Join us on Saturday, April 27th as we Celebrate Trails on the Chief Ladiga Trail!
The celebration was started by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in 2013 to encourage people nationwide to get outside and enjoy trails and trail systems. Trails and greenways create a support system for small businesses, and this is especially true for the Chief Ladiga Trail.
Trail organizations in east Alabama are teaming up with the communities of Anniston, Jacksonville, and Piedmont to host Celebrate Trails Day on the Chief Ladiga Trail for the second year in a row. We’re planning biking, hiking, and walking activities all along the trail. Everyone is encouraged to get outside and enjoy trails. Whether it’s through an organized event, experiencing the trail individually, or enjoying the trail with family and friends, be sure to get outside and enjoy Alabama!
In 2022, activities included a long and short bike ride on the Chief Ladiga Trail hosted by the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association, a hike on the Chief Ladiga and Pinhoti trails hosted by Wild Alabama, and a 100 Alabama Miles Challenge walking event hosted by Jacksonville Parks and Recreation. Pinhoti Pizza Company located along the Chief Ladiga Trail in Piedmont hosted a food truck rally and live music for hikers, bikers, walkers, and other community members to enjoy! Over 13,000 people participated in events across the United States. This year’s event will feature similar activities with even more options for participation!
Bikers at Michael Tucker Park in Anniston. Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association hosted a group ride from this location to Piedmont, AL in 2023.
Chief Ladiga Trail users at Ladiga Gardens in Jacksonville, AL.
The Chief Ladiga Trail is Alabama’s longest rail trail, currently beginning at Michael Tucker Park in Anniston and continuing to the Alabama-Georgia state line where it connects to the Silver Comet Trail. Combined, the Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet are one of the longest paved pedestrian paths in the nation. The Chief Ladiga intersects with the Alabama Pinhoti Trail, which is Alabama’s longest hiking trail, spanning 170+ miles across six counties before it connects to the Georgia Pinhoti Trail and eventually to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Collectively, east Alabama is the most “trail rich” area of the state. Current improvements to the Chief Ladiga Trail include an extension from Michael Tucker Park further into the City of Anniston, and repaving the section maintained by the City of Piedmont.
The Chief Ladiga Celebrate Trails Day event is a collaboration between the Alabama Trails Foundation, Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association, Pinhoti Pizza Company, Wild Alabama, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, and Jacksonville State University. The Rails to Trails Conservancy is supporting multiple events like this across the country.
We look forward to seeing you on the Chief Ladiga Trail as we Celebrate Trails!
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