Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maps: USGS Huntsville, AL; DeLorme: Alabama Atlas & Gazetteer, page 19 D8;
free trail maps available at park office
Trail contact: Monte Sano State Park, 5105 Nolen Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801;
(256) 534-3757; www.alapark.com/montesano
Finding the trailhead: From Huntsville on I-565 take exit 21, Maysville Road NE.
Head south on Maysville Road NE 1.4 miles and turn left onto Pratt Avenue NE.
Travel 2.7 miles and turn right onto Fearn Street NE. Travel 0.7 mile and turn left
onto Nolen Avenue SE. Follow Nolen Avenue SE 0.7 mile to the entrance gate,
where you'll pay your day-use fee. Continue straight on Nolen Avenue SE 0.4
mile. Come to a Y in the road and take the right fork. The hikers' parking lot will
be immediately on your right. GPS: N34 44.619' / W86 30.670'
The Hike
Once again we pay a visit to Monte Sano State Park, which is located on the out-
skirts of Huntsville high atop its namesake mountain. Monte Sano Mountain is a
limestone formation jutting over 1,400 feet above sea level. The mountain was
formed some 65 to 150 million years ago when the entire region, then under a vast
ocean, was thrust upward. The receding ocean left behind much of the marine life
to fossilize, which created the limestone formations of the area.
This geologic period, known as the Pennsylvanian age, also left behind large
outcroppings of rock that can be seen around the flat plateau of the mountain.
These outcroppings and bluffs are what form the route of this hike, the South Plat-
eau Loop.
The trail will take you around the flat plateau within 30 to 50 feet of the bluffs,
with some good views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Several short
side trails lead to the bluffs for these overlooks, but heed the warnings: These are
dangerous high bluffs, so use extreme caution.
Besides geologic history, Monte Sano has some interesting, and more recent,
history. Monte sano is a Latin term that means “mountain of health.” In the early
1800s, with outbreaks of yellow fever, cholera, and malaria ever increasing, this
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