Not well marked beginning. Bathroom was locked!

Okay for walking and Sunday riding. Not good route for training. Too many cross streets. Tree roots pushing up the asphalt.

Fairhope north to Daphne was one of the worse biking trails we have been on. Long inclines and descents on broken and dangerous sidewalk. Fast traffic prevented us from riding on the road-there is no bike lane. Fairhope South is a flatter option on sidewalk and some bike lanes. There’s always traffic.

We rode in the Gulf State Park and decided to add this to our adventure. It did have a few rough places but nothing to make you want avoid the trail. If was a pretty ride and there were several places to make pit stops!

This trail runs along the perimeter of the Brookley airport. It is quiet and secluded as it runs behind houses. Most riders extend it by riding along the bay road to the park. It has little to no traffic and is perfect for road bikes.

For the record, I live a couple of blocks from the trail on the northern end in Daphne. I have ridden the trail many times and twice all the way from Daphne to the end of County Road 1 south of Point Clear (around 25 miles one-way). It definitely has its share of positives and negatives. But if you come knowing what to expect, it can be a nice ride. The southern end has been lengthened it appears all the way from scenic 98 to Weeks Bay to the east, although I have not been on this section.

First of all, this is a very busy area for traffic. The trail runs right along scenic 98, along the shoulder of the road. In most places, it just replaced the sidewalk which was already there. The concrete was widened to 6 feet in these areas I suppose to qualify for the funds for a trail.

Most of the negative comments people have said is true. People will park on it, even though they are not supposed to. They leave their garbage cans on it. There are places where there may be short areas of sand or gravel across the trail to traverse. There are many street crossings, some very busy, depending on the time of day. Some places there are bad sections of concrete that need attention, but I have noticed most of these have been fixed. There are also a few significant hills, mostly near Alligator Alley, south of Montrose and north of Fairhope. South of Fairhope is fairly flat.

The trail is also very beautiful in many places, mostly around Montrose, Fairhope and Point Clear, with many large oak trees hanging over the road, nice views along the bay, rolling hills with nice bridges over the creeks. Also the trail runs right through the middle of Fairhope which has many interesting shops and restaurants. You might also want to check out the pier in Fairhope, which is one of the most photographed areas in the county. That is if you can make it back up the hill!

I think since this trail was first certified, the section from the USS Alabama Park to Alligator Alley in Daphne has been dropped since it was too dangerous riding across the bay on the shoulder of the causeway. It appears the official starting point is now at Alligator Alley since the mileage markers now begin at this point. If you do start your ride at this point, be forewarned. There is a steep 70 foot hill you will immediately have to deal with! Another option would be to start at Lott Park in Daphne and head south to avoid the hill and traffic.

This trail is used a lot by locals, so watch for walkers, runners and other bikers.

Also, just as a note, this trail is probably not best suited for a road bike, because of curbs and gutters, unless you ride from Fairhope south. There, it is mostly asphalt. I would recommend a hybrid bike instead.

Some interesting points along the trail include Alligator Alley, the United States Sports Academy, Bayfront Park, Village Point Park Preserve in Daphne, the tiny 1890 post office in Montrose, the floral clock, downtown Fairhope, the Fairhope Pier and Beach, the Grand Hotel in Point Clear and Weeks Bay Preserve.

The pavement is broken, heaved and in serious need of repacking. Our trails in Illinois are in better shape. On the trail today was sand, soil, broken glass, pine needles, grasses, horse manure, (I saw six horses on the paved trail yesterday, trash cans and parked vehicles. I’ve complained to police to no avail since it isn’t a priority. One truck pulled onto the trail in my path climbing an incline to retrieve his mail. There are no markings at intersections or to alert motorists to keep off of the trail. It would appear that the trail was built to say they have a trail but, they choose to not maintain it or do anything about violators. It’s a real shame and embarrassment.

Woke up by 0600. I ate 3 eggs with spinach, finished it with a nice up of coffee. I started trail by 0945. The route from the trail head to lake airey was good. Got to lake airey and had a 30 minute lunch. Got back on trail by 1200. The first few miles towards POW lake were flat and easy at about the 11.5 miles it will get dense but nothing hard. The trail will go from 4 feet wide to about a foot wide. After the 12 mile marker, just know you will need to hike about .7 miles untill POW.. It was a great trail and worth every step

I was raised in Alabama, what a shame that the State, County or City does nothing to improve this trail. Lots of people would love to ride or walk this but it appears the State nor the Local Government could care less about it.