Find the top rated birding trails in Villas, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This long concrete path links Bokeelia in the north, to St James City in the south of Pine Island.
Yes, it can be somewhat boring, due to lack of buffer landscaping and rest areas along the busy main road, Stringfellow. However, just off the path are some truly unique sights: such as the historically-significant Calusa homeland, Pineland (extinct indigenous peoples of southwest Florida), and beautiful conservation areas, like Galt Preserve.
Off-path side roads are flat, quiet and welcoming for bicyclists, especially beginning north of Harbor Drive-Pineland, keeping west and north. Don't be afraid to venture off the concrete, but bring plenty of drinking water and snacks.
Great photo opps: Bokeelia fishing pier, Pineland Marina pier, Calusa shell mounds, Randall Research Center.
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Note: locally, bicyclists and residents have been asking Lee County, FL to reduce speed on Stringfellow to 45 mph. In the meantime, use caution when crossing Stringfellow Road.
Of interest to mountain bike and dirt riders: numerous dirt-sand roads crisscross Pine Island's many palm plantations. Some, but not all of these roads, are public property. Consult local maps for the best guides, available at Pine Island Library, Russell Road.
A good portion of this relatively short bike path runs along the main road which is shared by bicycles and golf carts. Once your reach the lighthouse and town center, the scenery improves and there are options for dining and refreshments. You can take the Cape Haze Trail to the causeway onto the island, but be prepared to pay a hefty $3.00 per bicycle toll to cross over.
This is a poor excuse for not providing a decent bike lane on the two lane road that was just re-paved and could easily have included a bike lane on each side. The "bike path" is overgrown and hazardous if you are on a road bike. I used the road and had vehicles blaring horns to move but nowhere to go.
This is A SLOG! Sidewalk along a two lane highway, 50 mph traffic. Few houses. No businesses. No shade no interest. Avoid it if you can.
You can get to this trail from downtown Ft. Myers city via Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. and Metro Parkway. Just about every type of wetland and aquatic bird in FL can be see along the way; Herons, Ibises, Aningas, Red-Tail Hawks, Ospreys, Spoonbills, Swallow-tail Kites, Turkey and Black Vultures, and an occasional Bald Eagle pair. Lots of snakes, beware of Moccasains (!). I even saw a young Lynx there! Pretty decent fishing when the water level is up, too! Gar, Tilapia, even some Trout below the dam. Oh, yeah, Alligators, a few big ones.
We are novice bikers and thoroughly enjoy the fact that we don’t have to interact with traffic. Plenty of benches to take a break. Rest rooms also available. You will be surrounded by nature. Great place to meet interesting people.
Started from the train depot. Avaiable restrooms always a plus. Nice level concrete trail on the east side, but like previous reviews, completely open so maybe not so good on hot days. However, after crossing the bridge to the west side, there are no signs as to how to get on and follow the trail to Casperen beach. Also, be nice if the map showed the location of the bridge.
This is a great trail for all levels. I moved here recently from Boston and it’s 2min from my house. I recommend it to anyone out for a leisurely ride or walk.
Great trail. This is a well maintained asphalt and wooden boardwalk type trail. It's great that people can walk their dogs along this trail. We didn't see any wildlife, but the walk was invigorating and beautiful!
Had a lot of fun biking around the island, lots of great place to stop and check out!!! Highly recommend for the casual rider, I got about 19 miles in, island is only 8 miles long. So more of a scenic and exploring ride than a ride to get a lot of miles in
This is a nice paved trail that allows you to pedal (or walk) along part of the intercoastal. Seems odd to pedal and wave at passing boats, but there you go.
INSIDER INFO:
1) Saturday mornings there's a street market near Michael Biehl park where you can take your wife to buy produce, plants, or whatever makes her happy. They close about noon I think.
2) The trail goes under a few overpasses, giving you some shelter if you get caught in a drizzle/rain event.
3) You almost certainly will see small planes (today a Lear jet) take off and land at the adjacent airport.
4) The trail ends at the beach if you want to take a dip before going back.
5) No hills- easy-peasy trail.
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