Alabama State Route 25

Alabama State Route 25 is one of Alabama's longest state routes - and one of its most diverse.

After turning directly north away from Alabama State Route 5 in Sunny South, the route winds its way north to Greensboro, one of its largest cities in its portion west of Interstate 65.

After leaving Greensboro, the route winds north-northeast through the Talladega National Forest Oakmulgee District. Upon its second junction with SR-5, the route winds through Centreville before heading east-northeast through Montevallo, Calera, and Columbiana.

The portion of the route from Centreville to Vincent encompasses a portion of a wide eastern beltway of sorts around Birmingham with U.S. Route 231 and Alabama State Route 160.

In Wilsonville, the route turns due north and heads to its junction with US-231/ 280 in Harpersville. After a short concurrency with US-231, the route winds its way across Double Oak Mountain on a fairly curvy routing (See below). Upon reaching US-78 and US-411, signed SR-25 comes to an end as it winds north to the Georgia state line concurrent with aforementioned US-411.

When viewed on a map, SR-25 is among the most expansive state routes in the state, terrain and length-wise; with nearly 1000ft of elevation gain along the path and passage through nine counties in the state.

SR 25 traverses one of the higher peaks in the Birmingham area, Double Oak Mountain, connecting the Coosa and Cahaba River valleys. The roadway was constructed between 1914 and 1921 with support from Buffalo Rock founder Sidney Word Lee, who owned a 3,000-acre camp in Calcis. There is also a railroad line that travels parallel with SR 25 between Vincent and Leeds that tunnels through Double Oak Mountain below the highway.[2]

The 19-mile (31 km) stretch of SR 25 between Vincent and Leeds is popular with motorcyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. This road is off limits to heavy trucks except for local deliveries due to a large number of sharp curves, blind entrances and exits, and a narrow, elevated roadway. The small communities of Vandiver, Sterrett, Calcis, and Dunnavant straddle the highway in this area. The exclusive and private Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, home of the 1984 and 1990 PGA Championships is located on Shelby County Route 41 not far from its intersection with SR 25.