State: AL Length: 1.9 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Catman Road Trail is one of several in the Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails network in Alabama's Gulf State Park. It directly connects to several others: Twin Bridges, Rattlesnake Ridge, Cotton Bayou and Rosemary Dunes for a seamless ride through the park. The flat, easy route follows a former roadway through coastal scrubland and pine trees.
State: AL Length: 1.1 miles Surface: Dirt, Sand
As its name implies, the Cotton Bayou Trail begins near the tip of the Cotton Bayou and a small beach area in southern Alabama's Orange Beach. From there, the non-paved (and often sandy) trail heads northwest for a mile through dense vegetation and along wetlands in Gulf State Park. It ends at the Catman Road Trail, which takes you further into the park and connects to other Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
State: AL Length: 36 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
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.
State: AL Length: 3.19 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Gulf Oak Ridge Trail is part of a network called the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails, located off the Gulf of Mexico coastline near the Alabama/Florida border. The trail starts at a paved trailhead parking area off State Park Road 2, north of Shelby Lake, and runs about 3 miles to the Orange Beach Sportsplex. You can connect to the other trails at its eastern end, just below the Sportsplex, where it meets the Twin Bridges Trail. The pathway offers a charming, easy ride under the canopy of mossy old-growth trees within Gulf State Park. Along the way, keep your eyes open for birds as the area is known as an excellent birding site, as well as armadillos, coyotes, foxes, wild boar, alligators and other animals that call the maritime forest and wetlands home.
State: AL Length: 1.6 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Rattlesnake Ridge Trail is one of six in the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails network that run through one of Alabama's most popular parks, Gulf State Park on the Gulf of Mexico. At its western end, it connects to the others via the Twin Bridges Trail. The paved pathway begins behind the City Hall complex and travels southwest toward Little Lake through pine woods, scrub oaks and palmettos. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, such as deer, tortoises, armadillos and lizards in the dense undergrowth.
Rail-Trail
State: AL Length: 2 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Robertsdale Trail (a.k.a. Central Baldwin Rail-Trail) is a short linear route through the heart of Robertsdale that follows the former Louisville & Nashville Railroad line. While you won't find a formal trailhead facility or parking area, secure public parking is available at the main post office near the trail's northern terminus, on U.S. Highway 90, about a mile from the charming downtown. The city police department and county sheriff's office stand nearby. The trail is generally wide enough to accommodate its variety of users, though at several road crossings it narrows to a concrete sidewalk. At other points the trail splits, allowing users to move in opposite directions. Along these sections, trailside benches, landscaping and mature southern-type flora draw small gatherings of locals, lending to the trail's small-town feeling and sense of community. Pause for a meal or browse the shops in downtown Robertsdale during your return stroll through this delightful town.
The Rosemary Dunes Trail is one of six pathways in a network called Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails running through Gulf State Park in southern Alabama. The trail begins on Beach Road, just off a sandy white beach and the Gulf of Mexico. From there, it travels east through scenic natural habitats under the cover of tall pine trees. You may even see an alligator in the marshy areas! The trail ends at Campground Road, where you can connect to the other trails via the Catman Road Trail. At this end, you'll find restrooms, picnic areas and a seasonal butterfly garden.
State: MS Length: 22.8 miles Surface: Dirt
The Tuxachanie Trail, near Mississippi's Gulf Coast, is a National Recreation Trail offering a 22-mile hike through southern Mississippi's Desoto National Forest. The first 5 miles follow an old abandoned railroad that once served the sawmill of the Dantzler Lumber Company at Howison. Hikers will encounter a variety of forest vegetation; savannahs and swamps lie between the ridges. Here, pitcher plants and palmettos grow in abundance, as well as the occasional wild orchid. Timbered ridges of longleaf and slash pine add to the scenery. Overnight primitive camping is permitted, but campsites must be 100 feet away from the trail to preserve its natural character. Drinking water and restrooms are not provided along the trail but can be found at Airey Lake Recreation Area. While this trail is designated for foot travel only, there is a short section that is used in conjunction with the Big Foot Horse Trail. No motorized vehicles are allowed. The first 1/4 mile of trail from US 49 has a hard-packed surface, allowing for wheelchair accessibility; however, there are some some roots.
State: AL Length: 0.9 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Twin Bridges Trail is only a mile long, but offers a tranquil journey through part of Gulf State Park in southern Alabama. At its northern end, it connects to the 3-mile Gulf Oak Ridge Trail and, at its southern end, joins the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail and Catman Road Trail. The paved route makes its way through dense forests abundant with wildlife and travels over scenic wooden bridges.