Rock Garden Trail is a 1.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lineville, Alabama that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Cheaha State Park charges a fee to enter. Fees are $5 per adult, $2 senior/child, and military/veterans free with ID.
February 21, 2021February 21, 2021February 10, 2021This is arguably the best view on the entire trail and this is including the observation tower on the summit. The views here across the Talladega National Forest area superb. The boulders and rock formations also make the area even more interesting and spectacular. My only complaint is the blue trail markers are too frequent in number, but I can understand and respect their reasoning in caution. As others have mentioned, it’s steep, rocky, lots of tree roots, some downed trees and deep gullies from runoff and erosion. However, the trail is completely manageable if you’re in moderate to decent shape and are up for some fun. This trail is fun, so enjoy it.
January 3, 2021
November 26, 2020We brought the dog and she almost overheated because it’s so steep. I’d say it’s good for hiking but not a running trail and not easy. Beautiful views at the top and definitely worth the climb.
October 25, 2020October 25, 2020Trail is very steep, my recording messed up on the way up so this is only the way down. It had rained the day before the hike making it rather slippery. I was very glad I took my trekking poles.
October 7, 2020October 7, 2020September 30, 2020Trail was great....very steep.....lots of trees down......but the views are worth the work
September 6, 2020Great day hike with the family! Views you won’t see any where else in Alabama!
August 17, 2020Awesome hike. Amazing view!
August 8, 2020April 24, 2020HARD. Extreme incline. My kids handled it fine but they’re wiped. I need some compression on my knees! Beautiful, though!!
March 1, 2020this trail was AWESOME but definitely not easy! steep incline up but definitely worth the climb. crazy pretty view.
February 17, 2020You will see the glory of god when you hike this trail from start to finish. When you reach the top you can see for many miles. It’s a steep one, & bit more difficult then you would think. Trees are down & you have to go under & over them, some steep rocks have to be climbed as well. You will not end up at the rock garden when you finish this hike. At the very end of this hike there is a sign saying the rock garden is another .7 miles. It will take an inexperienced hiker hours to get to the top of this trail, even though it’s 1.4 miles, but coming down will take about 20 min.
May 5, 2019Beautiful spot, go after a good rain to see seasonal Ange Falls.
March 19, 2019Very cool trail that gets steep and remains steep very quickly. I would say this is the most fun trail to use to get to the tallest point in Alabama as it’s only .5 mile away from the turnaround point. The trail is very well marked with blue paint and has some great views towards the top. Overall amazing route that is somewhat strenuous but very rewarding.
February 7, 2019First hike I’ve COMPLETED with the elevation over 400. Difficult but me and my pup felt super accomplished afterwards. I see why they call it rock garden. Literally a bunch of rocks haha. Great hike!
February 2, 2019Parked at the lake. $5 per person. Started thru the woods on the Blue trail. Within the first few minutes the trail begins to climb. The last 1/3 Mile is very steep. Easy but steep. Got to the top and then passed some cabins and walked the road to the highest point sign. Had a nice picnic in one of the empty primitive camp sites on the way back down. Very fast to get back down. Creek was running the whole trail so the sound was lovely. Very good leg workout. Great day with my bride.
January 18, 2019A steep climb, but not that difficult. My wife did it while 5 months pregnant. Cheaha lake is a nice place during the summer with plenty of family fun in the warmer months. Everything you need there with a camp ground right across the road.
October 11, 2018Tackled this one with Venture Crew 749 because it was adjacent to our campsite. The views at the top are well worth the climb. We particularly liked the overlook near the top where we could look down at the lake far below.
August 13, 2018Very fun trail even at only 1.4 miles. The steep climb to the top will let you know what kind of shape you're in and the views are nice, I enjoy it every time I hike it.
February 19, 2018My wife and I are wanting to get into hiking. Got this app and found this trail and read the reviews. The trail is rated easy but as beginners we found it to be challenging. The trail itself is well marked and pretty well traveled. However, it was very very steep in certain places. Guess we are really out of shape. LOL! Although it is short the steepness should make it moderate. The view at the top though was well worth the hike. Cool waterfall and scenic views! We will definitely hike it again.
August 2, 2017My husband and I just did this. We are both inexperienced and little out of shape. It was perfect for us. Gets a little steep but nothing too bad. The view at the top is worth it.
