Larkwood Falls added to North Alabama Waterfall Trail

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 30, 2024

With summertime upon us, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association announces an expansion to the Waterfalls of North Alabama Trail. Larkwood Falls in Cullman is one of 13 new stops that have been added, bringing the total up to 27.

Larkwood Falls runs from Lake Catoma located in the back of the Larkwood community in Cullman. According to the brochure: “The waterfall is seasonal. During North Alabama’s wet season, winter and spring, a great view of the waterfall is accessible on Larkwood Drive NE. There is no hiking required to see this waterfall.”

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The updated and expanded Waterfalls of North Alabama brochure spotlights 27 different waterfalls scattered throughout the north Alabama region. Along with a brief description, the 12-page colorful brochure provides a map, GPS coordinates, best times for viewing and other travel advice and also indicates waterfalls that are handicap accessible.

Since its launch in 2019, the Waterfalls of North Alabama Trail has introduced local and visitors to 14 natural wonders. More than 180,000 brochures with information on the 14 destinations have been distributed.

“The 16 counties of the North Alabama region are home to dozens and dozens of waterfalls and we thought why limit it to 14 spots,” said AMLA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications Karen Beasley. “After careful consideration, 27 must see locations were handpicked for you to awe over. We hope by expanding the trail, more people will be inspired to visit, and that it will also encourage those that have already visited to come again and enjoy these additional cascading beauties.”

Visit northalabama.org/places-to-visit/trails/waterfalls/ to sign up for the trail on a mobile device. The passport is instantly delivered to the device via text and email and is ready to use immediately. There is no app to download. The pass can be saved to the mobile device’s home screen for easy one-tap access.

Along with Larkwood Falls, these locations have been added to the trail:

Sougahoagdee Falls

Located in Bankhead National Forest, this waterfall is a four mile round trip moderate hike. There are no official trails to Sougahoagdee, typically only a worn path. The hike to this waterfall follows striking cliff faces and a beautiful nearby river. Along this hike are several other streams and waterfalls.

Lost Sink Falls

Lost Sink Falls on Keel Mountain is a 3-mile round trip moderate hike to an incredibly unique waterfall in Gurley. Along the hike, the trail is lined by a beautiful creek and rock formations. Lost Sink Falls is a sinkhole waterfall and disappears into a cave making it a jaw dropping hike.

Congo Falls

Congo Falls is located inside the Congo Nature Preserve bordering Little River Canyon along Cherokee County Road 43. No hiking is required to see this waterfall.

Mize Mill Falls

Mize Mill Falls is located in Bankhead National Forest. This enchanting area is covered in luscious green moss and evergreen trees. There are two ways to get to the falls but no official, marked trail. One is a difficult short hike and the other is a moderate two-mile round trip hike.

Shangri-La Falls

Located deep in Bankhead National Forest is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by luscious green trees, falling into a gorgeous pool of blue water. The hike is three miles roundtrip and is moderate for most of the hike. It can be difficult getting into and out of the canyon. This waterfall is seasonal and the best time to visit is in the winter or spring.

White Creek Falls

White Creek Falls is located in Bankhead National Forest and is a difficult five mile round trip hike. White Creek Falls has an upper and lower waterfall. The upper waterfall is a shorter waterfall with a unique heart-shaped pool also known as the “Valentines Pool.” The lower waterfall is much taller and settles into an impressive canyon.

Dry Falls

Dry Falls is located in Huntsville on the Monte Sano Nature Preserve owned by the Land Trust of North Alabama. While there are several ways to arrive at the waterfall, the recommended way is to park at 3 Caves parking lot and follow Waterline Trail. Along this trail is 3 Caves (an old limestone quarry) and a heavily wooded trail. This waterfall is very dependent on recent rain.

Parker Falls

Parker Falls, located in Bankhead National Forest, is a four mile round trip moderate hike. There is no official trail to Parker Falls, but there is typically has a worn path. Along this hike, the trail meanders through a beautiful pine forest and passes several beautiful waterfalls before making it to Parker Falls.

Walls of Jericho

Walls of Jericho is a part of Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust. This hike is seven miles round trip and is rated difficult. The trail is lined with woods, springs, caves, bluffs and rivers. At the end is a beautiful swimming hole with a small waterfall. Continuing upstream is a cave with a river flowing from it as well as another larger waterfall.

Alum Hollow Trail

This 30-foot tiered waterfall at Alum Hollow is a three mile round trip easy hike located on Green Mountain Nature Preserve. Around the corner from the falls is Alum Cave, a rock shelter used during the Middle Woodland period as well as another smaller waterfall.

Griffin Falls

Griffin Falls is located on a cliff near Collinsville. This is a short, less than one mile hike and is rated difficult. Located here is a charming downhill stream with a giant rockface and beautiful tall waterfall. During the winter there are amazing views of the surrounding area.

The new Waterfalls of North Alabama brochure is available for download at northalabama.org/plan-your-visit/request-brochures/, may be picked up at the AMLA office located at 402 Sherman Street SE in Decatur or may be requested by calling 800-648-5381.

Yellow Creek Falls

Yellow Creek Falls is located on Weiss Lake in Leesburg. This waterfall requires a short trip across the lake, which is accessible by boat, canoe, or kayak and a short hike. Yellow Creek Falls is a 100-foot waterfall and is surrounded by beautiful rocky terrain.