What Are the Major Landforms of Alabama?

Some of the major landforms in Alabama include the Talladega Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, the Coosa River valley, the Cheaha Mountain, the Cumberland Plateau, the Piedmont Plateau and the Gulf Coastal Plain. Alabama also boasts the Natural Bridge rock, one of the largest natural bridges in the United States and the largest east of the Rocky Mountains.

The Appalachian Mountains begin near Birmingham and run diagonally in a northeasterly direction. This range breaks off into the Talladega Mountains and the much vaunted Cheaha Mountain, the highest peak in the state. Part of the Talladega Mountains is the Talladega National Forest, which includes a scenic drive over 29 miles culminating at the 2,407-foot Cheaha Mountain. On the other end of the Talladega Mountain Range is rocky terrain and the 2,140-foot Dugger Mountain.

The Cumberland Plateau, another major landform lies in north-central Alabama at an elevation of up to 1,500 feet. This plateau covers 15 percent of the state. Piedmont Plateau accounts for another 10 percent of the state; it starts in eastern Alabama and runs all the way to New Jersey. The Piedmont Plateau starts at a 500-foot elevation and rises to an elevation of 1,000 feet.

The Gulf Coastal Plain runs along the south of Alabama along the Gulf of Mexico. This low-elevation area includes many types of terrain, including swamps and marshes, rivers and waterfalls.