Check out Jefferson County's Red Rock Trail System for 120 miles of fun

Did you know Jefferson County has over 120 miles of trails for biking, hiking, jogging, and walking?

Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash

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The Red Rock Trail System now includes bike lanes, sidewalks, parks, and trails in their network of recreational areas. As part of a grant for healthy living in Birmingham, the Red Rock Trail System has grown every year since 2010 and seeks to connect communities across Jefferson County through greenways and street-based trails.

Following the natural ridges and waterways of the county’s natural geography, the Red Rock Trail System can be divided into six corridors. As it continues to grow, the plan is to include over 200 miles of greenways and trails as well as over 600 miles of street-based pathways that will connect the six corridors together, creating an infrastructure that will promote an active lifestyle for Jefferson County citizens.

Types of trails included in the system are:

Natural trails: Trails for multi-use with a natural surface found off-road.
Greenways: Also off-road, these trails have man-made surfaces.
Streets: Follow bike lanes and sidewalks along city streets which are designated for all users.
Bike lanes: Paved lanes designated for biking only.
Sharrows: Shared spaces for both bikes and cars.

For a map of all the trails, check out Freshwater Land Trust’s interactive map HERE.

Photo by William Hook

Now is a great time to get out of the house and take advantage of these great outdoor spaces, however, it would be best to follow the latest safety recommendations from local, state, and federal agencies to protect your health. In order to maintain social distancing, please note that if a trail seems busy or the parking lot is crowded, it may be best to come back another time.

The Freshwater land Trust recommends trying its listing of some of the Trails Less Traveled for optimal social distancing. Check it out and find your favorite!