith Mountain Alpine Trail

Hike to the historic Smith Mountain Fire Tower, the highest point on Lake Martin, offering stunning 270-degree views. Explore diverse trails through old-growth forests and along secluded shorelines, maintained by the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association.

A brief summary to Smith Mountain Alpine Trail

Jacksons' Gap, Alabama, 36861, US
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Monday 6 am-6 pm
Tuesday 6 am-6 pm
Wednesday 6 am-6 pm
Thursday 6 am-6 pm
Friday 6 am-6 pm
Saturday 6 am-6 pm
Sunday 6 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Smith Mountain Alpine Trail.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the trails can be steep and rocky.
Bring water and snacks, especially for longer hikes.
Be aware of trail difficulty; the Little Smith Mountain Loop is not for inexperienced hikers or small children.
Visit during mid-April to May for the breathtaking display of mountain laurel.

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Smith Mountain Fire Tower

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Explore Smith Mountain Alpine Trail on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Smith Mountain Alpine Trail, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From Dadeville, AL, travel south on AL Hwy 49. Turn right onto W. Lafayette St. After 1.4 miles, turn left onto Young's Ferry Road. In 3.4 miles, turn left onto Smith Mountain Drive. After 0.2 miles, turn right onto Tower Road and follow it to the parking lot at the base of the trails. Parking is free in the large gravel lot.
Boating

Access Smith Mountain by boat via Lake Martin. Tie up at the small slough near the Island Hop Trail. Limited space is available for boats. Be prepared to wade through waist-deep water to access the trail. Follow the trails through the woods to the fire tower.

Discover more about Smith Mountain Alpine Trail

Smith Mountain Alpine Trail, located near Dadeville, Alabama, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The highlight is the Smith Mountain Fire Tower, a 90-foot structure erected in 1939 as part of a fire detection network. For four decades, it served as a sentinel over Lake Martin and the surrounding woodlands.In 2010, the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) acquired the tower and surrounding land, restoring it with the help of volunteers and donors. Today, the tower is open to the public, offering panoramic views of Lake Martin and the distant Talladega National Forest. The surrounding area features old-growth mountain longleaf pine forests and secluded shorelines.The trail system includes the steep, but short, Tower Trail (0.4 miles to the tower's base), the Lakeshore Trail (2.4 miles), the David M. Forker Island Hop/Boat Dock Trail (1.4 miles to the dock), and the challenging Little Smith Mountain Loop Trail (2.6 miles). The trails range from moderate to difficult, with the Little Smith Mountain Loop Trail noted for its potentially dangerous sheer cliffs.