Heed the call of the great outdoors as temperatures dip to bearable and pesky bugs take a sabbatical. Here are a few options for getting out and enjoying the upcoming fall season.

Ride the Trail of Tears

Motorcyclists from near and far will gather Sept. 19 in Bridgeport for the Trail of Tears ride. The path traces the Drane-Hood land route taken by Cherokee tribes from across the Southeast forced to relocate to Oklahoma in 1838. This marks the 33rd year of the ride, which leaves at 8 a.m. and crosses North Alabama from east to west along Highway 72, ending in Waterloo. No fee or registration is required to participate in the ride.

Run at Cathedral Caverns

The Sept. 20 Conquer the Cave 5K race in Woodville starts in the valley against a backdrop of mountains and fields. At the 1.9-mile mark, runners and walkers enter the crown jewel of caves in the Southeast. The part of the 5K course that runs through the cave, a 0.6-mile out and back, is wide enough for two-way traffic. Runners pick up a glow stick at the turnaround point, and decorative lighting is always on. The average outside temperatures for race day are a low of 54 degrees and a high of 79, but the cave interior maintains a cool 58 degrees year-round.

In November, runners are welcomed back for the Cathedral Caverns 5K and 15K Trail Run. The 1.2-mile part of the course inside the cave is the last segment for each of the trail runs. Like the September race, runners are given a glow stick when they reach the turnaround point. Those running the 15K, which is capped at 300 participants, must be able to complete the race before the 2.5-hour cutoff time.

Hike the historic River Mont Cave Trail

Hikers will converge on Bridgeport Nov. 14 for the River Mont Cave Trail hike, a free event now in its second year. The 3-mile hike, which is the mountain portion of the longer historic trail, starts at 10 a.m. on County Road 189 atop Summer House Mountain. It’s an easy loop trail that includes Split Rock, a natural rock formation that leads down to the bottom of a 90-foot cliff. More advanced hikers and those willing to venture farther can continue to Russell Cave National Monument down the Doran Cove side of the mountain, a rugged hike that adds another 4-5 miles. Drinks and snacks will be available, and signs leading to the hike’s starting point will be posted along County Road 189.

The full RMC Trail, a 13-mile Boy Scout trail established in 1967, begins near the Tennessee River walking bridge in Bridgeport. That portion of the trail heads up Battery Hill, the site of a Civil War fort and artillery battery established to protect the railroad bridge. It then winds through downtown, past the new Splash Pad, out to Rocky Springs and back up Summer House Mountain.

Wish upon a star

The night sky takes on extra sparkle when fall rolls around, especially in the dark hills atop the Paint Rock River Valley. One great place to take advantage of the views is Graham Farm and Nature Center, which plans to celebrate the celestial scene over Northeast Alabama in October when it hosts An Evening With the Stars.

For date, time and other details, go to ACES — Graham Farm & Nature Center on Facebook. Another popular spot for fall stargazing is Walls of Jericho, whether from somewhere along the trail during a night hike or from the trailhead parking lot in the comfort of a folding chair. Looking to the south, you’ll see the Milky Way and a host of deep-sky objects, especially in October, when less humidity in the air yields clearer views.

Share the road less traveled

Hikers and cyclists often share trails in the wooded wilds of Jackson County, but there are several roadways well-suited for bike excursions. These include the 29-mile out-and-back route that takes cyclists from Paint Rock to Estillfork along Alabama Highway 65 and County Road 27. From its starting point at the junction of highways 65 and 146 just north of Paint Rock/Princeton, riders encounter gradual elevation climbs on a tree-covered, winding road with minimal traffic. Near the Tennessee state line and turnaround point on County Road 27, riders head eastward along a rustic stretch offering views of old farms, streams and wildflowers before heading south to the starting point. This is a very rural route, so riders must bring plenty of water and bike-repair necessities and are advised to take a deterrent such as pepper spray to deal with dogs that might give chase along the way.

A couple of other recommended out-and-back routes include County Road 42, which begins in Hollywood and passes just south of Crow Mountain as it winds around toward the Fackler community. Another popular biking option starts about half a mile down the hill from the cave at Cathedral Caverns State Park and takes scenic backroads to a turnaround at Lake Guntersville Dam.