This nature preserve includes 1.6 miles of trails and one of Madison County's largest waterfalls.
On a southern slope of Keel Mountain, two towering curtains of water roll down a broad, rocky bluff and then plunge into a gaping sinkhole. Known as Falling Sink Falls, this impressive feature has quickly made the Bethel Spring Nature Preserve a favorite destination for local hikers.
The Land Trust of North Alabama opened the Bethel Spring Nature Preserve in March of 2020, making it one of the newest trail systems in the Huntsville area. Located in Gurley, Alabama, southeast of Huntsville, the preserve covers 360 acres and includes 1.6 miles of trails that explore Keel Mountain and the old farmland near its base.
Many people visit the preserve to see the waterfalls. While hikers tackle some steep terrain to reach it, the trail is only about half a mile each way, so a wide range of people manage to make the trip. But the falls aren’t the only attraction at Bethel Spring. While this isn’t one of the largest preserves in the Huntsville area, it has something to offer for just about everyone, whether you’re an experienced hiker, a casual walker, a trail runner, or someone seeking a place to walk with kids. Those who prefer mellow terrain can walk two trails near the base of the mountain. One is the Bethel Creek Loop Trail, which has a gravel surface to accommodate people of all ability levels. The second level path is the Carpenter Trail, which is mostly dirt, but includes a boardwalk that allows people with mobility issues to visit the remains of a historic springhouse.
Hikers who want more of a challenge and a view of the waterfall can follow the rugged Falling Sink and Mill trails, which snake their way up and down Keel Mountain. In addition to offering a variety of hikes, Bethel Spring gives its visitors a glimpse of pioneer history, as the preserve is home to a spring and the remains of a mill dating to the 1800s.
Opmerkingen