Day Trip: Hike the Borden Creek Trail

We are lucky to live in an area that has a lot of great hiking options available within a short drive.
Some days though, you like to take a day trip for some hiking adventures.
A great option for this is the Borden Creek Hiking Trail (AKA Trail 200, that is important to note) in the Sipsey Wilderness near Double Springs, Alabama.

Trail 200

I would recommend downloading the All Trails app before you head out. It will help you not only find the trailhead, but also keep you from getting the lost.
The trail is fairly easy to follow, but it is unmarked so tracking yourself with GPS on a trail map can come in handy.
There are two ways to get to Trail 200, and I choose to start at the Borden Creek Trailhead. You could also start at the Sipsey River Recreation Area ($3 to park there).
Either way, it is an out and back trail that I highly recommend checking out.
The actual trail is 5 miles long, but you will be adding in a 15-minute walk on a gravel trail from where you park your car to where the actual trail starts.
That matters on the way back more when it is all uphill. Once the gravel ends there will be a bridge on your right, keep going straight and look for the 200 trail sign to get started.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Something I really liked about the trail is that it reminded me of those Choose Your Own Adventure books I read as a kid.
There are different paths that lead to the same spot.
If there are parts of the trail that are a bit tough to get through, there is usually an option to take a higher trail that goes around the trouble.
You won’t be walking long until you come to a small waterfall and what looks like the end of the trail. Keep going past the waterfall and into the cave. It is a short walk through the cave, but I would recommend bringing a flashlight and be prepared to get a little muddy.
There is also a tight squeeze in there that reminds me of the “Fat Man’s Squeeze” at Rock City in Chattanooga.
The rest of the trail is full of scenic views, sandstone cliffs, and wildlife.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!