Trails to Explore

In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Free Trail Guides & Maps at Our Welcome Centers

The Alabama Gulf Coast is home to many unique trail systems. Whether by foot, bike, paddleboard, kayak or motorcycle, there is a trail for everyone to experience in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. To pick your perfect trail, choose from one of the options on the right. You might want to tackle them all next time you vacation along our sugar-white sand beaches.

Three Types Trails on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Kayaking
Paddling

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer serene waterways that take paddlers through various landscapes including Cypress swamps, lakes and brackish back bays. On the Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway, you have four distinct trails with 21 launch sites. These trails span all across the island from Fort Morgan through Gulf Shores to the Alabama/Florida line in Orange Beach.

Hiking
Hiking

From unspoiled beauty at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to the 28+ miles of trails throughout the Gulf State Park, you have plenty of terrain to hike when visiting Alabama’s beaches. Our destination offers unique wildlife and ecosystems that make even the shortest hike filled with natural wonders rarely seen in other parts of the country.

Birding
Birding 

The Alabama Gulf Coast welcome hundreds of migratory bird species throughout the year making our area a haven for birding enthusiasts. In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are several prime locations along the Coastal Alabama Birding Trail where you can see a host of bird species. You can also take a quick drive to a few surrounding cities for other amazing birding experiences.

Trip Planning Resources

Your journey to Alabama's Beaches begins here.