Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maps: USGS Irondale, AL;
DeLorme: Alabama Atlas & Gazetteer,
page 31 D7;
trail maps available at kiosk at trailhead
Trail contact: Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st St., Birmingham, AL
35206; (205) 833-8264; www.ruffnermountain.org
Finding the trailhead: From Birmingham at the intersection of I-65 and I-59/I-20,
take I-59/I-20 east 6.4 miles. Take exit 131 (Oporto Madrid Boulevard) and in 0.2
mile turn right onto 77th Street North / Oporto Madrid Boulevard. In 0.6 mile turn
left onto Rugby Avenue and travel 0.7 mile. Turn right onto 81st Street South and
in 0.4 mile you will arrive at the nature center. Drive past the visitor center. The
road will loop around past parking for special events, and you will come to anoth-
er parking lot on the uphill side near the gift shop / visitor center. The trailhead is
here on the south side of the parking lot. GPS: N33 33.516' / W86 42.429'
The Hike
Since 1977 the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center has been educating stu-
dents—and yes, parents, too—about nature. The center began with only 28 acres
of land along a ridge of Red Mountain called Ruffner Mountain. Today the center
encompasses over 1,000 acres of wetlands, hardwood forests, and, of course, hik-
ing trails—12 miles of hiking trails to be exact.
Since the beginning it has been the center's mission to connect people with
nature. From impressive educational programs for students and visitors alike to
passive recreational programs, Ruffner Mountain fosters an appreciation for
nature and living things in the busy metropolitan area. On any given weekend
there is a presentation of some sort going on (check the Nature Center's website
for times and dates).
Then there is the site's new Tree House and Back Porch Complex. The complex
is one of only six LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) build-
ings in the state, meaning that it has met certain high standards for energy effi-
ciency and sustainability. Inside the complex there is an information booth
manned by friendly and knowledgeable staff members and volunteers, and a series
of exhibits that will teach you about the mining history of the area. Also within
the complex is the Woodland Animal Exhibit Hall. Live animals and reptiles of
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