Sweet home Alabama is a haven for hiking locales. Here are three trails in the Yellowhammer state.

This somewhat rigorous trail, totaling 2.8 miles, zig zags near Tohopeka Village, a former Creek Native American camp from the 1800s. Recommended gear: proper shoes, sunscreen, water and jacket for brisk weather. Other outdoor activities at Horseshoe Bend — fishing, hunting, horseback riding, bicycling. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. 11288 Horseshoe Bend Road, Daviston. 256-234-7111. www.nps.gov

More than 50 miles of hiking trails are within this park which was only a quarter of its current size in the 1920s. Visitors to this park also frequent Oak Mountain for mountain biking. Cable sking, basketball courts, nature programs, an 18-hole golf course and boat rentals are other popular activities. Oak Mountain State Park. 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham. 205-620-2524. www.alapark.com.

Following the route of the Sipsey River for 17.4 miles total, scenic river views make this long hike a peaceful and tranquil outdoorsy adventure. Near the end of the hiking route, hikers must cross over the river. Due to the length of the hike, many hikers camp out along the route and finish the hike after a good night's rest. Sipsey River and the hiking trail are a part of the The Sipsey Wilderness, an area of more than 25,000 acres within the Bankhead National Forest and the largest wilderness area east of Mississippi. Cliffs, canyons and many waterfalls are also found near where hikers come to hit the trail. Sipsey River Trail 209. 1070 Highway 33, Double Springs. 205-489-5111. www.fs.fed.us.

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres