It is 15 miles from Dadeville to Alexander City, if you take the straight shot along U.S. Highway 280. But that’s as the crow flies, and what fun is there in traveling like a crow? Sometimes it’s better to get from point A to point B via points X, Y and Z.

So on this trip we are going to travel as the eagle flies, twisting and turning and going whichever way the wind (or, in our case, the road) takes us. We’ll circle around the southern edge of Lake Martin, enjoying the beauty of the surrounding hills, trees and, of course, the lake itself.

Begin by heading south from Dadeville on Alabama 49, toward Walnut Hill. A small arm of Lake Martin juts across the highway about 7 miles from Dadeville in an area known as StillWaters. This is a good place to start the trip with a bite of lunch.

Oskar’s Café (6684 Hwy. 49 S., 256-825-4827, oskarscafe.com) has been a popular spot for lake-goers for more than 20 years, with a menu selection ranging from chicken fingers to blackened grouper to filet mignon.

Another nearby dining option is Niffer’s Place (7500 Hwy. 49 S., 256-825-5950, niffersplace.com). Keely Beasecker, a former member of the Auburn University swim team, opened the original Niffer’s off campus in 1991 and expanded to Lake Martin in 2002. Burgers are the restaurant’s specialty, highlighted by a 2-pound monstrosity dubbed “Niffasaurus the Beast” (four patties, four cheeses, bacon and a fried egg on sourdough).

“Our burgers are to die for,” says assistant floor manager Felicia Pack. “Come in and see if you can defeat the Beast.”

Niffir’s at the Lake

After that, it is definitely time for some exercise. Continue south on Alabama 49 for 2 miles, then turn right onto Alabama 50. After approximately 4 miles, turn right onto Johnny Allen Scenic Overlook Drive, which was recently renamed in honor of a former Tallapoosa County commissioner.

Not only is this a beautiful 5-mile stretch of drive – especially the area along the Tallapoosa River below Martin Dam – but there are several easily accessible hiking trails along the way. The Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail (cherokeeridgealpinetrail.org ) includes seven different routes, all in the easy-to-moderate range of difficulty. For a more strenuous hike, try the 3.6-mile Deadening Alpine Trail, which offers some spectacular views of Lake Martin.

Just before reaching Martin Dam, Overlook Drive reconnects with Alabama 50, where you turn right. You are now on the more secluded, lower side of Lake Martin. For the next 6 miles there is not much to do, except enjoy the scenery and marvel at how hilly the landscape remains this far south into the state.

The seclusion soon ends once you turn right onto Alabama 63 and head back north toward Alexander City. This is one of the main arteries for lake-goers, and the traffic and attractions both pick up.

Among the sights are the Lake Martin Amphitheater Park (8878 Kowaliga Rd, 256-397-1019, theamponlakemartin.com), which holds concerts and an annual Fourth of July fireworks show; the Children’s Harbor facility (1 Our Children’s Highway, 334-857-2133, childrensharbor.com), a lakeside retreat for ill children and their families; and the famous Kowaliga restaurant (295 Kowaliga Marina Road, 256-215-7035, kowaligarestaurant.com), with its boat dock and tasty fried catfish.

Springhouse at Lake Martin

A few miles farther north on the left side of Alabama 63 sits Russell Crossroads (17 Russell Farms Road, russellcrossroads.com), a charming collection of shops and restaurants, along with a horseback-riding stable. For dinner and Sunday brunch with a view, try the SpringHouse restaurant (12 Benson Mill Road, 256-215-7080, springhouseatcrossroads.com).

Finally, less than 5 miles before returning to Highway 280 near Alexander City, there is a hidden gem of a state park. Located at the end of Alabama 128 barely a mile off Alabama 63, Wind Creek State Park (4325 Hwy. 128, 256-329-0845, alapark.com/wind-creek-state-park) has cabins and nearly 600 campsites spread across more than 1,400 acres.

The entire northern and eastern side of Wind Creek sits on the edge of Lake Martin. This provides visitors easy access to the water, and makes it a popular fishing location. It also allows for alluring lake views while grilling out or tossing horseshoes.

Wind Creek is an ideal place to relax and let this road trip come to a close.

And if you look up, you might even see an eagle flying past.