Alabama Trailblaze Challenge Participants

Are you ready to step into the adventure? If so, the Make-A-Wish Alabama Trailblaze Challenge is exactly what you are looking for!

This program features 12 weeks of training on Alabama’s most beautiful trails. You will receive full support from experienced hike leaders and Make-A-Wish staff as you prepare to accomplish a 26.3-mile hike in one day on the Pinhoti Trail. This is a hike, not a race, and caters to all levels from novice to advanced outdoor enthusiasts.

As well as being an extraordinary physical test, you will also be given all the tools needed to help you raise much-needed funds for wish kids in Alabama. Over 300 children are currently waiting on a wish and the referrals have grown since the pandemic. A wish gives children renewed energy and strength, brings families closer together and unites communities -- come be a part of changing lives with the power of a wish!

By supporting the Trailblaze Challenge, you will help Make-A-Wish Alabama grant more than 175 wishes this year.

You may have seen our billboard equation “26.3 ÷ 840 = 175” and noticed that it appears to be incorrect! 26.3 is the length of the hike, 840 is the number is minutes you have to complete the hike and 175 is the number of wishes you will help grant when you join the Trailblaze Challenge!

How Do I Get Started?

To begin your journey, you'll need to attend an information meeting. Info sessions are held on various dates between January 6 and January 21 in the Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile areas. These meetings are designed to inform you about the mission of Make-A-Wish and describe in detail the weekend-long hike event that will change your life.

Info sessions fill up quickly - RSVP today to reserve your spot! The deadline to register is January 24, 2024. Info sessions will be canceled if the event sells out prior to the meeting date, so don't delay! We want to see you out on the trails!

Charlotte, 5

"Children like Charlotte need a wish because it gives them hope … It made her forgot about the bad times, living in the hospital, the needles, the pain, the teas — it gave her the hope that we couldn't. To have this wish made her believe that there is good to be found in the world, too."

Estela, Charlotte’s mom

Read Charlotte's story

Featured Kids - Charlotte

David, 13

"The wish has brought so much joy to David's life. He now has something he can look forward to every morning. He can physically touch it, hold it and see it, and that brings him so much hapiness."

Maria, David's mom

Read David's story

Featured Wish Kid - David