Boulder Gorge Loop (Moss Rock Preserve) Hiking Guide
Moss Rock Preserve is a 349-acre city-owned nature preserve in Hoover with about 12 miles of trails, big sandstone boulders and a rare type of sandstone glade. The Boulder Gorge Loop is the Orange Trail's tour of the preserve's newer northeastern section: up Hurricane Branch to the highest waterfall in the area, across a small natural bridge and past the Rock House Boulders.
Distance and Route
Hiking Project measures the loop at 2.1 miles with about 235 feet of climbing, rated intermediate. A Friends of Moss Rock Preserve write-up hosted by the city puts the whole Orange Trail loop with its side trails at about 2.4 miles. From the trailhead, follow the Orange Trail up the gorge, turning right at the first junction and staying right where the Orange Loop Trail splits off. At about a mile, a four-way junction leads straight ahead to High Falls. Return on the Orange Loop Trail across the creek, past Natural Bridge and the Rock House Boulders, to rejoin the trail you came in on.
Top of the World and the Glades
The same write-up describes a 0.1-mile side trail to the Top of the World Scenic Overlook as steep but well worth it, with views across the gorges from the highest local point. The loop also passes mountain longleaf pine and sandstone glades. The city says the preserve holds six rare plant species and a variant of sandstone glade thought to have only about 35 known occurrences worldwide. Those plants die when the soil is compacted, so step only on bare rock in the glades.
Parking at Simmons Middle School
The quickest access is the lower parking lot of Simmons Middle School at 1575 Patton Chapel Road. Look for the blue Moss Rock parking sign, drive to the lowest end of the lot and enter the trail system by the old wooden kiosk. Where the lead-in trail approaches Hurricane Branch, a single-track fork runs straight ahead along the creek and ties into the Orange Trail without a crossing; two bridges elsewhere in the preserve washed away in a 2014 flood.
Preserve Rules
There is no fee to visit. The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, and cars may only be parked during those hours. Hoover's ordinance requires pets to be caged or on a leash 6 feet long or shorter, and it bans bicycles on the trails, alcohol, glass containers, campfires and camping. Report violations to the Hoover Police Department at 205-822-5300.
When to Go
High Falls and the gorge look their best after a good rain, when the city's directions page calls the gorge visually stunning and warns that it gets slippery. In a dry spell the falls can drop to almost nothing, and the boulders and glades become the main attraction. Hiking Project lists fall colors and wildflowers among the route's features, so spring and autumn are both good bets.
Hiking tips for Boulder Gorge Loop (Moss Rock Preserve)
- Park at the lowest end of the Simmons Middle School lot and start at the wooden kiosk.
- Take the single-track fork along the creek to avoid wading Hurricane Branch.
- Stay on bare rock in the sandstone glades.
- Go after rain for the best flow at High Falls.
- Leave glass containers at home; they are banned in the preserve.
Nearby trails to explore
- Red Mountain Park Loop
- Peavine Falls and Peavine Gorge (Oak Mountain State Park)
- Vulcan Trail (Vulcan Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Moss Rock's boulders are more fun to explore with others. Use TrailMates to find hikers for a loop through Boulder Gorge, pick a day after a good rain in the event's group chat, and meet at the Simmons Middle School lower lot. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.