Eastern Shore National Recreation Trail:
Alabama
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Description:
In 2010 this trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail and extends from the Battleship Causeway, across Mobile Bay and along the course of US 98 to Mullet Point south to the city of Fairhope, AL.

Before setting out from USS Alabama Memorial Park on the Battleship Parkway/US 90/98, you can tour the WWII battleship (fee), for which the park is named, as well as several aircraft. You can also stop to swim, fish, picnic or enjoy nature trails along the way. At the Gator Alley boardwalk, an underpass for I10, observe alligators, turtles and seabirds.

The trail passes through the towns of Daphne, Montrose and Fairhope and links with the Fairhope South Beach Trail. The Marriott Grand Hotel south of Fairhope offers an elegant respite 6 miles before trail's end.

The trail is mostly concrete or asphalt, but because of the wide variation in grade, you will encounter elevated boardwalks and high-rise bridges, both wood and metal.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Parking is available at numerous places along the 36-mile route.

USS Alabama Memorial Park: From Mobile, AL, take US 90/98 east (tunnel under the water) toward Mobile Bay and look for signs to the park. The road is also known as State 42/Old Spanish Trail/Battleship Parkway. You can also take I10 through an underwater tunnel and exit onto Old Spanish Trail/US98/Rt. 42/Battleship Parkway.

Mullet Point: From the city of Fairhope, head south on US98 Alt E/Mobile Ave (Mobile Bay on your right) to Magnolia Ave/Co. 1 (where US98 Alt breaks away to the east) to Mullet Point Park.

Probably one of the best locations to start is in Fairhope where you can go both north and south about the same distance.

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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Do NOT start at North End
By Robert Eddy in May, 2010
The website is www.thetrailblazers but you'll not find a useful map there. It's really a patchwork of sidewalks and shoulder riding. We managed to get lost within five miles of starting at Meaher State Park. ($2.00 fee) The signage is very poor and local people don't seem to know much about the trail.
Better
By beachside in December, 2009
I tooktothe southend of the trail this week and it was much better. Leaving from the south terminus I headed north along the roadway on the narrow shoulder for several miles (narrow meaning 16-18"). I was not bad except for the cars following behind a truck. They were unable to see me until the truck cleared and then it was a fright to steer off the shoulder into the middle ofthe road. The scenery was beautiful and the rolling hills in Fairhope were picturesque but not overwhelming. T=Fairhope itself is a quaint little burg with speciality shops and eateries. Very nice. The bulk of the trail is paved off-road but the narrow shoulders at many places makes it "interesting".
WHAT?!
By beachside in December, 2009
It was a toss-up. Hattiesburg MS or Mobile AL? I chose Mobile and wasted a day. I took the listed coordinates from the trail description and headed to Battleship Memorial. The park personnel know nothing about a bike trail - nothing new. The co-ords put me at the entrance to the park - right in the middle of route 90. I rode around for an hour or so looking for anything resembling a trail - nothing. Narrow shoulders on 90 and private roadways that look like bike trails. "Well, you must have gotten it wrong." Check the website upon my return home I find I didn't have it wrong. I followed the direction spot-on. I'll be checking into this one - but in the meantime beware!

Gene Browning
genebrowning@cfl.rr.com
Tulips in bloom
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: USS Battleship Alabama Memorial Park to Mullet Point
Counties: Baldwin, Mobile
Trail Length: 36 miles
Trail Category: Greenway/Non-RT
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Concrete
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6360342

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Southeast rail-trails in RTC's Southeast Guidebook.