As spring approaches, my heart turns to the mountains.

~Cue dramatic music~

Not like I do not enjoy hiking in the winter, but it is slightly more pleasant in the spring.

We Auburn people may live on the plains, but that does not mean that some of us do not love a good hike in the hills!

So... I have compiled a list of places I have personally been to or heard about on the grapevine for those who also love a good jaunt down or up a trail.

These are some pretty gnarly "day trip hikes." They are not arranged in any particular order of greatness, so I do not care for getting any comments of how "so and so" is actually #1.

1. Oak Mountain

It is kind of a mountain... Only a hour or two away outside of Bham! Great mountain biking trails. Close to good donuts. Nice campground with potties. Camped there once in the rain.

2. Providence Canyon (in Georgia)

Never personally been here, but I have heard good things from friends. There's supposedly a canyon.. and rocks.

3. Smith Mountain Fire Tower

Thirty minute or so drive to a parking lot near Lake Martin. Short hike. Incredible view. Very popular place to watch the sunrise. And the tower has just been redone so = very safe.

4. Franklin Roosevelt State Park/Pine Mountain

The views are cool. The campsites are (were) crowded. Bald Knob is the best, and the Pine Mountain Trail gives a lot of hiking possibilities. Go sit with a statue of FDR or eat good food at that Country Kitchen place near Callaway Gardens.

5. Kennesaw

A Battlefield! History! Yay!

Been here several times. They have lots of cute hills (or mountains) and rocks good for jumping and running. Just a short drive north of Atlanta!

6. Mt. Cheaha

Beautiful place. Highest point in Alabama. With an eating place and a pool and good campsites. Don't go camping on a full moon because it will literally shine through your tent. Good stargazing though!

7. Swayback Bridge Trail

Located in good ole Wetumpka. So it is out in the boondocks- near YMCA's Camp Chandler. Thought I lost my cell phone there once. Good amount of trails but nothing spectacular. If you ever try to ride horses on the trails, the old lady who haunts the area will report you with vehemence.

8. Lookout Mountain

It is a long way, but definitely worth the drive, especially in the fall. Lots of civil war history there as well. Plus, Chattanooga's pretty close. You can even visit it in Tennessee OR Georgia. They got some real mountains up there.

9. Tuskegee National Forest

Be careful. You could be robbed here or stranded here and no one would ever find you... But they do have many forestry roads and trails you can drive or hike or bike on! Below is a picture of a scary fire tower that we climbed. Don't recommend it (climbing the fire tower).

10. And of course, our very own Chewacla!!!

A five-minute drive from campus! With trails, cool bike "obstacles," a lake, and waterfall, galore! They have pretty good showers here if you are camping.

Actually have not been to Chewacla since I began attending Auburn, so I should prob do something about that.

Happy trails!