William B. Bankhead National Forest Caney Creek Gorge Technical Loop

Caney Creek Gorge cuts the deepest slash through Bankhead National Forest, and this technical loop puts you right in the heart of it via a series of unmarked forest roads and creek bottom routes. The trail drops off Forest Road 208 near the old CCC camp ruins, immediately plunging into a boulder-strewn creek bed that becomes your highway for the next four miles. You’ll navigate through house-sized limestone blocks, technical ledges that’ll scrape your rocker panels, and at least six legitimate creek crossings where a wrong line means you’re swimming. The gorge walls tower 200 feet above, creating an otherworldly cathedral of stone and water.

This is expert-level wheeling that demands lockers, armor, and a recovery plan. The 8-mile loop typically takes 6-8 hours, and that’s if nothing breaks. Spring melt makes the creek impassable, so stick to late summer through fall when water levels drop. You’ll find some of Alabama’s most spectacular camping spots along the rim once you climb out, but pack everything you need — the nearest services are 30 miles away in Double Springs. This isn’t about the destination; it’s about proving your rig can handle Alabama’s gnarliest technical challenge.