walk sections of the trail onto trails away from the road. A new southern terminus of the trail at the base of Flagg Mountain, opened in March 2015. Appalachian Trail designation Occasionally, a small but vocal group of Alabama hiking groups have been advocating to officially designate the Pinhoti Trail as a part of the Appalachian Trail — a move that would make Flagg Mountain the southern terminus of the AT. However, these attempts have garnered a significant amount of controversy and backlash. Groups trying to push the merger forward utilized disinformation tactics and attempted to claim that Benton MacKaye wanted this and that acclaimed Alabamian hiker Nimblewill Nomad was promoting the idea. However, this was revealed to be disinformation and Nimblewill Nomad clarified his position by stating on his website that he was completely opposed to Pinhoti being made a part of the AT and that the two trails should remain separate. Trails used in the system Johns Mountain Trail and the Keown Falls loop trail Simms Mountain Rail Trail The Pinhoti joins the Chief Ladiga Trail, a rail trail, for a short portion. Connecting trails The northeastern terminus is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Heflin Spur (3.5 miles) established in August 2018 connecting with the Pinhoti at FS 500 parking lot to Heflin City Hall. Chinnabee Silent Trail (8.0 miles) established in 1977 connecting with the Pinhoti at Little Caney Head in the Cheaha Wilderness to the Chinnabee Lake Recreation Area. Public lands traversed Weogufka state forest Talladega National Forest including the Cheaha Wilderness and the Dugger Mountain Wilderness. Talledega National Forest has of trail in its boundaries. Most of the Georgia Pinhoti Trail is in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Indian Mountain Complex managed by Alabama's Forever Wild See also List of Hiking Trails in Alabama References External links Pinhoti Trail Alliance Alabama Hiking Trail Society Alabama Trail Association Appalachian Trail Club of Alabama Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association Pinhoti Trail at The Conservation Fund Hiking trails in Alabama Hiking trails in Georgia (U.S. state) Long-distance trails in the United States National Recreation Trails in Alabama National Recreation Trails in Georgia (U.S. state) Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Great Eastern Trail Protected areas established in 1970 1970 establishments in Alabama Protected areas of Alabama Alabama placenames of Native American origin Georgia placenames of Native American origin