Skill Level:

Beginner This trail allows a cyclist to easily navigate a scenic, medium-distance ride with minimal concern with on-road traffic. The trail is essentially a wide two-way bike/pedestrian path that runs on one side of US 98A. The portion that is on the Battleship Parkway (US 98) follows the shoulder into Spanish Fort. The shoulder can be littered with debris that can cut a tire, so it is recommended to carry spare tubes and a pump if riding this section. The rest of the trail is otherwise fairly clean. A few portions of the trail are incomplete or cross over the main road. Though side-road traffic must stop for trail traffic, due dilligence is required at all times crossing side streets.

More advanced or faster riders would probably be more comfortable riding on Scenic 98A to avoid pedestrian and side-road traffic conflicts. The traffic load on US 98A is moderate except during peak morning and afternoon commute times. 

Route Info:

The Eastern Shore Trail is a dedicated pedestrian/cycling path that runs from the USS Alabama along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to Mullet Point, 4.5 miles south of Point Clear. The trail runs nearly the entire length of scenic US 98A through the towns of Daphne and Fairhope for a total of 24 miles, oneway. It is an excellent opportunity for casual, beginner, or simply, unsure cyclists to enjoy views of the bay and experience a pleasant town-to-town ride with a minimum of on-road riding. The trail passes through the pleasant downtowns of Daphne and Fairhope, with ample dining and touring side trips. Five prime birding sites are along the trail as well. 

Variations:

Any point along the trail is suitable as a start location. 

Features:

• Gator Alley – This recently completed section is the first pedestrian/bikeway beneath the busy US 90/98 intersection and I-10 and is the most important link of the entire trail. It connects the southern part of the trail to Spanish Fort and the Battleship Parkway. It allows cyclists to avoid the busy I-10/US 98 interchange by routing the trail on boardwalks over D'Olive Creek from North Main Street in Daphne to US 98 (Old Spanish Trail) on the other side of I-10 in Spanish Fort. For years this has been a big bottleneck preventing cyclists from comfortably crossing the freeway from either Mobile on the Battleship Parkway or Spanish Fort to southern Baldwin County.
• Birding – There are five prime bird-watching areas along the trail: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Wildlife Management Area, Meaher State Park, city of Fairhope and Weeks Bay Estuary Reserve on 98/98A.
• Daphne – A very pleasant downtown with a nice park, W.O. Lott Park, and rest stop on Scenic 98A. This is a good location to park and begin riding.
• Fairhope – Another fine small town for a rest stop before beginning the last few miles of the trail down to Mullet Point. Both the Fairhope Pier and the City of Fairhope Welcome Center are good places to begin a ride.

 

Afterward:

Fairhope and Daphne offer an ample section of dining opportunities directly on the trail.

• Guido's Italian Restaurant/Uncle Vinny's Pizza - 1709 Main Street, Daphne
• Eastern Shore Cafe - 1506 Main Street, Daphne
• The Coffee Loft - 503 North Section Street (between Perdido and Grand avenues on the west side of the street), Fairhope, 251-929-2299
• Papa's Pizza - 2004 "Baldwin's Best Pizza" 300 Fairhope Avenue (west of Section Street), Fairhope, 251-990-9600
• Andree's - Breakfast, lunch (sandwiches and soup) and early dinner. 403 Fairhope Avenue (East of Section Street), Fairhope, 800-239-3077, 251-928-8863
• Ben's Original Barbeque - Pork and chicken BBQ, shrimp, catfish. 552 North Section Street (Corner of Pensacola Avenue and Section Street), Fairhope, 251-928-1211

 

Notes:

• Gator Alley – The pedestrian/bicycle crossing at US 98/Old Spanish Trail is not yet complete as it emerges from the new Gator Alley underpass across from the Spanish Fort Park. Trail users wishing to exit the trail and head west towards Mobile must first turn right (east) onto US 98 and ride a few hundred feet towards the light. At the light, perform a U-turn and head back west towards the Battleship Parkway. Caution must be excercised when crossing this road.
• Baldwin County Trailblazers – Fairhope is the home of the Baldwin County Trailblazers (thetrailblazers.org) nonprofit trail-building organization. Under the direction of Teko Wiseman, the Trailblazers have been very successful at securing grants and developing the Eastern Shore cycling and walking path from the Battleship Causway along the entire length of Scenic 98 almost all the way to Mullet Point. Work is ongoing and there are still a few short missing links. However, the trail makes it posible for casual, occasional or inexperienced cyclists to safely and confidently ride the length of the eastern shore from Spanish Fort to Mullet Point. The most significant recent addition is the completion of the Gator Alley boardwalk and underpass for I-10. It is now possible to cycle from the Battleship USS Alabama Memorial Park on the Battleship Parkway/US 90 all the way to Daphne and points south. The long-term plan of the Trailblazers is to work with county and city authorities to create a county-wide bike path, bike route and walking path network.
• USS Alabama – The USS Alabama Memorial Park was heavily damaged by a 14-foot storm surge during Hurricane Katrina. As of mid-November 2005, the park reported that there was no confirmed opening date. Opening is pending the righting of the ship from a storm-induced list and reconstruction of its concrete gangway. The Aircraft Pavilion and Entrance Building are undergoing reconstruction as of mid-November. Before visiting the park, call 1-800-GANGWAY (800-426-4929) or visit www.ussalabama.com for up-to-date information.

For more info:

None

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Baldwin County Trailblazers

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
thetrailblazers.org

Baldwin Welcome Center

Street Address:
P.O. Box 2000
Robertsdale, AL 36567
Phone#:(251) 946-3375

Bicycles of Mobile, Inc.

Street Address:
4258 Cottage Hill Road
Mobile, AL 36609
Phone#:(251) 666-3700

Cadence 120 Bicycle Works

Street Address:
5558 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36608
Phone#:(251) 344-7435
cadence120.com

Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Fairhope

Street Address:
327 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone#:(251) 928-6387
www.ESchamber.com

Eastern Shore Schwinn

Street Address:
6845 Hwy. 90, Suite 102
Daphne, AL 36526
Phone#:(251) 626-0079

Grand Bay Welcome Center

Street Address:
P.O. Drawer 626
Grand Bay, AL 36541
Phone#:(251) 865-4741

Just Ridin'

Street Address:
915 Hillcrest Road
Mobile, AL 36695

Local Ride Information

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
members.aol.com/Carotop111/road.html

Spoke N Trail Inc.

Street Address:
4453 Old Shell Road
Mobile, AL 36608
Phone#:(251) 341-1712

Springhill Schwinn Cyclery

Street Address:
4260 Panorama Boulevard
Mobile, AL 36609

The Bicycle Shop

Street Address:
661 Daupin Street
Mobile, AL 36602

West Florida Wheelmen

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.wfw-pensacola.com