# Mountains (Alabama)

Mountains, aka North Alabama, is a region at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains known for its abundant natural beauty, including many caves, lakes, and waterfalls.

## Cities

* 34.987052-86.8432281 Ardmore
* 34.789722-86.9694442 Athens - the "chicken stew capital of the world."
* 34.327863-86.4986133 Arab
* 34.202793-86.1604574 Boaz
* 34.159181-85.6747425 Centre
* 34.093889-87.0630566 Crane Hill
* 34.1775-86.8447227 Cullman - home of the Ave Maria Grotto
* 34.605833-86.9833338 Decatur
* 34.151642-87.404399 Double Springs
* 34.930155-86.97708610 Elkmont - home of Belle Cheve Cheese
* 34.820278-87.66277811 Florence
* 34.453829-85.70664812 Fort Payne
* 34.348056-86.29444413 Guntersville
* 34.135305-87.9889814 Hamilton
* 34.73-86.58515 Huntsville - home of Marshall Space Flight Center
* 34.482307-87.28562116 Moulton
* 34.750833-87.65027817 Muscle Shoals - Alabama's Music capitol
* 33.942222-86.47888918 Oneonta
* 34.510344-87.72824819 Russellville
* 34.651368-86.0425720 Scottsboro
* 34.730839-87.70285421 Tuscumbia - Helen Keller's home
* Upshaw

## Other destinations

* 34.32508-87.451391 Sipsey Wilderness
* 34.81718-87.345482 Joe Wheeler State Park
* 34.54926-86.953633 Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
* 34.21872-87.341184 Bankhead National Forest
* 34.32607-87.78195 Dismals Canyon
* 34.09359-87.615026 Natural Bridge Park
* 34.74003-86.511827 Monte Sano
* 34.57374-86.221618 Cathedral Caverns
* 34.388006-86.200499 Lake Guntersville
* 34.47522-86.0458610 Bucks Pocket
* 34.40123-86.0656311 High Falls Park
* 34.49575-85.6271912 DeSoto State Park
* 34.38859-85.6249413 Little River Canyon
* 33.87495-86.8620214 Rickwood Caverns
* 34.98871-86.1032915 Walls of Jericho

## Get in

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) has direct flights from Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Washington DC, on American; Atlanta and Detroit on Delta; and Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Washington DC on United. Frontier Airlines started nonstop service from Huntsville to Denver and Orlando in October 2018. Silver Airways operates flights from Orlando. Other options include Northwest Alabama Regional Airport MSL.
Huntsville was once notorious for having some of the highest average fares in the United States. While the affordability of flying Huntsville has improved greatly, the reputation remains, and many locals and visitors still use the Nashville (BNA) or Birmingham (BHM) airport whenever flying into or out of North Alabama. Both airports are roughly 1½ hours away from Huntsville.

## Get around

As with much of the United States, access to a car is absolutely necessary to get around when visiting North Alabama. Huntsville's public bus system is not very extensive, and waits between buses have been known to reach up to an hour.
Despite the stereotypes surrounding Appalachia and the South in general, most roads in this part of the country are well maintained. Dirt roads are hard to find in the modern day, although unpaved gravel roads are somewhat more common. Due to the mountainous terrain in the northeast part of the state, a high clearance and/or 4-wheel drive vehicle may come in handy if visiting more rural areas.

## Do

* 34.102-86.58181 Spring Valley Beach Water Park (Blountsville). (updated Nov 2018)
* The Talladega Scenic Drive winds approximately 26 miles (40 km) along the backbone of the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The drive climbs to Cheaha Mountain and Cheaha State Park, the highest point in Alabama. In autumn, this drive bursts with color as the oak, maple, hickory, and persimmon change color. In spring, the dogwood and redbud are equally beautiful.

## Drink

Huntsville has a fast-growing craft beer industry.

## Stay safe

Huntsville has a very high crime rate for a city of its size. However, crime is highly concentrated in the areas of the city north of University Dr and west of I-565, areas which the average visitor has little reason to visit.
Venomous snakes such as the copperhead are present in the area, so be aware when hiking during the warmer months.