Walk & Bike · Guide
Eastern Shore Trail Guide
A bayfront chain of sidewalks, paths and boardwalks links Daphne, Fairhope and Point Clear, with hills in Montrose and a flat run south of the pier.
Photo: dmtilley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
The Eastern Shore Trail is a walking and biking route of roughly 22 to 25 miles along the east side of Mobile Bay, running from Interstate 10 in Daphne through Montrose, Fairhope and Point Clear to Weeks Bay. It is not one continuous greenway but a linked chain of sidewalks, asphalt paths, boardwalks and shared road segments, so knowing where to start matters.
Route and length
The trail begins near Gator Alley and the Gator Boardwalk at I-10 in Daphne, follows US 98 and Scenic 98 south through Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Battles Wharf and Point Clear, and ends at Weeks Bay near the mouth of Fish River. Sources list different totals: the National Recreation Trails database gives 22 miles, TrailLink 23.4 miles, and Baldwin County has been building an extension toward Magnolia Springs that would bring the finished route to nearly 25 miles. Treat any single number as approximate and check the current map before a long ride.
The trail is a project of the Baldwin County Trailblazers, a volunteer group whose construction began in 1998 in Olde Towne Daphne. It was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010. Its official description calls it a varied-surface trail for pedestrians and slow bikes: concrete sidewalks and asphalt, elevated boardwalks and low bridges, with some stretches on shared road. Leashed dogs are allowed.
The best stretches
North of Fairhope, the Montrose section has moderate hills and some of the prettiest old bayfront streets on the route. The trail passes through Olde Towne Daphne, then winds into downtown Fairhope past the Fairhope Flower Clock, the Fairhope Colony Cemetery and the Fairhope Municipal Pier, where the bay views open up.
South of the pier the trail is mostly flat. It weaves through Battles Wharf toward the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, a long-standing landmark, and continues past Mullet Point Park on the bay before reaching Weeks Bay. This southern half suits riders who want an easy, steady pace; most segments are suitable for riders of all ages and abilities.
Parking, safety and comfort
Common places to park and start, as listed by the Trailblazers, include:
- Daphne: the Gator Boardwalk, or Village Point Park Preserve for a ride heading south
- Fairhope: the Fairhope Pier area and the downtown parking deck on Section Street
- Barnwell: Mullet Point Park, 13201 County Road 1
- Weeks Bay: the Fish River boat ramp on US 98
The trail is shared by runners, walkers and casual cyclists, so ride at a relaxed speed, pass on the left with a spoken or bell warning, and keep dogs close. Because much of the route follows busy highways and crosses side streets and driveways, cross only at marked locations and watch for turning cars. Where the trail runs on a road shoulder, cyclists are part of traffic and should ride with it.
Amenities are limited: kiosks stand along the route, but water fountains and restrooms are not guaranteed between towns. In the humid Gulf Coast summer, go early in the morning or near sunset, carry more water than you think you need, and plan short hops between shady downtowns rather than one long exposed ride. Routes, parking and construction change over time, so check the Baldwin County Trailblazers map and the city websites of Daphne and Fairhope before heading out.
General information, checked against the sources below at the time of writing. Rules, fees, schedules and programs change; confirm with the official source before you rely on them.
