Northeast Alabama
The Trail
Nearly 40 miles from Anniston to the Alabama-Georgia state line. Alabama’s first and longest rail trail — and the land it runs through.
39.5
Miles
1990
Trail opened
105+
Miles to Atlanta
2009
Hall of Fame
Interactive Map
Hover the trail towns to see historical notes.
Along the Route
- —
Anniston
Southern anchor of the trail. Home of the 2025 Amtrak extension proposal.
- —
Weaver
Residential community along the corridor. Weaver Elwell Park trailhead.
- —
Jacksonville
Built on Ladiga's personal allotment. The $2,000 sale of 1833. Jacksonville State University sits here.
- —
Piedmont
Trail's origin point (1990 Land and Water Conservation Grant). Chief Ladiga is buried nearby.
- —
Georgia Line
Connects to the Silver Comet Trail — 105+ miles of continuous rail trail into suburban Atlanta.
Rail to Trail
How the Trail Came to Be
The railroad that eventually ran through this corridor was built through former Creek territory after removal. The line operated for generations, then sat idle. In 1990, the City of Piedmont received a Land and Water Conservation Grant to purchase the abandoned rail bed. The Chief Ladiga Trail opened in stages over the following years.
In 2009, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy inducted the Chief Ladiga Trail into its Hall of Fame. At the far end, the trail connects to the Silver Comet Trail at the Georgia state line — more than 105 miles of continuous paved rail trail running into suburban Atlanta.
His name is on the signs at every trailhead. His people built no railroad. His people were removed so one could be built.