Homewood's walking and biking trails: the Shades Creek Greenway, also called the Lakeshore Trail, with trailheads, parking and rules, plus park loops and Red Mountain Park.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Sources: the City of Homewood’s Phase 2 opening notice, greenway ordinance notice and February 2026 council summary; the Homewood Chamber of Commerce; Homewood Parks and Recreation’s locations and hours; and Red Mountain Park’s visitor FAQ.

Homewood’s main trail is the Shades Creek Greenway, also known as the Lakeshore Trail, a paved path along Shades Creek and Lakeshore Drive used by walkers, runners and cyclists. The city counts 145,600 visitors a year and calls it the key east-west link in the Red Rock Trail System, a planned 36-mile loop from Red Mountain Park to Ruffner Mountain.

Who to call

  • Homewood Parks and Recreation: 205-332-6700
  • Report a problem on the trail or in a park: the parks department’s online form
  • Emergencies on the trail: 911; Homewood Police non-emergency 205-332-6200

Shades Creek Greenway (Lakeshore Trail)

Detail
Official trailheads 1280 Columbiana Road; Brookwood Boulevard at Brookwood Village Road
Parking At both ends, with water fountains, the chamber says
Original trail About 3 miles along Lakeshore Drive in the Shades Creek floodplain (chamber, 2022)
Phase 2 1.4 miles westward toward Red Mountain Park, opened January 2025
Long-term plan About 6 miles through Homewood (chamber)
Rules No motorized vehicles; electric bikes allowed

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce describes the trail running parallel to Lakeshore Drive past Homewood High School, Samford University, office buildings and the Target near the former Brookwood Village mall, with many access points beyond the two official trailheads. In January 2025 the city opened Phase 2, a 1.4-mile extension westward that brings the trail closer to Red Mountain Park.

The rules: a City Council ordinance keeps motorized vehicles off the Phase 1 and Phase 2 trails; electric bikes are allowed, according to the city.

What is coming: in February 2026 the City Council heard plans from the Jefferson County Greenways Commission to link the greenway through West Oxmoor into Red Mountain Park, and it approved a streetlight at the trail’s crosswalk at Montgomery Highway, where council members noted early-morning runners and walkers, according to the meeting summary. A new Greenway Pavilion is getting a ribbon cutting, with the dedication of Christina’s Trail, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 1800 S. Lakeshore Drive by the soccer fields.

Park loops

Park Address Hours Path
Central Park 1632 Oxmoor Road 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Walking paths around the park
Patriot Park 710 Oak Grove Road 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large walking path

From Homewood Parks’ locations and hours. More on our parks and trails guide.

Red Mountain Park

Just past Homewood’s edge, Red Mountain Park has several multi-use trails that allow bikes, according to the Jefferson County Greenways FAQ. Entrances are at 2011 Frankfurt Drive and 2019 Venice Road, reached from the Lakeshore Parkway exit of Interstate 65. Dogs must be leashed outside the fenced dog park; see our dog-friendly guide.

A self-guided tour by car

The Homewood Historic Preservation Commission’s self-guided driving tour has 16 audio and text stops across Homewood’s five historic wards. It is built for driving, but the stops make a good list for a neighborhood walk.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Shades Creek Greenway start in Homewood?

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce lists two official trailheads: 1280 Columbiana Road, and the corner of Brookwood Boulevard and Brookwood Village Road. The chamber says there are water fountains and parking at both ends.

How long is the Shades Creek Greenway?

The chamber described the original Lakeshore Trail as about 3 miles in 2022, and the city opened a 1.4-mile westward extension, Phase 2, in January 2025. The long-term plan is about 6 miles through Homewood.

Can I ride an e-bike on the Homewood greenway?

Yes. A city ordinance bans motorized vehicles on the Phase 1 and Phase 2 greenway trails but allows electric bikes.

Where can I walk a loop in a Homewood park?

Central Park, 1632 Oxmoor Road, has walking paths, and Patriot Park, 710 Oak Grove Road, has a large walking path. Both are open 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.