The Talladega National Forest is located in the U.S. state of Alabama and covers 392,567 acres (613.39 sq mi, or 1,588.66 km) at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains .
6-467: Before it was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area that composes the Talladega was extensively logged and represented some of the most abused, eroded wastelands in all of Alabama. Pine forest regrowth now hosts a diverse eco-system. The tiny 7,400 acre (30 km) Cheaha Wilderness preserves a portion of this natural wealth on Talladega Mountain. The forest's second wilderness area,
12-496: Is physically separated into two areas, and divided into three Ranger Districts: The forest covers parts of eleven counties in Alabama. In descending order of forest land area they are Cleburne , Clay , Bibb , Talladega , Perry , Hale , Calhoun , Chilton , Tuscaloosa , Cherokee , and Dallas counties. [1] Cheaha Wilderness The 7,245-acre (2,932 ha) Cheaha Wilderness lies next to Cheaha State Park , near
18-496: The Dugger Mountain Wilderness , protects the area around Alabama's second-highest mountain peak. Indigenous animals inhabiting this forest include coyote , black bear , white-tailed deer , two species of fox , bobwhite quail , two species of squirrel , turkey , rabbit , raccoon , and various waterfowl. Talladega National Forest is home to several threatened, endangered, and sensitive species including
24-541: The seepage salamander , eastern spotted skunk , and the red-cockaded woodpecker . The critically endangered american chestnut has also been found in the Talladega National Forest. This forest is headquartered in Montgomery , as are all four of Alabama's National Forests. The other National Forests in the state are Conecuh , Tuskegee , and William B. Bankhead . The Talladega National Forest
30-600: The Cheaha Wilderness attracts hikers to its section of the Pinhoti Trail This stretch of the trail runs from northeast to southwest across the entire Wilderness, a distance of about 10 miles (16 km). Primarily following a ridge system through Talladega National Forest , the Pinhoti crosses the top of Cheaha Mountain. In total, the 100-mile (160 km) long Pinhoti Trail passes through both
36-782: The Talladega Mountains in Alabama , United States . It lies within the Talladega National Forest and is administrated by the US Forest Service . Congress designated the area on January 3, 1983 and expanded it in 1988. From the stone tower on the summit of Cheaha Mountain , Alabama's highest point at 2,407 feet (734 m), a dense second-growth woodland stretches south across Cheaha State Park and into Cheaha Wilderness. Best known for its elevated terrain and overlooks with panoramic views,
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