Explore the best rated trails in Fairhope, AL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail and Fort Morgan Road Trail. With more than 14 trails covering 61 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
A nicely wide paved trail that essentially takes you around one side of Gulf State Park.
While camping in the area we jumped on Fort Morgan Road Trail a few times. First time was just to ride it. The numerous stop signs, if bikers adhere to them, breaks up the potential for 'racing' but there are stretches of the trail where you can just coast and let the wind hit your face. Each trip thereafter on the trial we would be on a journey for geocaching. This trail leads you right into the Gulf State Park trails as well.
The trail was in good shape and I grabbed some of the geocaches along the way. Coming back to town I had a little headwind but wasn’t to bad.
My wife and I rode from Daphne to Fairhope and back, 18 miles on Sunday morning. The area is beautiful and very friendly. The trail… it is at best a sidewalk! In some areas, additional width has been added but in doing so has significant space creating very real hazards to road bikes! The path cross every driveway, has poor transitions from the path to road crossing. It is to narrow to deal with oncoming walked or joggers. It is impossible ride at a comfortable pace, so after about three miles, we got of the trail and rode in the roadway.
Came over to the area for a job I needed to do on Sunday and Monday. Got here early on Sunday and after reading reviews and knowing the area we started in Fairhope and rode south. Nice path for leisurely riding. Only one at a time though so can’t visit with others. Nice and shady but best for fat tires. Some rough patches and a few spots missing pavement but not bad. Enjoyed it.
Five stars? Really? Okay, for the walkers and joggers in town, I can see five stars. For us folks on bikes, not so much,
On an absolutely perfect spring morning in late March, we started from the west trailhead where we were greeted by pristine white sand and a beautiful great blue heron. After that, for the next seven full miles, it was all downhill (figuratively, not literally). The first seven miles is essentially a poorly maintained asphalt sidewalk which crosses a multitude of hotel, restaurant, resort, and rental property driveways. In addition, there are an extreme amount of streets to cross. Again, fine and dandy for the huge numbers of pedestrians on Spring Break on the Redneck Riviera, not so great as you pedal along on high alert for two tons of steel possibly veering your way.
The Fort Pickens Road parking lot at the western trailhead has restrooms and beach access to the amazing white sand and rolling breakers, but once on the official Pensacola Beach Trail through town there's very little to see but hotels and businesses. After a few miles you reach the Highway 399 portion the trail parallels, but once you finally leave the business district it's then miles of homes and still no gulf views.
Finally, after passing the Portofino Resort, no more driveways or cross streets, nothing but white sand dunes on both sides of the trail with views of Santa Rosa Sound and occasional glimpses of the gulf. Unfortunately, the trail quality doesn't get any better for us bike riders, but at least your head doesn't have to be on a swivel to avoid being run over.
The payoff is reaching the eastern terminus of the trail. Be sure to cross the highway and soak in the natural beauty and tranquility. The beach was pretty much deserted since there are no homes, resorts, or parking lots at that spot. We had the beach all to ourselves! It was just us, the immaculate white sand, gentle waves, and yet another great blue heron!
For bicyclists, seven-ninths of the trail in my opinion is below average; two-ninths of it is pretty cool!
For walkers and people getting around town, 100% great.
SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT: On the way back to town, we turned onto Avenida 22 toward Santa Rosa Sound to avoid the hustle and bustle of Highway 399. We enjoyed marvelous views of the sound and amazing homes on quiet residential streets for a mile or two before being forced back onto the trail and the commotion along Highway 399.
This is the trail to take in Gulf State Park to see a gator or two! This is the typically flat, smooth, tree lined path in the park full of friendly folks, but one of the especially fun parts is getting to it via a long, wooden bridge on the Cross Park Trail. The bridge crosses over a waterway connecting Little Lake to Middle Lake and provides opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Rattlesnake Ridge Trail is another short link in the awesome chain of Gulf State Park trails. Not quite as shady or busy as its parallel sister trail Catman Road, it nonetheless has its own charm with its twists, turns, trees, benches and swing. Don't skip this one!
A typically perfect Gulf State Park trail. Flat, smooth, picturesque, woodsy, and tree lined with plenty of extremely friendly walkers and bicyclists. Enjoy the views of the majestic pines and Little Lake.
Twin Bridges is essentially an extension of the Gulf Oak Ridge Trail. As a first time Gulf State Park rider, I didn't even realize I was on a "different" trail until I came to its conclusion at the junction of it with Catman Road Trail and Rattlesnake Ridge Trail and saw the signs. I guess I should have known since I crossed two bridges, eh? Anyway, the "twin" bridges make the short, curvy, tree lined path a typically enjoyable Gulf State Park trail experience, especially when combined with all of the other miles of trails in the park!
Of all the trails in Gulf State Park, this was my favorite. An easy, gradual climb from the trailhead provides a spectacular view from an awesome viewing platform at the ridge's summit! The well maintained trail is fun to ride as it gently meanders through the woodlands. Benches and swings are plentiful along the tree lined trail to give one an opportunity to relax and enjoy the serenity of this path. Be sure to appreciate the variety of trees and the Spanish moss growing in some of them.
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