Best hikes in Key West and Lower Keys

Where to hike and get away from it all in Key West and the Lower Keys? They are beautiful but they are not known for hikes and walking. If you want to get away from it all and go for a peaceful hike, where do you go?

Hikes in Key West

Difficult one as Key West is small, busy and built up.

Here are the my best hiking suggestions:

1. Fort Zachary Taylor and it's beach right by it

The beach gets really really busy but the Fort less so and there is a patch of ground between the fort and the ocean where it's a bit quieter. 

No formal trail so just wander around. 

The plus side is you get access to the ocean.

And there are view like this one - no this is not a postcard, I took this pic on Fort Zach beach today!...

For more information click here.

2.

Wander around old town Key West

Get off Duval and wander randomly or to a plan.

It's not deserted, but it's lovely.

Here some more ideas from me on this one - click here.

Best hikes within 1 hour drive of Key West

Best: Lower Sugarloaf Key

What: several miles long out and back dirt road (paved in parts). Closed to motor traffic so this is good.

Busy: Quiet

Where it is? 30 minutes drive from Key West. Come off Highway 1 at Sugarloaf Boulevard, drive a few miles down the road to a 90 degree right turn were the road becomes Old State Road 4a. You have reached the start of the walk. Park by the side of the road.

Trailhead: you'll see the barrier. Go through it and start walking.

Flat

Why is this good?

No card allowed. It's quiet so you can get away from the crowds, it's long (several miles), it's surrounded by water so you really get the mangrove experience. 

If you want a bonus after your hike: Keep driving along Start Road 4a - 2 miles until you get to Sammy Creek Landing. There is a picnic table.

Second choice

Horsehoe Beach, West Summerland Key, just before (nearer Key West) Bahia Honda Beach

What: paddle along a causeway into the ocean

Busy: medium - you won't be a lone!

Where? 1 hour drive from Key West.

Third choice:

Boca Chica Beach

What: 1 mile out and back with the ocean on the right and the air base on the right (not as bad as it sounds!)

Fourth choice:

more coming soon

The state parks parks along Middle Keys to Lower Keys

The parks are justifiably famous because of their amazing beauty. 

My first choice would be Bahia Honda State Park - good hiking along the beach trail. (Although the best walk is currently still closed because of Hurricane Irma in 2017)

Best - Bahia Honda state park and one of the most beautiful beaches in the USA – MM 37
2nd - Curry Hammock state park MM56.2. This is quieter and much smaller than Bahia and has, over the years, become my favorite stop.

For more information on both - click here.

Crazy idea - go to even smaller island than Key West to hike!

Go 70 miles on a boat to Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas.

Hiking around the island / fort is fun.

More here.