Branyon Backcountry Trail: short Catman paved return
Alabama · Greenway
From the Catman Road public trailhead, follow signs west onto the paved Catman Trail. Ride up to one mile outward and retrace. Stay on Catman rather than taking Rattlesnake Ridge, Cotton Bayou or natural-surface branches; shorten the ride at barriers or unsuitable tread.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Orange Beach · Alabama
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Paved Catman Trail
- Road crossings
- From the Catman Road public trailhead, follow signs west onto the paved Catman Trail. Ride up to one mile outward and retrace. Stay on Catman rather than taking Rattlesnake Ridge, Cotton Bayou or natural-surface branches; shorten the ride at barriers or unsuitable tread.
- Elevation
- Short coastal outing with bends and possible bridge approaches; no measured maximum slope.
- Starting location
- Catman Road Trailhead, 3801 Orange Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL
Chosen cap of 1 mile(s) outward and the same distance back; a named early turnaround or barrier shortens it. This is not a measured full segment. The parking/access walk is extra.
Approximate named facility/access-area reference. Use the written public start and designated parking signs.
Branyon Backcountry Trail: short Catman paved return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-21. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
From the Catman Road public trailhead, follow signs west onto the paved Catman Trail. Ride up to one mile outward and retrace. Stay on Catman rather than taking Rattlesnake Ridge, Cotton Bayou or natural-surface branches; shorten the ride at barriers or unsuitable tread.
Start and parking approach
Start: Catman Road Trailhead, 3801 Orange Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL.
Use the designated Catman Road trailhead parking and walk the bicycle from the lot to the signed path. Do not park on Highway 161 or cross it to reach the beach.
Distance and route
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Chosen cap of 1 mile(s) outward and the same distance back; a named early turnaround or barrier shortens it. This is not a measured full segment. The parking/access walk is extra.
From the Catman Road public trailhead, follow signs west onto the paved Catman Trail. Ride up to one mile outward and retrace. Stay on Catman rather than taking Rattlesnake Ridge, Cotton Bayou or natural-surface branches; shorten the ride at barriers or unsuitable tread.
Surface and effort
Paved Catman Trail. Short coastal outing with bends and possible bridge approaches; no measured maximum slope. No surveyed maximum slope or accessibility certification is supplied.
Shared use and interfaces
Yield to people walking, slow at blind bends and junctions, and walk uncomfortable ramps or bridges. Follow the public shared-use path rather than service roads, activity courses or private land. Do not improvise a road detour around a closure. The selected distance excludes parking aisles and other connecting walks.
Hours, costs and current access
Daylight only; obey the posted 10 mph limit. The city prohibits golf carts, scooters and class 3 e-bikes. Foundation FAQ says trail use and trailhead parking are free; beach parking has separate terms.
Reviewed October 21, 2026. The city’s October 16 post-storm guidance invites use of the Backcountry Trails, and the foundation identifies Catman as paved. This supports a short initial outing, not confirmation that every park bridge or trail has reopened. Follow current barriers and do not enter damaged or flooded sections.
Map reference
The marker is a labeled planning reference, not a surveyed bicycle entrance, parking stall or navigable route line. Use the written start and on-site signs.