Soughahoagdee Falls

Deep inside of the Bankhead National Forest lies a waterfall who’s name is more difficult to pronounce than the hike to get there! Soughahoagdee Falls is a 4.0 mile out and back trail that is heavily trafficked near Houston, Alabama. The trail features a river, several small waterfalls, a forest and large boulders.

The trail begins at a small parking area on the SW side of Brushy Creek. Some of the trail apps will show the trailhead on the northside of the bridge. You can park there but it will be necessary to make a short road walk across the bridge to reach the trail. Since this is a very popular trail parking may be limited and it may be necessary to park your vehicle along the road.

The trail to the falls is very wide and easy to follow. On the right side of the trail is Bushy Creek and for a majority of the hike boulders and rock outcropping line the left side. Unless you want to get wet or climb a cliff the trail automatically funnels you to the falls making it nearly impossible to get lost.

At about the halfway point there is a tricky spot where the trail gets quite thin and is covered with leaves. However continue to bear right and cross a small creek. From here the trail will make a steep climb to the top of the hill. If you watch closely you will notice small pink ribbons that help point the way. Once reaching the top a wide flat trail (possibly an old logging road) will re-appear. Continue to fall this path till it dead ends at the falls.

From this tricky point till you to the main falls the trail is riddled with many tall but small falls. Most are not easily visible but can be heard splashing on the rocks below. However once your reach Soughahoagdee Falls there will be no mistaking it. It is just stunning.

Soughahoagdee does not have a large thunderous volume of water falling over its edge,. Instead the falls are a wide with a shallow ribbon of water trickling over its precipice. Many waterfalls are deafening but not Soughahoagdee, it has a nice soothing call. As I stood and watched I thought this would be an awesome falls to record and listen to on one of the hard to fall asleep nights.

The final thing that makes this falls a bit more fun is that there is a well established trail that leads behind the falls. It is muddy and slick but the view looking downstream through the falling water is a must. The trail will continuecompletely under the falls and exits the other side. From here you can make a small loop to reconnect to the main trail or retrace your steps.

Once I got my fill I returned to the trail and back to the Jeep. If you are in the Bankshead National Forest take a day to visit this awesome waterfall. It is well worth your time. I plan to return in the spring and maybe I will catch some of you losing track of time behind Soughahoagdee Falls!

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How to get there…

From Huntsville take I-565 west toward Decatur. Take exit 1 onto I-65 south toward Birmingham, Alabama. Continue on I-65 for 22 miles then take Exit 328 on to SR-36 toward Hartselle, Alabama. In 13 miles turn right onto Main Street. Turn left onto S. Danville Rd and continue straight for 12 miles. Continue straight on County Road 195 for 7.5 mile. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 266 and in 6.7 mile you will reach the parking area.

~Slow-LEE Hiking