Skyway–Chinnabee–Pinhoti Loop (Pin-Chin-Sky)

Cheaha Wilderness and Talladega National Forest, Talladega Ranger District (Adams Gap, south of Cheaha State Park)

“Devil's Den, Talladega National Forest” by Rick from Alabama , CC BY 2.0 · Source · Cropped and resized for the web

The Pin-Chin-Sky Loop links three trails in the southern Cheaha Wilderness: the Pinhoti Trail, the Chinnabee Silent Trail, and the Skyway Loop Trail. In about 17 miles it climbs rocky ridges with views over east-central Alabama, drops to waterfalls and swimming holes along Cheaha Creek, and fords a few wide creeks on the way back. Alabama Outdoors calls it a perfect overnight.

It’s also one of the tougher trips in the state, especially the rocky Pinhoti section.

The hike

The loop begins at the Adams Gap Trailhead on AL 281, which Alabama Outdoors puts 3.8 miles south of Cheaha State Park. Many trip reports go counterclockwise, starting north on the Pinhoti. Alabama Outdoors suggests clockwise for an easier hike.

The Pinhoti section is the hardest. The Pinhoti Trail Alliance’s notes describe the first eight miles counterclockwise as rocky climbs and descents, bluffs, and rock gardens. The best-known obstacle is the “Stairway to Heaven,” which one guide describes as a rugged half-mile rock garden climbing almost 600 feet. Reviewers mention great views from overlooks along the ridge, rocks and roots underfoot, and some poorly marked stretches. One recommends checking for ticks because of the narrow, brushy path.

The Pinhoti meets the Chinnabee Silent Trail at Caney Head, atop Talladega Mountain. The Pinhoti Trail Alliance notes call Little Caney Head a busy spot with six fire rings, and one hiker camped at the Pinhoti–Odum–Chinnabee junction.

The Chinnabee Silent Trail then descends along Cheaha Creek. Business Alabama tells its story: it was built in the mid-1970s by Boy Scout Troop 29, students at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, working nearly every weekend for two years with pickaxes and hoes. The “Silent” in the name honors them. A Forest Service recreation specialist quoted in the article credits the trail with drawing much of the use in the area. The Forest Service describes the trail as passing flowing streams, rock outcroppings, and waterfalls, including Cheaha Falls near the Turnipseed Trailhead and Devil’s Den, a popular swimming hole near Lake Chinnabee. The Pinhoti Trail Alliance notes put a three-sided trail shelter at about 9.2 miles, and one reviewer describes the Chinnabee shelter right beside the creek.

Near Lake Chinnabee, the loop turns onto the Skyway Loop Trail. The Forest Service says the lake area is now day use only. One trip report found the trail hard to pick up after crossing the creek at Lake Chinnabee. Alabama Outdoors says the Skyway climbs to a ridge with views of the Talladega Mountains and crosses several large creeks, the biggest being Barbaree and Hubbard. The Pinhoti Trail Alliance notes warn that the three moderate creek crossings in this section call for extreme caution after heavy rain. One guide says you’ll have to get your feet wet fording Hubbard Creek.

Reviewers disagree on the last stretch. Several found the Skyway the least interesting part, and more than one warns that water gets scarce on the final miles toward Adams Gap, especially in dry weather. The Skyway returns to the Pinhoti just 0.2 mile from the Adams Gap Trailhead, per the Pinhoti Trail Alliance notes.

For a shorter Cheaha overnight with big views, see McDill Point.

Tips

Choose your direction. Alabama Outdoors says clockwise is easier. Many hikers go counterclockwise to get the Stairway to Heaven done first.
Carry extra water for the Pinhoti and the end. Reviewers report little reliable water on the Pinhoti section and the last several miles, especially in fall.
Expect wet feet. The Skyway section fords several creeks, including Hubbard Creek. Use extreme caution after heavy rain.
Check for ticks and bugs. Reviewers mention ticks on the narrow Pinhoti and heavy mosquitoes in summer.
Budget extra miles. One hiker says trail-sign mileage between the Chinnabee shelter and Adams Gap is off by a couple of miles.

Camping

Camping is dispersed along the loop. One guide says you can camp anywhere along the loop as long as you follow the Forest Service’s dispersed camping guidelines. The Pinhoti Trail Alliance notes list more than a dozen large campsites and a three-sided shelter at about 9.2 miles counterclockwise. Water is reliable along Cheaha Creek and seasonal elsewhere. Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area is day use only. We found no permit requirement for backcountry camping; confirm with the Talladega Ranger District (256-362-2909).

Inside Intel: Hubbard Creek comes up again and again. One reviewer who hiked counterclockwise from the Chinnabee Silent Trail camped at the Hubbard Creek campsite on the Skyway and called it simply perfect. Another hiker recommends a camp at a water crossing about two miles before Adams Gap, which leaves a short walk out the next morning. If you’d rather stop halfway, one hiker camped at the Chinnabee shelter by the creek, around mile 9 counterclockwise.

Trail facts

Distance: About 16.7 to 18 miles, depending on the source
Route type: Loop, usually two days. Either direction.
Difficulty: Strenuous on the Pinhoti section; moderate on the Chinnabee and Skyway
Elevation: Not confirmed. The Stairway to Heaven alone climbs almost 600 feet in about half a mile, per one guide.
Campsites: Dispersed; many established sites. Trail shelter on the Chinnabee Silent Trail.
Water: Reliable along Cheaha Creek and larger creeks; seasonal on the Pinhoti ridge. Treat all water.
Permits: None found. Confirm with the Talladega Ranger District.
Hazards: Rocky terrain, creek fords after rain, ticks
Trailhead: Adams Gap Trailhead on AL 281, south of Cheaha State Park (Turnipseed Trailhead is an alternate start)
Last verified: September 28, 2026

The Lowdown

Wet feet at Hubbard Creek:

On the Skyway Loop Trail you'll ford Hubbard Creek and cross Barbaree Creek, and trail notes urge extreme caution at these crossings after heavy rain. Five tips for creeks like these.

Read the crossing tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.