Alabama Biking-Guntersville State Park

Lake Guntersville is one of the most beautiful areas in Alabama. There is plenty to do a round the lake including biking, hiking, bird watching, photography, boating, canoeing, fishing, camping and many other activities.

I decided to take my bike to the park and ride early one summer morning in 2009
The Simp McKee Bain & Samuel Gordon Culbert Horse Trail is across from the old campgrounds on the town creek side. The first thing I did was stop at the office and got a map of the trail for about $.50!

The trail is located about ¼ mile from the store and directly across from the pavilion on 227. The parking lot is a large gravel lot, be sure to not park right in the middle and give the horse trailers plenty of room to turn around.

As soon as I got my gear on I was on my way up the trail to Sal's Hollow. The first thing I noted was the slippery gravel and steep incline, very bad combination! I decided to drop my tire pressure a few lbs to help get traction! After a brief fight with the hill on foot it was not too long till I got to the top! Beware of the steaming horse patties as you make your way!

Not only will you see horse patties but you will also come across a few logs down on the trail. There are also a few drop offs and some slippery rock! You will also run across some divots that have hardened and will be some really rough riding.

I spent a lot of time pushing my bike up the hills to Sal's Hollow. It was really hard to keep my bike up on the lose rock. The worst was when you get to Sal's, the trail cuts back to the right like a horseshoe and it is a lot of lose gravel all the way down. I would not recommend riding down unless you want to slide and crash.



Once you are down on the water it will look like a make shift camping area. Watch out for the poison, it is everywhere! This is where I decided to turn back and head back to the car! Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to climb out, it is a great workout!
It took me about 3 hours to ride to Sal's Hollow! I wanted to go further and will sure be back! Be sure to bring snack and water you will need it!



More coming soon.. riding the service roads at the park rock!