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About Us

AHTS was established on September 17th, 2001 as 501 c (3) non-profit corporation. We actually began this journey with a meeting in Dothan, AL, on July 20, 2001, at the Army National Guard Armory. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Tim Spivey, M.J. 'Eb' Eberhart, and Rick Guhse' watched this incredible meeting unfold. The following day another group met in Andalusia at the library. Later that morning we elected our first state officers with Sgt. Tim Spivey as President.

We began a state hiking organization with a dream and a clear vision of what a hiking trail system could be in Alabama. While there had been and still are regional organizations promoting hiking and in some cases multi-use trails, the Alabama Hiking Trail Society promotes a wilderness footpath from the Florida National Scenic Trail on the AL-FL state line in the Conecuh National Forest to connect to the Pinhoti Trail at Flagg Mountain. Equally important the Society promotes a connected hiking trail system throughout the state. 

This is what sets us apart. Our goal is statewide. We don't want to leave any county out. We propose to achieve our goals by building trails locally where we live always with the idea in mind that at sometime in the future our local trails will one day connect to a statewide trail system. This is important because through achieving these goals we promote the concept of a Greenway wilderness corridor system where not only people are free to roam long distances but larger species of wildlife will have freedom to roam throughout the state. In promoting Greenway wilderness corridors we protect and preserve wilderness for future generations. With the demand for development increasing with America's ever increasing population we must act now to have wilderness for Alabama's future generations. 

Our Members are the pioneers who have grasped this vision and know what it means. Future generations will thank you even though they never met you because you invested your time, your sweat and your money in their future. And we all had a good time doing it.

What we do.

AHTS members take on the task of maintaining current trails in our charge including clearing blowdowns, brush, re-blazing, and more, so that the public can safely use the trail. In addition, we create new trail under the guidance of our partnering government and environmental agencies to continue building the Alabama Trail, Eastern Continental Trail, and Great Eastern Trail. The ATS, ECT, and GET will be major long paths through Alabama and as such requires planning by dedicated individuals to identiry property owners, plan routes, and obtain required permissions.

What kind of hiking group would we be without hikes? Members throughout the state organize day hikes and backpacking trails throughout the year. There is always a hike in the works that will interest every hiker no matter what the age or hiking experience.

The AHTS is committed to educating the public about the benefits of hiking, especially the health benefits, and about the beauty of Alabama and how to protect its fragile environment. AHTS can provide speakers for your club or civic organization on a variety of topics from hiking and backpacking gear and tips to destinations to Leave No Trace practices and more.

AHTS will host events that brings together hikers, backpackers, and outdoor lovers to hear presentations on a variety of topics including hiking and backpacking, the environment, history, flora and fauna, and more.  If you have a location that would like to host, please let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Alabama Trail System (ATS) is a proposed series of interconnected trails throughout Alabama. The "backbone" of this system will be a long path, more the Alabama Trail, that will stretch from Fort Morgan on the Gulf to the Natchez Trace in northwest Alabama. Many of our trail maintenance projects such as at Little River State Forest, Geneva State Forest, etc., are the beginnings of this system. For a map and more information, please visit our Alabama Trail System page.

First hiked in 1997 by John Brinda, the ECT is the name of a 5,500-mile long path from Key West, FL, to Canada. The path is formed by connecting several major long paths along the east coast. These include more the Florida Trail, Alabama's Pinhoti Trail, Georgia's Pinhoti Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail, Appalachian Trail, and the International Appalachian Trail. Currently the major route between the Florida state line and the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama is roadwalk. The goal of AHTS it to get this section of the ECT in Alabama off the road and back into the woods. The Great Eastern Trail or GET is a new and developing long path that will stretch from the Alabama-Florida border to New York State and the Great Lakes. The proposed path more will use as much already existing trail as possible, connecting them with new trails as necessary. The goal of the path is to provide an alternate to the Appalachian Trail. Some of the paths planned for use include the Tuscarora Trail, the Mid State Trail in Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny Trail in West Virginia. For more information visit GreatEasternTrail.net.

AHTS members include many experienced hikers, backpackers, and lovers of the outdoors.  Many members enjoy talking about these topics to whomever is willing to listen!  Depending on availability, AHTS may be able to provide someone to speak to your organization on a wide variety of topics. Visit our CONTACT page to let us know your needs.  We want to help!

Visit our MEMBERSHIP page, choose the type of membership that best fits your needs, provide your contact and payment information, and that's it!

Yes, yes, and YES! There are plenty of volunteer opportunities such as trail work, trail planning, and MANY more! Once you join AHTS, we will send you information about our trail maintenance, trail building, and other events as they are planned.  Also, we will post those events on our EVENTS page.

AHTS is a non-profit organization and as such, we survive on the generosity of our members as well as non-members, agencies, and businesses that want us to continue are mission. Please click the Donation button at the top of our page to send AHTS a tax deductable contribution.

The media should contact the AHTS President for more information about AHTS and hiking in Alabama. Visit our CONTACT page to send us an email.

The AHTS partners with many state and federal agencies, hiking and trail groups, and environmental groups and organizations to accomplish our mission. Some of our partners include: Alabama Forestry Commission, American Hiking Society, American Trails, Forever Wild, Leave No Trace, Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Forest Service.

Officers

Bio for Nathan Wright

Nathan Wright

Outdoor enthusiast, long distance hiker (AT, Pinhoti), Owner- Pinhoti Outdoor Center

Bio for Jared Carter

Jared Carter

Conservation project manager, environmental educator, AT thru-hiker

Bio for Kimm Wright

Kimm Wright

Vice President Flagg Mt.

Bio for Kent Cooper

Kent Cooper

Vice President of Trail Development

Utilities Operator, Resolute Forest Products

Bio for Jim Abernathy

Jim Abernathy

Treasurer

Disability lawyer, Leave No Trace Trainer, avid day hiker, short distance backpacker (Smokies, Foothills trail), trail maintainer

Bio for Open Position

Open Position

Secretary

Board of Directors

{All Positions Open}

Accountability

Our members, donors and supporters are an integral element of our being able to fulfill our mission.  We share the information below so you can feel confident about your investment in the future of AHTS!

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, donations are deductible to the degree permitted by law.

Annual Report -- COMING SOON!