The Backcountry Trail: Nature Escape in Orange Beach

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a multi-use trail system that provides an immersive experience in the diverse ecosystems of Alabama's Gulf Coast [5, 7]. Named after Hugh S. Branyon, a former Gulf State Park Superintendent, the trail system has been recognized as one of the top recreational trails in the United States [3, 5, 13]. The trail spans over 28 miles and consists of multiple interconnected trails, each offering unique landscapes and attractions [5, 7]. Visitors can explore nine distinct ecosystems, including longleaf sand ridges, coastal dunes, live oak maritime forests, pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, and coastal hardwood swamps [5]. The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, deer, bobcats, and various bird species [6]. Keep an eye out for Lefty, a resident alligator known for her missing front leg, often seen basking near the Rosemary Dunes Trail [3, 8, 9, 11]. Originally used by indigenous peoples, explorers, and settlers, the trail has evolved from hunting paths and logging roads into a premier recreational destination [7, 8]. The first section of the trail was established in 2003, and it has steadily expanded to connect Gulf Shores and Orange Beach [4, 5]. Today, the trail offers accessible trailheads, restrooms, water fountains, and rest areas [5].