Review
Intro
The two mile plus paved trail is shaded for over half of the route. The parking lot off of Orange Beach Boulevard is convenient and provides a picnic pavilion. From here, a city walkway and bike path connects all the way to the beach. The trail is also accessible via the Gulf State Park campgrounds road making it a great choice to tour the rest of the Backcountry Trail system which links with Cotton Bayou, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Rosemary Dunes in a hub near the butterfly garden and Boulder Park.
As with the other trails in the Backcountry Trail system, bathrooms, water fountains, and pet water stations are among the amenities provided.
What Makes It Great
Shrouded by mystery and legends of a catman running wild along the shores and backwoods of primitive Pleasure Island, the Catman Road Trail is a fascinating hike for the imagination. On quiet days, any rustling of the trees or movement in the blanket of undergrowth, gets the heart pumping.
Who is Going to Love It
The paved level trail is wide to accommodate traffic both ways which is a necessity due to its popularity among cyclist as well as hikers.
The trail changes from dense maritime forests to marshy ponds and wetlands. Near the center of the trail, green tickets quickly change to coastal dunes. Various protected species can be found along the trail.
Directions, Parking, & Regulations
There are no fees and the trail is open only during daylight hours.
Directions for the Catman Road Trail begins from the intersection of AL 59 South and AL 182 East Beach Blvd. Traveling 6.4 miles eastward on Al 182 East Beach Blvd., turn left onto AL 161 N, Alabama’s Coastal Connection/Orange Beach Blvd. Parking lot for the Catman Road Trail is 0.9 miles on the left.
