The Doug Ghee Accessible Trail to Bald Rock is easily reached from the main road in the heart of Cheaha State Park. The elevated boardwalk is handicap accessible, with plenty of benches along the 1,520 ft. walkway. Multiple side trails are available just off of the boardwalk. Some of these trails parallel the elevated boardwalk, while others lead off into the wilder sections of the park.

The birds along the trail are those typical of mature, open mixed pine-oak-hickory woods. This is a prime spot for Scarlet and Summer tanagers; the former is often seen in and near the Chestnut Oaks. Woodpeckers (most notably Pileated and Hairy) are often visible, along with Pine Warblers and Brown-headed Nuthatches. The boardwalk offers a great perspective to view winter feeding flocks, such as Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers, and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Winter Wrens are most often seen around the root balls of fallen trees.

The 1/4 mile boardwalk ends atop the highest point in Alabama, providing a sweeping 180-degree view from the observation platform. The platform is an ideal place to hawk-watch, particularly during migration from mid-September through mid-November.

While you're on the mountain, be sure to explore the Cheaha Wilderness Trail, which is accessed from the main road nearby.Views from the Talladega Scenic Byway found along the drive up the mountain are spectacular anytime of the year, but especially so during peak fall leaf color. Hawk migration usually happens in the same time frame, so keep your eyes open both for beautiful fall color and migratory hawks!

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• Ecotourism