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20-mile hiking challenge weekend at Oak Mountain
Take on a supported 20-mile MammothMarch hike at Oak Mountain State Park—choose Saturday or Sunday, then unwind with lakeside camping and trails.
Event details
After three consecutive sellouts, MammothMarch returns to Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026 — a supported 20-mile hiking challenge set against the sweeping hardwood ridgelines and glassy lakeshores of Alabama’s largest state park. The event is organized by MammothMarch and co-hosted by Shelby County Tourism, led by tourism and events manager Kendall Williams, with registration handled through Race Roster.
The course
A single-circuit loop carries hikers across nearly 10,000 acres of dense forest, rolling ridgelines, and lakeside stretches, accumulating roughly 2,300 feet of elevation gain on unpaved single-track, dirt trails, and gravel roads. Aid stations stocked with water, energy drinks, protein bars, and cereal are spaced every five to seven miles — enough to sustain without interrupting the solitude that defines the experience.
Format and registration
Staggered start times begin at 7:00 AM, with a maximum of five hikers released per wave — a deliberate design that preserves the quiet, backcountry feel even at capacity. Registration is approximately $94.62 and includes a finisher medal. Returning participants can bring their MammothMarch Hiking Pass to collect a 2026 stamp. Saturday’s slots are already sold out; Sunday still has openings as of mid-February.
Who attends
Last year, roughly 30 to 35 percent of hikers traveled from out of state — an unusually high share even within MammothMarch’s portfolio of 50-plus events nationwide — drawn by the park’s scenery and the event’s reputation for exceptional organization. The challenge is non-competitive, dog-friendly, and supported by dozens of on-course volunteers. For every participant registered, one tree is planted, grounding the physical endeavor in a genuine conservation commitment.
Make a weekend of it
Oak Mountain rewards those who linger. Camp at the park’s improved lakeside sites or settle into a cabin in nearby Pelham, then spend the following morning on a recovery paddle across Double Oak Lake or a leisurely walk along the Shackleford Point trail — where the ridgeline opens to views that justify every mile of the day before.
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