Lakeshore Trail

Pretty good trail, good shading and elevations are so so. The grounds and trail are always clean free of trash and other things. Scene is awesome regardless of where you park. Many times I park by the school and take the trail towards the mall this time I parked at the actually park and walked towards the office buildings, I will be taking that scene more often.

This is a really good running trail. It’s shady, paved, and usually well-​maintained.
Drawbacks are that there aren’t any trash cans (even though there are bags to pick up dog poop– just no where to put them) and that the trail floods when it rains. Don’t plan on going the day after a heavy rain because it will be nasty.
There is a nice little parking lot with water fountains off Green Springs Highway.

I can’t believe in all of my years in Birmingham, and exploring all the trails it has to offer, I haven’t been to this one in my own backyard. It is the perfect trail for exercising. The concrete is all level with no cracks. It has lines all the way down to help keep cross traffic in their own respective lane. A nice blend of shade through a lot of trees and being out in the sun.
I wouldn’t say it has a ton of elevation changes, but definitely has some. We parked at the soccer fields off of Columbiana and went all the way to the end (Brookwood Mall) and back. The whole loop was 5 miles, which was a good amount. And they have mile markers every quarter mile. So you can make your journey any distance you want. We will definitely be back!

I love this active living trail for many reasons. You can start at several different locations along Lakeshore and feel like you’re on a whole new trail! When the weather is nice, you’ll see lots of runners, walkers, cyclers, and more which I think makes exercise more enjoyable.
It’s extremely clean, but there must be some sort of crew that frequently picks up trash. My one issue with this trail is the lack of trash cans, which can be problematic if you have to pick up Fido’s business at the beginning of your 5 mile walk.
Overall a wonderful, pretty place to be active!

This is a great running trail that allows for a pretty flat, partially shaded 5 mile run. You can stretch that to 6 if you go past the target to the end of Brookwood mall.
The trail has lanes like a road to avoid any accidental collisions with any other runner, walker, cyclist, stroller or dogs (on leashes!) that are going the opposite way. It’s pretty popular so be prepared to have to pass or be passed by others.
There are mile markers that are helpful if you start at either end. There’s also plenty of parking and a water fountain at each end. Although, I’d recommend just bringing your own water bottle.

This is a fantastic running trail for so many reasons. Seems like an appropriate time for a list.
Pros
— It is long (for average/​active runner). The main trail is almost 5.5 miles from one end to the other, then back again.
–It is flat. There are only two or three very slight inclines.
–It has lots of shade. I’d venture to say 80% is shaded.
–It has mile markers. These can be either encouraging or depressing.
–It is great for people watching. Tons of folks out and about.
–It has parking on both ends.
–It has water fountains on both ends. Heads up, they aren’t exactly chilly.
Cons
–It can be really crowded. Not a huge deal.
–Cyclist frequently speed by. Not a big deal. It’s just alarming. and those shorts and all. Plus, can they really get a good workout there? For real. You’d have to ride this thing 20 times on a bike to break a sweat.
–There are a couple of areas where the creek can really stink. It’s a sulfur smell.
Yay! I’m a fan.

This is one of the best, pure exercise trails in the city. It runs all along the creek from Brookwood Mall (between 280 & 31) almost to I-​65. It is always very active where I see it most around 31/​Homewood High. Bikers, walkers, roller bladers, runners, parents with strollers. Everything and everyone that wants to move along a two lane asphalt mini-​road only made for people to exercise on is clutch in a city that everybody drives themselves around in. If it’s not long enough for you, you can continue on Lakeshore East a bit ’til you make it over to the trail through Mountain Brook. It’s in a safe part of town and I would think one could feel comfortable exercising along here just before sunrise to just after sundown; however, it’s always safer and more fun to exercise with other people!