Trail Ministry

The Pinhoti Trail is Alabama’s longest hiking trail running from Flagg Mountain near Weogufka (Sylacauga) to the Georgia state line some 179.2 miles to the northeast on Indian Mountain close to the town of Piedmont. The first trail town in Georgia is Cave Spring. Pinhoti is a Creek word meaning turkey home. The Pinhoti Trail continues into Georgia for another 166 miles where it joins the Benton MacKaye Trail and eventually joins the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain. Many serious Appalachian Trail thru-hikers consider the true southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail to be Flagg Mountain in Alabama. 

Long-distance recreational trails offer “new” mission opportunities to churches located in the vicinity of such trails as people from all walks of life and all faith traditions for all sorts of reasons are passing close to such areas. Many of these modern-day pilgrims are seeking meaning and purpose for their lives. As the Appalachian Trail and other major long-distance trails illustrate, communities at strategic locations along such trails develop as “trail towns” that shape the economics and demographics of such locations.

The Pinhoti Trail is emerging as a new frontier in the continued growth of Alabama bringing people from all walks of life into the state. The Alabama portion of the Trail is contained entirely within the geographic boundary of the Presbytery of Sheppards & Lapsley and thus the decision was made to step out in faith and go forward with a ministry of presence on the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama by deploying a chaplain. This role also serves to connect existing congregations close to the trail with relevant opportunities to serve and support the modern-day pilgrims hiking the trail and people in the surrounding trail communities with unmet spiritual needs.