Visit Clay County Alabama

A place of mountain peaks and rolling valleys,
where deer and turkey roam the woods,
where streams and lakes are clear,
and mountain views are unobstructed by city skylines.
Welcome to our world. Sweet Home Clay County Alabama

Outdoor adventures abound in Clay County and the surrounding area. The Pinhoti Trail system weaves its way through the Talladega National Forest to Mt. Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. Hikers along the trail may spy some of the local wildlife, including whitetail deer, wild turkey, and the rare bald eagle.  Be sure and visit these websites to learn more: Pinhoti Trail system and the Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama.

In the shadow of Mt. Cheaha, anglers can try their luck at Clay County’s State Lake and nearby R.L. Harris Reservoir – also known as Lake Wedowee. Native wildlife is also abundant in the Hollins Wildlife Management Area in the southwest part of Clay County. And avid bicyclers can enjoy the challenge of mountain roads that afford scenic views of mountain, meadow and forest. Then we have the best kept secret in Alabama … the TSALAGI Trails.  Four unique road trips that take you through the back roads of Clay County and for some, to places you have only dreamed about.  Any one of the four TSALAGI Trails provides a great day trip from Birmingham, Montgomery, Columbus, LaGrange, or Atlanta. Click here to learn more about Clay County’s TSALAGI Trails.

When you leave the serenity of the woodlands, take a tour of the historic county courthouse on the Ashland Square. Built in 1906, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the highest elevation courthouse in the state of Alabama. The building is a classic example of Italian Renaissance architecture from the early twentieth century. The courthouse is home to a gallery of paintings depicting Clay County landmarks by local artists, a WWI arms display, and the Hugo Black Museum. Hugo Black was a native of Ashland who went on to become a U.S. Senator and Supreme Court Justice. Read more about Hugo Black – click here.

A short walk from the courthouse brings you to the antique and gift shops around the Ashland Square. Visit an old-fashioned soda fountain at the drug store or browse to your heart’s content. Antique shops also abound on Lineville’s Main Streets, a short drive from Ashland on Hwy 9. Stop along the way at one of the roadside cafes for a hearty, home-style meal.

Festivals are an important part of small town American life and Clay County Alabama loves its festivals, too.  The annual Clay County Music & Arts Festival is great fun for the whole family. Our county and surrounding counties are overflowing with talented musicians and artists who love to perform and show you their artwork. The festival takes over the Ashland Square with our music stage and lots of vendor booths lining the street. Plenty of food, fun, music and art to fill a full day.  So mark your calendar and make plans today to attend the 3rd Annual Clay County Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, May 16th, 2009 from 10 am until after dark.

Fall in Clay County Alabama is filled with warmth and color.  Peak leaf season is usually mid-October when the mountains turn red, gold and bright yellow. The leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the annual Heritage Days Festival in Lineville and the Alcazar Antique Car Show held on the first weekend in November.  Heritage Days is on Saturday and the Alcazar Show on Sunday.  In 2009, the dates are October 31st and November 1st. Make plans now to attend.

Recreation and southern hospitality abound in Clay County. And we want you to check us out for yourself. Clay County is located within easy driving distance of three major metro areas: Atlanta – 100 miles; Birmingham – 74 miles; and Montgomery – 83 miles. For more information about Clay County, continue to review this website and contact the Clay County Chamber of Commerce at 256-396-2828 or via email at claychamber@centurytel.net.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Clay County’s TSALAGI Trails

Clay County’s TSALAGI Trails

A WI – GANA – NO TSI – WA LO SI

Unique Road Trips Through The Back Roads of Clay County Alabama

The Best Kept Secret in Alabama

We wish to introduce you to the TSALAGI Trails (pronounced Ja-la-gee meaning Cherokee Trails) of Clay County Alabama. Four unique road trips that take you through the back roads of Clay County and for some, to places you have only dreamed about.  We are pleased to announce that these trails were featured in the November 2006 issue of Southern Living Magazine.  Click here to read the article, Off The Main Road, © 2006 Southern Living.

Clay County, as well as the whole State of Alabama, is rich with its American Indian influence in place names, rivers, creeks, even mountains. Just look around when your visit us.  Names like Wedowee, Talladega, Mt. Cheaha, all Indian names. Other names include Chinnabee, Tallapoosa, Ketchepedrakee, Wesobulga, Emukfaw, Enittachopco, Enitachopko, and Tallasseehatchee.

Any one of the four TSALAGI Trails provide a great day trip from Birmingham, Montgomery, Columbus, LaGrange, or Atlanta. Many who have already experienced the TSALAGI Trails call them the “Best kept secret in Alabama.”  Now, we want you to discover the secret, too.  All of the trails offer interesting scenery, plenty of photo opportunities and adventures you will share with family and friends and probably your grandchildren one day.

To review each trail’s route, click on the trail name below. Here you will find turn-by-turn directions.  We also offer for sale a full-color map that shows all four trail routes and the surrounding area. C ost is $3.00.  To order yours, contact the Clay County Chamber of Commerce at 256-396-2828 or send a check or money order for $3 to The Clay County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 85, Lineville, AL, 36266. Specify you want the TSALAGI Trail Map.  We thank you for your interest and order.

Go to the trail routes – click a trail:

GANA ( Ga-nah) Turkey
WA LO SI (Wa-low-see) Frog
NO TSI (No-Gee) Pine
A WI (A-wee) Deer

What others have to say about the Clay County TSALAGI Trails:

“What a great way to spend a weekend close to home.” MGB Club, GA

“Fun, fun, fun … we ride motorcycles every weekedn and wish more counties offered bike routes.” M.L., Atlanta, GA

“Fording a creek! My kids thought it was great.” L.B., GA

“Thanks for the great trails. Gives us a reason to drive our street rods on weekends.” L.V., Anniston, AL

“Had no idea Alabama was this beautiful … TRULY the best kept secret in Alabama.” D.J., Atlanta, GA

TSALAGI WI Trail Route

A WI Trail is a great motorcycle trail with 242 curves in its 76.5 mile course, with off shoots to Cheaha Mountain, a gold mine and camping.  Tighten your seat beat and hold on to the handle bars!  This one is very popular.

0.0 miles     1-20, Exit 191 onto US 431 South * RV PARKING *

3.7 miles     Turn right onto 281/Skyline Drive go to the “T”, turn left onto Skyline Drive

6.2 miles     Scenic Overlook

7.1 miles     Side trip to Abel. Take off-ramp to Abel, and go left 1.8 miles on right to King Gold Mine and local campgrounds. Return to Scenic Drive to continue on trail.

11.2 miles    Scenic Overlook

13.4 miles    Turn left onto Hwy 49 South

16.9 miles    Nubbin Creek Trail head on right. Walking Trail

19.4 miles    Turn right onto County Road 31 South

23.8 miles    Turn right onto Clairmont Springs Road, County Road 12, continue 10.7 miles

25.4 miles    High Falls Trail Head (walking trail) and waterfall on right

34.6 miles    Turn left onto County Rd 130 Idaho Road

40.6 miles    Turn left onto Hwy 77 South

44.0 miles    Downtown Ashland and junction of Hwy 77 S and Hwy 9 N. Historic Courthouse Square, Art Gallery and shops. Continue the trail on Hwy 9 to Lineville

50.5 miles    Lineville – gas, food

54.4 miles    Barfield – Cole Store on left

60.2 miles    Delta – gas

67.8 miles    Turn left onto Hwy 431 North, 4 way stop – gas

69.7 miles    Side trip option: Take County Road 11 W to County Road 24 W to Abel Gap, Camping, and King Gold Mine

72.4 miles    Junction of Hwy 431 and Skyline Drive Hwy 281

76.5 miles    I-20 back to start of trail

TSALAGI WA LO SI Trail Route

The WA LO SI Trail is a laid back, easy trail that takes you back in time.  Visit Lake Wedowee and Harris Dam, Flat Rock Park, Historic Cragford, and Patterson’s Flats, where the Cherokee camped out on their way to the Battle of Horsehoe Bend.

0.0 miles     Depart on Highway 9 from Lineville, AL to Blakes Ferry Road (service station)

5.0 miles     Berwick Road (swimming hole)

6.4 miles     At Cragford Road/Highway 895 turn right at stop sign (straight ahead swimming at Flat Rock)

7.4 miles     Side road to Harris Dam and Observation Platform

9.4 miles     Downtown Cragford

10.3 miles     Turn left at stop sign. Old Cragford High School (County Road 30)

19.3 miles     Turn right at stop sign onto Highway 49 South

20.3 miles     Mellow Valley (service station)

23.4 miles     Turn right onto Catfish Road (mile marker 57)

24.0 miles     Red’s Catfish on left (listed in “100 Places in Alabama to Eat Before You Die”

24.8 miles     Turn left at “T” stop sign

26.4 miles     Turn right at stop sign, road T’s

27.7 miles     Stop sign continue to the right

30.0 miles     Bluff Springs (Patterson’s Store) Turn left onto Bluff Springs Road

30.3 miles     Turn right onto Bishop Road

31.3 miles     Turn right at the “T”

33.9 miles     Turn left onto Big Springs Road (church)

37.2 miles     Turn left onto Highway 9 South

39.0 miles     Turn right on slaughter Mill Road

41.5 miles     Turn right at “T” onto Pleasant Hill Road

43.5 miles     Turn left at stop sign

44.0 miles     Turn right at the “T” onto Mines Road then proceed straight ahead at stop sign

46.0 miles     Turn right at the “T” onto County Road 5

46.1 miles     Turn to the right at the “T” onto Highway 77

48.4 miles     Downtown Ashland continue straight at traffic light on Highway 9 North

57.2 miles     Lineville – Back at start. Run time 1 hour 45 mintues.