Birmingham, Pelham, Shelby County partners create new 'epic' trail at Alabama's Oak Mountain State Park

Bikers, hikers and joggers now have even more ground to cover at Oak Mountain State Park.Officials have opened a new 4.5 mile section of bike trail that increases the mountain bike route of the state's largest park to 22 miles.

The two-part addition -- Lake Trail and Bridge and Rattlesnake Ridge -- is a result of a partnership between the state, Shelby County, the City of Pelham and BUMP, the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers organization.

The new section, plus the construction of an additional three miles due to start mid-month, has brought the park's bike route the designation of Epic trail from the International Mountain Biking Association. Currently there are 52 trails worldwide with the Epic trail distinction, officials said. More...