Talladega National Forest 600-2

Much harder than initial rating. We did this trail “backwards”, from NE to SW. Started very smooth, beautiful scenery but easily done by any vehicle or even bicycle. Then came some rocks, needing 4WD but nothing crazy. Then we got the the road the cuts the trail, and soon after saw the “Road Closed” sign, but pressed on, leaves on the trail proved very little vehicle traffic. Rockiness increased significantly. Then we reached a section where wash outs have created a large chasm, like an extended uneven half pipe filled with large rocks. I had to get out and scout a significant portion to insure it could be attempted. Luckily I had aired down to 18psi. We saw roll over 20° in a few spots, very challenging and very fun. Good initial test of my 2024 Rubicon X 2D. Recommend airing down, away bar disconnected and doors on to keep inside the vehicle. Jeep did it all without 4WD low (kept in the 4WD high part-time setting), and never had to engage lockers… but I considered it. Great Trail.

Great trail. Deep ruts are a nice challenge and the mud bog was fun.

There is a private property land dispute leading up to the trailhead; However, the trail is open as an out and back from the top side. Take Highway 281 from Cheaha State Park a few mile south. Where the pavement ends is the open end of the trail. The trail was in great shape and is showing some wear and tear from heavy rain and erosion. All of the water holes are passable with a hard bottom. The rutted area takes a little bit of proper tire placement to avoid falling into the deep erosion ruts. This trail rating is a solid 3. The white colored Rubicon in our group is stock and had no issues with a little spotting.

South End of 600-2 has been gated by a private landowner. County Commissioners looking into the legality of the gate. The dispute is weather this is a public county road, a national forest road, or an easement across private land. As of now you can enter the northern end of 600-2, travel approximately 90% of the trail, and then turn around and exit out the north end,

Yes, the erosion in the washout section, right after the big puddles, really ups this trail difficulty. Went in a stock 4Runner TRD OR with all terrains. In the rutted wash out section, I had to use the rear diff locker twice due to rocking opposite tires off the ground. The other vehicle with me relied on A-Trac. It would be difficult to traverse this section without some form of traction control. There were some steep ruts that require climbing as well. Skid plates scraped several times. Still, quite a memorable trail and lots of fun, if you have enough clearance.

Beautiful scenery BUT it is way harder than this rating shows (showed a 2). Going from the south end I had to turn around after the mud holes (which i bottomed out in). After the 3-mud holes in a row the erosion has made the wash/rut 3-4 feet deep in areas and it zig zags back and forth across the road. For reference i have 2017 4runner 4x4 with AT tires

It was a beautiful day, warm as always in Alabama. The trail is always easy and you just need to watch for the wash on the down hill to the south end.

The entrance near the railroad tracks.

Why I m not sure, I guess I got a bug in my rump. A friend and I made the trip in a 2019 stock ford eco sport 4x4 2 liter. Trail from north to south started off gravel then gave way to washouts and rocks. I read the trail had been repaired. However after the 25.6 inches of rain we had in Jan , Feb its washes out pretty decent and a challenge for a mini s u v . We enjoyed a good ride, and were challenged with the vehicle on 3 wheels several times.

Some rocks and ruts on the south end. The north end is a gravel road. Easy pass for my jeep JLUR with lift and 35 inch tires never left 2wd. Would recommend 621 for better obstacles or 600-1 for better view.

Good ride with small rocks and ruts. I would call this one an easy ride with the option to get into more difficult trails if you leave it.

The trail has been "repaired" and the washouts and obstacles don't exist anymore. There is one slight washout / rock obstacle left along the length of the road. I don't know if it just hasn't been fixed yet or if they're leaving that one spot as it. The trail is still a bumpy rocky ride and I wouldn't tackle it in a mini van but it doesn't have the character it once had.

This was a very fun trail. Did this with my fiancé as a day trip out of Pensacola FL. Well worth the drive. There was virtually no mud when we went through, but plenty of washouts and rocks to keep things interesting. Great views and the fall colors were just starting to come in as well. Overall a very fun trail with great views.

I enjoy this road a lot, can't wait for our leaves to turn and run it. As cited below, the South half between Horns Lake Road Rd. and Gunterston Rd. is quite rough in spots, and I would only attempt it in a 4WD vehicle with decent clearance. However the Northern half of the road between Gunterston Rd. and Adams Gap is graded, graveled, and you could run it in a minivan. If you have time to spare turn West on Gunterston Rd. and take the next left on NF631 which ends in a pretty clearing looking up the the Ridge you just left. That short road has a few major ruts in the last mile, but certainly nothing worse than what you covered on the South section of 600-2.

We went in on the HWY 77 end of the trail. First mile or so was graded roughly. What grading was done, is beginning to wash. I was driving a stock 2003 4runner on good tires, no traction issues. Rough in a stock vehicle, but doable. The bypass tracks around the mud are beginning to rut up pretty bad. Will return with a bigger group.

Trail was open we came in from the south. Near the southern TH they graded about a mile or so of the trail after that it gets more fun. All the bypasses for the mud were still in tact and passable if you choose to go around. We stopped at waypoint 08 to head back into town, but saw a civic coming from the north side so one could assume that it is substantially easier than the southern side of waypoint 08. This is a super fun trail my group and I had a great time.

Trail was open (5/27/18) Memorial Day Weekend and in good shape. Ruts in the south portion at the beginning were the deepest, up to 18-24” in places. Fallen trees had been previously cut and removed. The four or so mud holes all had a bypass available. Depth of mud holes ranged from approx. 12-24”, with hard bottoms. Fun ride!

Trail is open and in good shape. Some of the ruts are growing and the south portion has some pretty large wash outs. Several trees have fallen on the trail but have been cut and removed. There has been a problem with people riding the spur roads off of 600-2. These are not legal NF roads and should be avoided. Signs are posted by the forest service and rumor is that tickets have been issued for trespassing in these areas. Please stay on the main road and tread lightly.