Self Guided Island Tours:  Hiking and Biking

 

There are limited guided tours available during the winter and spring seasons, but that doesn't mean that you can't go explore the island on your own!  You'll need to arrange your own transportation to the island from the mainland and back (either in your own boat or kayak or with the commercial service listed on this page)  Once you are on the island here are a few ideas for exploring on foot or bike.

 

Over 90 miles of roads were built on the island, but many have been converted to fire breaks. There are roads with oyster shell beds available for biking and many other roads/trails are accessible by foot. Oyster shells make for an arduous biking trip so only the fit should consider it and remember to take plenty of water with you. The refuge map included in the brochure that can be picked up at the Indian Pass boat ramp kiosk shows details of the road/trail system for your convenience. Most of the biking roads and hiking trails are inland, so bikers and hikers should be prepared for biting insects in dense but beautiful forests.

 

PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN VISITING THE ISLAND

There are biting insects, alligators and some venomous snakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EASY:  From Indian Pass boat house go toward the point (Gulf side).                                        

PLEASE DO NOT WALK ON THE POINT. IT IS CLOSED FOR NESTING SEA & SHORE BIRDS

• Take the beach trail over to the Gulf side of the island. Have a pleasant walk on the beach

• Cut back over to Indian Pass via 0 Road (sign in dunes). Follow to the end of 0 Road and take a left on B Road which will bring you back to the boat house across from Indian Pass.  Young children can do this hike if they are used to walking

 

MODERATE:  Start same route as Easy hike

• Keep going past 0 Road for as long as you want; then, turn around and head back to Indian Pass on 0 Road

• Take B Road eastward to Road 1 , walk to Road A , turn westward and walk back to Road 0, turn south on 0 , turn westward on beach to symbolic fencing and turn north toward Indian Pass side of the island. Road 1 may be wet and boggy. Total walk about 3 miles.

 

INTENSE:  NOT PASSABLE AT THIS TIME

• From Indian Pass hike down B Road to 2 Road. Turn left

• Continue walking to E Road and take a right

• Continue hiking as long as you want. Take a right on Road 3 or 4 and hike to the beach

• Turn right on beach and head back toward Indian Pass. Return via 0 Road to B or the beach path

 

MARATHON: Walk down the entire length of beach to West Pass (~ 9 miles)

• Hike back on any of the roads. Some may not be passable.E Road will take you past the lakes and most likely a few alligators. B Road is the easiest/straight path back to Indian Pass.

 

 

Biking is only possible (mountain bike terrain) on B road,  but may be flooded or only partially passable past Road 4.

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