5 Tips for Hiking Smith Mountain (the tallest point on Lake Martin)
Did you know the highest point on Lake Martin with the Smith Mountain Fire Tower? Furthermore, did you know Smith Mountain was home to a number of beautiful hike trails that snake in and out of the forest alongside Lake Martin?
I didn’t.
At least not until very recently. George and I had a wide open weekend (rare for George’s collegiate athletics schedule) and decided to embark on a local adventure. We hopped in the car and made the 35-minute drive up Highway 280 to Dadeville, Alabama with a full bag of snacks in tow.
Smith Mountain is owned by the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA), who worked to acquire the area in the early 2010s, preserve the natural beauty and make hiking trails accessible to the public. The land surrounding Smith Mountain is actually owned by Alabama Power Company and is designated to remain “natural undeveloped” (which is partially why you feel like you’re hiking in the middle of a beautiful forest vs. amongst a number of vacation rental homes).
The hike up to the Fire Tower is ~0.4 miles and is fairly steep. I typically take “steep hike” with a grain of salt when reading hiking guides, but they weren’t kidding. My heart rate will confirm the strenuous nature of the path … followed by the ascent of a 90-foot tall tower. You can see for MILES in every direction, listen to the rustling on the pine trees below your feet and watch the boats as they speed through the lake waters. It’s an incredible view (watch this video for a peep of the landscape!)!
We’d highly recommend a day-trip to Smith Mountain, if you’re looking for something adventurous! These are five tips to know before you go.
five tips for hiking smith mountain
Wear comfortable, hiking appropriate shoes. The hike up the mountain is rather steep and there are a few rocky spots. Use extra caution on the way down! I wore my Brooks and they worked perfectly for me; however, there was a gal in Hokas who struggled with the amount of offset on her shoe.
Look for the trail markers. We followed the white trail markers painted on the side of the trees to guide us up the mountain!
Pack enough water & snacks. We brought along a backpack so we could easily carry our water bottles, snacks and a pair of adult beverages. There’s a rest area at the base of the fire tower with a few benches where you can sit and enjoy the view. George and I cracked a cold one after making it all the way up to the top of the tower (and then back down).
If you’re not great with heights, the tower might freak you out a bit. I had to keep my head down and one foot in front of the other in order to make it to the top of the tower … it is HIGH (the highest point on Lake Martin!). I tried to avoid looking out at the scenery until I made it to the top.
Bathrooms. I didn’t notice any public restrooms where you park your car at the base of the trail. Your last opportunity to make a pit-stop might be the McDonald’s in Dadeville. Just a general FYI (especially for my ladies)!
Check out THIS VIDEO for an overview of our hike! After we finished exploring, we drove over to Niffer’s on the Lake for a juicy burger and cheese bites. Well deserved after our afternoon of adventuring!
Hiking Shopping List:
Can Cooler (for keeping your drinks cold)
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