ruffner mountain nature preserve

wizard_chef

This reprieve from city life lies just a few miles from the city center of Birmingham. With its walking trails and overlooks, it is a gem of place to get away from the rush of the city. The trails are well maintained with the new visitor’s center are a well-kept secret outside the community of hikers and naturalists in Birmingham.

hollyi772

They have a learning center as well as many hiking trails! The trails were my favorite part! Great views! There is also geocache!

Beckyone

A beautiful area with lots of nature. The trails are not well marked or easy to follow. Signs give minimum directions. Printed maps are available at the Visitor Center. Free admission and free parking.

794SarahH

I love the natural grasses and native landscaping in the middle of a city!! I am a little confused that some comments were negative and thinking that the area had "fallen on hard times"???? Obviously, some folks do not get out much! The grassy area and plants are deliberate and add a natural feel to the more modern/woodsy architecture of the NEW buildings! Weird how someone could confuse new with old??? Anyway, the real treat is the history/trails and finding treasures like the quarry (you can see for miles) and remnants of Birmingham's mining past hidden in the forest! So much fun!

TinaN522

Two of my granddaughters (sisters, both born in August) celebrated their birthdays with a party at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. The party was held in the "Tree House" building. The party space included a large room with plenty of tables and chairs, and a small attached kitchen area with sink, refrigerator, etc. It also had two exits: one onto a lovely deck area and the other to the main building where various animals were displayed (snakes, fish, turtles) and where the gift shop and other interesting items were located.The party included a petting, learning time with some of the animals: snake, owl, "flying" squirrel. The kids - and the adults - enjoyed it and the presenter was great with the kids. It also included an outdoor scavenger hunt which gave everyone an opportunity to experience some of the hiking trails and pretty natural scenery.The staff could not have been more courteous and helpful. If you want an interesting and different venue for a birthday party, check it out. I think you'll enjoy the experience.Link: http://ruffnermountain.org/

mpotter13

My husband, daughter, and I really enjoyed this lovely shaded hike.It was about 4 miles round-trip to the top and back, and my 6yo daughter did it with out any complaint. It is listed as a "moderate" hike, and that surprised me.There isn't much incline overall, and when you get to the top, you have a nice view of the city below.A great excursion for exercise!

BCM1000

We attended a children's birthday party here, and it was a fun location for a party. The kids got to go on a hike and the staff brought animals out for a little petting zoo. There's a great pavilion that really helped with the intense sun the day we were there.This park has undergone renovations recently and is really lovely.

GalaW441

I was surprised to find such a wooded area in a city. A nice walk/hike to the overlooks to see views of the Birmingham skyline and of the quarries where iron ore used to be mined. There are several paths to hike- one includes an ore crusher from the mining days. Be sure to bring something to drink especially on a warm day!

RhondaA60

This park is very close to town and in the middle of a neighborhood. The trails are very nice and of all levels of difficulty. There is a visitors center with bathrooms, gift shop, vending machines and trail maps. The trails are well marked and even though the park is near town, if you "unplug" yourself from earphones you can here the birds, the train in the distance and the peace and quiet of the forest. I really enjoyed the loop trails that all connect so you don't have to come back the same way if you want. The biggest drawback is the lack of signage to get there! I can't begin to tell you how many times I get lost! Yes I have a cell phone but was by myself so hard to read the phone and drive! I recommend this to all nature lovers. Birds all over!!

267jimn

I first visited the center shortly after moving from Montgomery to my loft downtown. I've known of the center for a few years and many friends have told me what how much they enjoyed hiking here but I just had no idea until I saw it for myself. It is beautiful and I recently learned that it is larger than Central Park! A huge natural preserve so close to the city and surrounding burbs.The trails are marked based on difficulty/length. We took the longest route the first time and as the day heated up, we realized we were a little out of shape but it wasn't bad at all. Funny observation: every time we asked someone coming from the opposite direction how much further... They would say, "about ten-fifteen minutes" -no matter where we were. I'm a fast walker and trust me, it wasn't 10-15 minutes from anywhere. It I as always a fun walk, hike, or run depending on what you want yo do. The center itself has some neat and educational displays. As I recall, you can buy something to drink and vending machine type snacks are available.

brianop

I had never been to Birmingham before and I was looking forward to having a day to explore the city and what it has to offer. I had read about the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, so I went there in the early afternoon, hoping to do some hiking. The Nature Center and the visitor's facilities, near the parking lot, all looked like they had seen better days, and the displays of live creatures, indigenous to the area, in the Nature Center were pretty depressing. I was turned off by the appearance of the Nature Center, and I ended up not exploring the Ruffner Mountain trails that afternoon.

WillC744

This is our favorite hiking area because it is so close to town.It is located just East of the airport. There is good parking and a lovely Nature Pavilion. There is a moderate 300 foot climb at the beginning of the trail. You can then hike an easy 4 mile loop that has spectacular views of Birmingham and the country side.You will hike north along a long ridge and empties into a large quarry with cliffs and beautiful vistas. These trails are rarely busyAnd are quite easy to hike.

kn081083

Its unbelievable to know that:1.Its a private-owned preserve 2.that much extensive greenery and the natural hike trails are next door to the downtown birmingham.Beautiful place for a hike. The neighborhood leading to the park as such might raise an eye-brow but trust me, the ride is worth it all. Acres and Acres of untouched foliage and trails that are totally canopied by trees, is a welcome relief from everyday busy schedules. I personally would not want to go there closer to sundown time, as even in broad daylight, the trails dont see much of sunlight. But,if you are in bham and want to take a peaceful hike close to nature, this is your place!!

docLosAltos_CA

I did not expect such an extensive park so close to downtown Birmingham. This park is near the airport. Coming from the San Francisco bay area where there is lot of open space, I was happy to see this so close to the city center. I wish I had the time to do lot more hiking. We were on a very long trip. Surprised that there were not many locals enjoying the beauty.

78PatS

The Nature Center has a Naturalist on staff, and they know how to tailor their information to adults or youth.