Swayback Bridge Trail

Maps

Swayback Bridge Trail Map   - this is a zoomed in section of the other map.
Locator Map for Swayback   - this a trail and area map provided by Chris Snyder an author and local rider. Visit his site Mountain Biking Alabama

Trail of Legends - this is the official site of the Swayback Bridge Trail. Visit it for the latest information about the trail.

Directions - Swayback Bridge Trail

• Directions:  From North Ala. travel south from Sylacauga to Rockford toward Wetumpka on 231 for approx. 12-15 miles.  After crossing Swaybridge Bridge on 231, watch for sign for Jordan Dam.  You can only turn right.  Follow directions below that begin "travel 2.4 miles......."
• From I 65 travel south to Clanton (3rd exit ) turn left on Hwy 31. Travel approx. 5-6 mi, turn left on Hwy 143.  Travel approx. 5-6 miles and turn left on Hwy. 111.  Follow 111 approximately 10-12 mi. to Wetumpka. Turn left at first traffic light and travel 2 miles to Hwy. 231, turn left, and follow directions below beginning with" 3.4 miles....."
• North from Montgomery on US 231 through Wetumpka.  3.4 miles past intersection with AL 14 you will see signs for Jordan Dam.  You can only turn left.  Travel 2.4 miles and take a left. (if you cross over the bridge, turn around, you have gone too far) After left go 150 yds. and a pea gravel covered parking lot is on the right in front of large information sign board.  The trailhead is directly across the gravel road from the parking lot.  There is a very big rustic entrance sign to the trail which reads "Swayback Bridge Trail-established 1998-Trail of Legends".

Trail Access

Provided by Alabama Power Co. ( great folks to work with)

Trail Use

Mountain Bikers and Hikers Only: Trail is off limits to horses and all motorized vehicles (including motorcycles and ATV's )  Please be considerate of hikers at all times.   They are a vital part of the organization.  Some have small children with them.

Trail Description

Important Note: More land has been acquired and more trails created since this discription was written. Visit the Trail of Legends web site for current information.
The trail is an 8 mile loop consisting of  some tight and technical singletrack with some steep ups and downs.  It is marked at major turns with arrows- blue for clockwise and red for counterclockwise.  Mileage markers are posted @ 1/2 mile intervals. The trail is now seasoned and chopped sections are stable. Off camber is almost non-existent.  Plenty of roots and rocks to watch out for.  Bikers will love the  "Roller coaster" trail along Lake Jordan.  Great  close-up views of  the water as you glide the fast track! (better pay attention).  One section consists of fun switch backs through pines, ending either in a quick, fun descent to a beautiful hardwood bottom, or a power line if you are traveling the other direction.  The power line is fast track (big ring section) and you can maintain speed back into the woods for several hundred feet on rolling singletrack.  There is a new section near the trailhead (.5 mi.) that features about 1.5 -2.0 miles of fast singletrack with some short up and down bursts, but is not representative of most of the loop.  The logging road at the trailhead carries you to the .5 marker which is a left turn into the first singletrack.  The road stays pretty wet except during summer.  Try to ride the edges.   I haven't said much about the "grunt" sections, but they neatly interspersed with the fast stuff throughout the loop.  Chris and company did an excellent job of trail layout with maximum land use and minimal environmental impact. A must-ride track for Alabama Mountain Bikers.

Trail Builders

Chris Snyder and local Mountain Bikers from the area. The governing organization is "Trail of Legends Inc."

Future Plans

While the skill level is now about intermediate; some loops will be developed around the difficult sections to give less skilled riders an option. Alabama Power is now considering more land use for Trail of Legends adjacent to existing trails.

Parking

Parking is in the pea gravel covered parking lot is on the right side of the road. It is located in front of large information sign board.  The trailhead is directly across the gravel road from the parking lot. 

Local Contact

Most of the information here was submitted by a Marvin Cox, local rider. Thanks and a tip of the helmet to Marvin. He can be contacted by: Phone (334)285-3111 evenings or (800)351-4040 ext.212  days for additional information.