It’s been a long, cold winter in much of Alabama, not to mention the rest of the country. But there are benefits to the season: for one, it opens up some of the best scenic views across the state – unobstructed by the lush leaves of spring and summer. So, with winter waning but Alabama’s wealth of warm-weather greenery still not upon us, here are some choice spots where beautiful and bountiful winter views are still available to you across the state:

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  Photo: Alabama Tourism Department

  Cheaha State Park – The highest point in the state, Cheaha Mountain in east Alabama rises 2,407 feet above sea level. The view from Bald Rock, accessible via a short hike, offers stunning vistas of the surrounding region.

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  The view from Birmingham’s Red Mountain.

  Red Mountain – The ridge that overlooks Birmingham and the Jones Valley of Jefferson County offers several choice locations for catching a view. One is Vulcan Park and Museum, also site of the world’s largest cast iron statue. Just below Vulcan Park is the Vulcan Trail, which provides glimpses of the city along its route. A short drive southwest of downtown is the new Red Mountain Park, where several trails climb to scenic vistas. And in the opposite direction, but also close by, is Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, where the Hawk’s View Overlook Trail leads to one of the most spectacular views in the city.

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  Photo: Alabama Tourism Department

  Mobile Bay and Alabama’s Gulf Coast – OK, so we’re not talking mountain views here. But when a stressful week calls for a couple of days of downtime, Alabama’s Gulf Coast can work wonders. Beach and ocean vistas are just as lovely in late winter, and you have the added benefit of avoiding the summer crowds.In the Mobile area, there are several places where water views and winter walks can be inspiring. Consider Dauphin Island, a bird sanctuary and barrier island at the southwest tip of Mobile Bay that is accessible either by bridge or automobile ferry from Fort Morgan. The ferry ride itself offers worthy views. Battleship Park, on the causeway near downtown Mobile, features the World War II battleship USS Alabama and other important exhibits about U.S. military history. The battleship is also a great place to view the beauty of Mobile Bay. On the east side of the bay, the municipal pier in the lovely town of Fairhope offers great views and pleasant strolls in the surrounding parks. And in nearby Gulf Shores, the fishing pier at Gulf State Park is the largest one on the Gulf and offers gorgeous views of the gulf waters and its white sandy beaches.

Little River Canyon (Photo: National Park Service)

• Lookout Mountain – This scenic ridge in northeast Alabama is home to Little River Canyon National Preserve, DeSoto State Park, High Falls Park and the scenic town of Mentone, site of the nation’s southernmost ski resort. The 93-mile Lookout Mountain Parkway, which begins in Gadsden and eventually crosses into Georgia and Tennessee, was named by Readers Digest magazine as one of the most scenic drives in the nation. Wonderful winter vistas abound in this area of the state.

For more ideas about where to catch a great view in Alabama, visit the state’s official travel site.

— Veronica Kennedy