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We are SRT: Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Enhances Trail Experiences for Cyclists

In 2017, with a mission to build a greenway connecting the Tennessee Valley, Launch 2035 rallied community, state, and regional support, ultimately leading to the development of the Singing River Trail Master Plan. This initiative caught the attention of Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Manager Ricky Ingram, who joined forces with Launch and the Singing River Trail (SRT) to help bring this regional network to life.  

Initially, the plan aimed to connect just three counties in North Alabama. However, the vision soon expanded, and today, the trail spans eight counties across the region.  

Among these eight counties lies Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Since partnering with SRT, Ingram and his team have successfully added a new spur route along the Tennessee River, using finer rock materials to make the path more bike-friendly. The project was a $4 million endeavor, and thanks to SRT’s collaborative support, it reached completion faster than anyone anticipated.  

While projects of this magnitude can often take years, SRT’s involvement has helped expedite the process, ensuring that North Alabama residents can benefit sooner.

“It’s easy to talk about things and put them on a map, but it’s a lot harder to get them on the ground,” Ingram shared.

Today, visitors can explore the Wheeler Wildlife segment of the Singing River Trail and enjoy scenic views of the Tennessee River along Rockhouse Bottom Road. Additional trails can be found  here. At Wheeler, wildlife always comes first, so head to their website for more information and to view any closures or restrictions before you head out on the trail.

For those interested in experiencing the trail, additional trail information can be found here.

Explore Wheeler Wildlife Trail

This addition to the Singing River Trail is part of SRT’s broader goal of connecting existing trails and building new paths to form an interconnected network that improves quality of life across the Tennessee Valley.