By Tanner Hood

“Alabama the Beautiful.”

For decades, signs bearing those three well-known words welcomed travelers to Alabama. 

Today, the oft-repeated phrase pays homage to the diverse landscapes and ecosystems showcased during the Years of Alabama Trails. This initiative between the Alabama Trails Foundation, the Alabama Department of Tourism, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) and other stakeholders shines a spotlight on some of the state’s hidden jewels, said Joe Watts.

“There are so many great trails that are an important part of our state, so this covers a couple of years,” said Watts of the Alabama Trails Foundation. “We work with Tourism to highlight the best trails while showcasing lesser-known spots.”

Connecting in- and out-of-state visitors to Alabama’s rural communities is a project priority, Watts said.

“Alabama has so many natural resources, and while some residents are aware of that, others are not,” he said. “We’re trying to educate people about what is in their backyard and inspire people to experience Alabama in a way they may not have realized was even out there. It’s also to let people from outside the state know what we have and increase their economic footprint, which is where Tourism really plays a big role.”

The initiative’s impact on rural communities extends beyond recreation, Watts said.

“This can be a very impactful piece of the rural economic puzzle,” he said. “There are communities that can build an economic base using the recreation industry. Having a strong recreation infrastructure brings people to invest in Alabama.”

That’s where organizations like AFC come in.

“This is a chance to showcase the natural beauty of Alabama and let people see what great opportunities there are in this state to go outside and enjoy the forests, rivers, mountains, valleys and prairies,” said Alabama State Forester Rick Oates. “We also partner with other groups such as the Trails Foundation to make improvements on properties owned and supported by AFC.”

Such improvements are evident at places like Coosa County’s Flagg Mountain, the Southern terminus for the Pinhoti Trail. As a gateway to the Appalachian Trail, the park draws visitors from across the nation to one of Alabama’s most rural counties. Features like wheelchair accessibility, natural stone benches and a low handrail make Flagg Mountain accessible to everyone.

Getting into nature benefits all — even farmers who already spend most of their time outdoors, Watts noted.

“There is something to be said about experiencing different parts of Alabama,” he said. “Putting one foot in front of the other on a trail is a different way to experience nature and a way to see new parts of the state.”