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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.
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.
After reading the reviews on the north section, parked at Fairhope pier and road north. If you can tolerate the first 1.5 miles of narrow trail next to the road and some pedestrians who do not move to one side to allow bikes to pass, the trail does widen and can see the bay.
Hard to rate as a bike trail because this was nothing more than broken up sidewalk with deep craters and curbs. Lots of trip hazards for pedestrians and not ADA compliant. We aborted after 7 miles and the only other biker we saw was on the road risking his like without a shoulder. Hopefully the local communities can take a look at how improvements to the trail system results in huge economic benefits. One example is the Pinellas trail Tarpon Springs to St Pete FL.
This bike trail starts at Navarre Beach Park and meanders along Gulf Blvd. it was a pleasant ride (one way) and a windy ride back! Thoroughly enjoyed looking at all of the nice houses with the Gulf behind them. It is a shared walk/ bike trail and the walkers were reluctant to move over.
This bike trail provides a wonderful way to explore the quaint coastal life of Navarre Beach. I parked at the Navarre Beach Marine Park on the 1st clear day after Hurricane Ida. Sand had blown across the trail in some places but I was pleasantly surprised to see a crew blowing the sand off the trail (well maintained).
Lovely scenery. Intimate view of coastal community. Locals friendly to bikers. Fun, breezy, delightful ride with easy access to beach and Sound.
Except for a few improved bridges the trail is still in same poor condition as described on the previous reviews. In addition, as of yesterday there was a road closure and detour just as you start to get into Fairhope. The detour takes you onto a skinny sidewalk along a busy road. We chose to turn around at that point and return to our vehicle parked at a gas station in Daphne. We would recommend 1) reading all these reviews first and 2) using public transportation to return to Daphne if you DO manage to get to Fairhope. Fairhope is a lovely destination but this trail is not for a casual cyclist on a cruiser. We have very good bikes and lots of experience and found it to be just plain dangerous.
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