Devils Racetrack

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildflowers

This hike takes visitors on a nice easy warm-up before climbing up to the Devils Racetrack loop. The trail is generally wooded, with a few open sections. If you want a workout, you can push the pace on the uphill to get your heart pumping. Once around the loop at Devils Racetrack, its an easy cruise back down to the trailhead.

Trails may be closed after rain. Be aware of ticks and snakes.

From the Spragins Hollow Trailhead, start on the easy Piney Loop Trail. This is a short trail that partially runs through a small stand of pine trees. The trail doesn't feature much climbing and the only difficult part of it are the occasional roots or rocks. It should be noted, that as you get toward the end of the trail, the number of rocks increases.

From the Piney Loop Trail, continue onto the Devil's Racetrack Trail for the main climb. Along this stretch, you may notice several spur trails off the main path and the Rock Wall Trail branching off to the right; ignore these and stick to the main, marked path. At just over 1.5 miles, the trail climbs up to a loop of Devils Racetrack--a group of large limestone boulders.

At this point, can take the loop either way around this high point, and there are a couple nice view north toward Huntsville. At the furthest most point of the loop, you'll come to a wide, power line clear cut. Enjoy the unobstructed view before finishing out the loop and heading back down to the trailhead the way you came.