Sanibel Island Bike Trails

Activities > Biking > Bike Trails

Sanibel Island has over 26 miles of paved bike trails that cover almost the entire island. Remember when biking to observe the rules of the biking road: Heed all stop signs, keep right and pass on the left after a signal or verbal warning, observe all traffic laws and signs. Bikes are not permitted on the beaches. Children under the age of sixteen must wear a helmet. Below is a list of bike trails that will take you to different parts of Sanibel Island. Remember when biking to wear sunblock, wear a hat, bring a t-shirt or some type of covering and have plenty of water with you (especially during the summer months) and maybe a snack if you are traveling/biking a long distance.

Wildlife Drive
Located in the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, this trail will take you on a five mile bike ride. The road is made of crushed shells and compacted sand, thick tires on your bike will probably be the best bet when riding on this road. Keep in mind you will exit this road four miles North of where you entered. Bicyclists pay $1.00 for their entry fee.

Dixie Beach Road
One of the easier bike trails to ride. Begin at Periwinkle Way, adjacent to the Heart of the Islands Shopping Center and go to San Carlos Bay, it will be a 1.5 mile ride. The road will meet the bay.

Rabbit Road Trail
This one mile stretch is between West Gulf Drive and Sanibel-Captiva Road. It meanders thru homes and along a canal. You may see brown marsh rabbits early in the morning along this route. The marsh rabbits being the namesake of this road.

Middle Gulf Cemetery Route
This Middle Gulf Drive bike path takes you into the backwoods and away from the roadside trails. It will take you near the Sanibel pioneer's cemetery that is not accessible by car. This path will continue over the river and off road until you reach the beach at Gulfside City Park.

Periwinkle Way
The main road of Sanibel Island has bike trails from one end to the other. Be careful on this stretch of trail as the traffic is heavy and sometimes it is difficult for cars to see you. This route is the best for stopping to eat lunch and easiest for bikers to pick up a drink or snack during their excursion. The video below shows some of the bike trails on Sanibel Island. You'll see a few of my favorite places among the 26 miles of bike paths you can ride while on the island.



Sanibel Island Activities