Outdoors - Vulcan Trail

Vulcan Trail is the best walking venue in Birmingham. Located under Vulcan Park, home of Birmingham’s cast iron God of forge and fire, it features some of the best free views of the city. All of downtown and much of the surrounding area is visible from vantages stretching the length trail. The path is paved and marked at each quarter mile, running a full mile in one direction. The trail can become crowded at times, especially in the early evening and on weekends when the weather is comfortable, but this can be avoided by going later in the evening or during midmorning hours before lunch. This is a dog-friendly trail, with plenty to keep the pooch occupied on the walk. Most bring leashes for their dogs but let their dogs wander if there aren’t many people around; only a few leave their leashes and manners at home. With the smell of Dreamland barbeque in the air and the occasional party at the Club or Vulcan Park’s reception center serenading the walker with soft music and loud laughter, you never entirely leave the city behind and the added ambiance in the midst of the natural surroundings only increases the uniqueness of this trail.

To visit the park, take I-65 or Red Mountain Expressway/US 31 to University Boulevard. Turn south on Twentieth Street and travel through Five Points South. Merge with Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard and head up the hill towards Vulcan. Parking is located to the right off Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard about a mile south of Five Points in the shadow of Vulcan.

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