Paradise Pathways on Sanibel Island

By bike is the most intimate way to get to know Sanibel Island. 22 miles of paved bike paths/shared used path take you almost anywhere you want to go. They lead to shops, restaurants, points of interest, wildlife centers and beaches.

Many island resorts, hotels and motels have bicycles for guest use, plus there are public bike rental facilities on both islands. (In addition to solo bikes, they rent helmets and kiddy trailers.)

• Rabbit Road Trail: The Rabbit Road bike path runs behind homes and along a canal. If you go biking 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 its intersection with the Sanibel-Captiva Road path, you’ll find a drinking fountain.
• Wildlife Drive: The 4-mile one-way loop around J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, ending 3 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. 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.
• 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 bayfront homes, or turn left and follow a contorted shell road to an undiscovered place where old island collides with new.
• Middle Gulf Cemetery Route: East of Casa Ybel Road, the Middle Gulf Drive bike path leaves the roadside and takes you into backwoods. 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.
• Civic Core Circle: Use this paved trail to explore the sites on Dunlop/Wooster Roads. Visit the Library, Historical Village, BIG ARTS and City Hall. Use the crosswalk in front of the Sanibel Community Association to Periwinkle Way and bike parallel to Dunlop road just east of the Herb Strauss Theatre.

Other Walking/Biking trails on Sanibel. CLICK HERE to download a map of the trail on Sanibel.