Cheaha: A Little Bit of Everything

By: Deanna Jones, JSU Student (2011-2015)

Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.  ~Faith Baldwin, American Family

Devil's Den

Cheaha State Park located in Clay and Cleburne County, Alabama offers their visitors “a little bit of everything”.  The park is surrounded by the Talladega National Forest and is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains which is named the highest point in Alabama. Cheaha is 2,407 ft. above sea level and got its name from the Creek Indians “Chaha” which means high place. The view of Cheaha can be described as breathtaking and is a place where hikers, bikers, and sightseers go to get their fill of the beautiful scenic Alabama. Cheaha has several trails located throughout the 2,799 acre park. The park houses the Cheaha Trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail, which connects with the Appalachian Trail and accesses the Odum Scout Trail, and the Chinnabee Silent Trail.

ADA Bald Rock Boardwalk Trail is a quarter-mile in length and is located near the Bald Rock Group Lodge. This trail offers a breathtaking view stretching halfway to Birmingham. The end of this trail has a 180 degree observation desk ideal for bird watching.

Bald Rock

The Doug Ghee Accessible Trail which leads to Bald Rock trail is wheelchair assailable. The 1520 ft. walkway had lots of benches to sit and take in the stunning scenery. This trail offers multiple side trails and some of them lead to wilder parts of the park.

Cheaha State Park

The Pulpit Trail is only a half mile long and is a steep decent down from Cheaha Mountain. This trail had a great view of Cheaha Lake and overlooks the Talladega National Forest. The Pulpit rock is a quartzite rock facing where many guests rappel and is great for the ones who don’t mind heights.

Chinnabee Silent Trail got its name because it was built from 1973-76 by the Boy Scout Troop 29 of the Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega. This trail connect to Lake Chinnabee and the Pinhoti Trail and is 6 miles in length. While hiking or biking this trail you run into a cross section connecting to Devils Den. The Chinnabee Recreation Area houses two popular waterfalls: The Devil’s Den and the Cheaha Falls.

If you’re tempted to go visit Cheaha don’t forget Saturday, September 26^th is the Cheaha Chili Cook Off!! Bring your appetites!!