The southern state of Alabama has a diverse landscape, but not enough to include a desert. The state gets too much rain for that. It does have significant mountain terrain. According to mountainzone.com, it has just over 1,000 mountain peaks. Four prominent mountains are Cheaha, Lookout, Talladega and Dugger.
Cheaha Mountain in Cheaha State Park in Cleburne County houses the tallest point in Alabama at 2,382 feet. The mountain area is riddled with trees, waterfalls, and lakes. Its trails are large enough for mountain biking. The 2,800-acre park contains the southern connection to the Appalachian Trail. The total trail runs from Alabama to Maine, covering approximately 2,504 miles.
Lookout Mountain in DeKalb County in northeast Alabama rises to 1,980 feet. Bird watching and camping abound in the fall, spring and summer. Visitors can kayak on the Little River or rappel down the rock cliffs. The surrounding area includes Cloudmount, the southern-most ski resort in the United States, Buck's Pocket State Park, and the museum of the band Alabama.
Talladega Mountain in Clay County is the second tallest mountain in Alabama at 2,346 feet above sea level. The loop to the top of the mountain is 12 miles long. The mountain is part of the Talladega National Forest, which also includes to the Cheaha Mountain. There are a number of trails connecting the two as well as a bike path around Lake Howard. The entire area is open to the public for camping, fishing, hiking, and biking but motorized vehicles are prohibited in some areas.
At 2,140 feet above sea level, Dugger is the second highest mountain in Alabama. It is also part of the Talladega National Forest in Cleburne County. In 2000, 9,200 acres of it were placed under the protection of the federal Wilderness Act. Hiking, fishing and camping is still allowed in those acres, but motorized vehicles are not. The act protects the forest growth and endangered plants in the area.
