Coosa River Iron Ore Heritage Trail

This scenic route traces the footsteps of Alabama’s iron ore industry, following historic mining roads through the rolling hills east of Birmingham toward the Georgia border. The trail connects multiple Civil War-era blast furnace sites, including the well-preserved Oxford Furnace ruins and the massive stone foundations at Irondale. Red Mountain’s iron ore seams are visible throughout the route, where decades of strip mining created terraced hillsides now reclaimed by second-growth forest. The most interesting section follows an 1800s railroad grade along the Coosa River, where rusted mining equipment still sits abandoned in the woods.

This easy to moderate trail is accessible to stock high-clearance vehicles, though a few muddy creek crossings and steep clay sections benefit from 4WD during wet conditions. The route is best explored in fall when hardwood forests explode in color, framing the red iron ore outcrops. No permits required, and several riverside camping spots offer excellent base camps for exploring the area’s mining heritage. Bring a camera—the contrast between Alabama’s industrial history and natural beauty makes for compelling photography. Plan a full day to properly explore the furnace sites and interpretive markers.