| Rabbit
Road Trail
The Rabbit Road path runs behind some homes and along a canal. If you go
early in the morning, you're likely to see plenty of the small gray marsh
rabbits that give the road its name. Wading herons and alligator snouts
are other common sightings along the quiet one mile stretch between West
Gulf Drive and Sanibel-Captiva road. Near it's intersection with the
Sanibel-Captiva path, you'll find a drinking fountain.
Dixie
Beach Road
This long, straight, easy stretch of 1.5 miles takes you from Periwinkle
Way, near Heart of the Islands shopping center, to San Carlos Bay. Where
the road meets the Bay, you can turn right and gaze at beautiful Bay front
homes, or turn left and follow a contorted shell road to an undiscovered
place where old island collides with new. |
Wildlife
Drive
Paved with shell and hard-packed sand, this route is a bit rough,
especially for skinny biked tires. It's a four mile loop around J.N.
"Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, ending three miles
north of the starting point on Sanibel-Captiva Road. Along the way, you
can stop and hike into the refuge on short trails or climb the bird
observation tower. Avoid the road at sunset, when abundant car traffic
will kick up dust. Bicyclists must pay $1.00 per person over the age of
16, (free for children 15 years and under), to enter the refuge Wildlife
Drive.
Middle
Gulf Cemetery Route
East of Casa Ybel Road, the Middle Gulf Drive bike path leaves the
roadside and takes you into the back woods. Here you'll find Sanibel's
pioneer cemetery, which is not accessible by car. The path continues over
the river and off-road to the beach at Gulfside Park. |
