Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Hiking

The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is a great vacation choice for hikers and nature lovers. Not only do you get to enjoy the obvious perks of the ocean and white sand beaches, but you can also hike or bike a variety of beautiful nature trails that cover the diverse habitats of Alabama's coastal region. Get your exercise in while on vacation, and enjoy sightings of a variety of animal species, including alligators and bobcats.

Bon Secour Trails

The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, located on the east end of Little Lagoon off of Fort Morgan Road, not far from any of our Gulf Shores condos or Orange Beach rentals, has four hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Enjoy views of the lagoon and sandy trails that allow you to explore both sand dune and maritime forest ecosystems. Pine Beach Trail, one of the two-mile trails, covers dunes, maritime forest and scrub habitats with a saltwater lagoon on one side and a freshwater lake on the other. Another trail called the Jeff Friend Trail is a circular, wheelchair accessible path that covers a distance of one mile. On this trail the hiker can view different bird and plant species. See the website for more details.

Gulf State Park Trails

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail System is the newest and most breathtaking Gulf Shores hiking trail. It is an interconnected trail system that covers a total of 13.5 miles winding through the Alabama coastal countryside. Most of the trail system passes through the Gulf State Park, encompassing a variety of ecosystems and habitats. In addition to glimpsing wildlife, hikers will pass through a variety of vegetation including tall pines, mossy oaks, cattails, and wildflowers. The trails are paved and can be used for biking and skating as well as hiking.

There are six trails total that make up the Backcountry Trail system, and each of them offers a unique experience to the adventurers hiking in Alabama. On the Rosemary Dunes trail, passersby can spot the infamous American alligator basking in the sunlight as well as turtles and other reptiles. The Gulf Oak Ridge trail rises 34 feet above sea level giving a view of the valley below. This trail is a designated stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. On the Twin Bridges Trail, spot a fox or even a coyote. Other animals that can be spotted on a hike through the Backcountry Trails include armadillos, snakes, bobcats, and a variety of birds. Facilities that are found near the area where all the trails intersect include a pavilion with picnic areas, restrooms, and the butterfly garden.

Dauphin Island/Audubon Bird Sanctuary Trails

Dauphin Island itself is a good place for hiking and biking, but the Audubon Bird Sanctuary Trail System is a great place for nature hikes. It is comprised of six short Alabama hiking trails totaling 4.3 miles. The Lake Loop Trail is handicap accessible and passes through a maritime forest ecosystem with views of Lake Gailliard where turtles and alligators can be spotted. The other trails pass through dunes, pine forests, and swamp ecosystems where a variety of birds can be found. Dauphin Island is one of the top four locations in North America for bird watching.

Book a trip to our Gulf Shores rentals and Orange Beach condos and stretch your legs in the beautiful coastal outdoors! Contact us today to make your reservation.