Looking for a furrific place to take your four legged hiking buddy? Then Grab the leash and head over to the Wade Mountain Nature Preserve. The pawsome trail system here winds through 843 acres of beautiful terrain, so your pooch will have plenty of room to roam.
The network is made up of 11 miles of trails that weave throughout the preserve. They range from under a half a mile up to two miles. Choose one that best suits your pup’s energy level. It’s possible to create a loop by combining some of the trails.Â
If you begin your hike at the Spragins Hollow
Trailhead, be prepared for a sharp incline right out of the gate. The Devil’s
Racetrack Trail darts up the side of a limestone outcropping, then levels off once
you reach the top. At the summit, your pooch can soak in the sweeping views and
sniff through the tall grass and wildflowers. A few other trails diverge from
Devil’s Racetrack. They aren’t as steep and are worth checking out since they
lead to some cool caves.
The Wade Mountain Trailhead is located on the western
edge of the preserve on Pulaski Pike. From here, you can cross the relatively flat Wade
Mountain Greenway before connecting with the other trails. If your doggo wants
to see some waterfalls, hop on the Bostick Trail. Cotton Valley Trail passes a
few marshes, or you can traverse the mountain’s summit on Wade Mountain Trail.
Basically, you can’t go wrong while hiking in the preserve.
Before setting off, make sure your water bottles are
filled to the brim. You and your pup will definitely need some water breaks
while on your adventure. Don’t forget to bring clean up bags, and some trail
snacks wouldn’t hurt. Make no mistake; your furry friend will go mutts over
these trails!