Situated in the midst of the busiest, birdiest part of Wildlife Drive at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Cross Dike Trail is short on distance but long on value.
Connecting the Indigo Trail with Wildlife Drive, it provides a way to walk a loop within the refuge while offering an accessible surface for birding.
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Overview
Location: Sanibel Island
Length: 0.3 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 26.461382,-82.1332
Fees: $10 per vehicle, $1 per hiker or cyclist. The Indigo Trail is free to walk on Fridays. Access to the Visitor Center is free.
Restroom: At the Visitor Center
Land manager: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Phone: 239-472-1100
Visitor Center open 9-4, closed Fridays and Federal holidays. Wildlife Drive is open 7-5, closed on Fridays.
Leashed dogs and bicycles are permitted.
Directions
From Fort Myers cross the causeway to Sanibel Island (toll). At the T intersection, turn right on Periwinkle Rd. Turn right on Periwinkle Rd and follow the “Captiva” signs through Sanibel to Sanibel-Captiva Rd. Drive 5.1 miles to the park entrance on the right. Follow Wildlife Drive through the refuge. The Cross Dike Trail is on the left not quite a mile past the ranger station.
Hike
Our description is of the trail as it was before Hurricane Ian
Walking from Wildlife Drive onto the dike along this paved trail, enjoy the vistas of the mangrove-lined waters.
At first the expanses are broad. Then the views narrow considerably to a corridor often busy with bird activity.
Open water near the start of the Cross Dike TrailGreen herons and snowy egrets pick through the shallows. Wild sweet pea climbs up and over the massive sea grapes.
Necklace pod trees dangle showy yellow blossoms, attracting ruby-throated hummingbirds bound for Mexico in their fall migration.
After a tenth of a mile, reach the observation platform. Use the mounted binoculars to scan the swamp for signs of alligators and turtles.
Observation platformOne of Florida’s most colorful turtles, the ornate diamondback terrapin, lives in these marshes.
Past the observation platform, the Cross Dike Trail ends at a signposted intersection with the Indigo Trail.
Junction with the Indigo TrailDouble the mileage of this walk by turning right and walking along the shell path to the ending point of the Indigo Trail at an overlook.
From the junction, return the way you walked in, savoring the views and the birding along the way.
The return along the Cross Dike TrailYou can also make a loop of roughly 2.5 miles by following the Indigo Trail left at the junction of trails.
Hike in this direction for a loop walkWalk 1.2 miles to where it meets Wildlife Drive. Follow Wildlife Drive the way you drove it in to return to your vehicle.
Indigo Trail Get to know mangroves for miles and miles on the linear Indigo Trail, open to hikers and cyclists as a parallel route on a levee that connects to Wildlife Drive near both ends.Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Preserving more than half of Sanibel Island for the sake of its bird life, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of the top places in the United States to view rare bird species. Nearby Adventures
Red Mangrove Overlook The shortest walk at the refuge, the Red Mangrove Overlook along Wildlife Drive provides a fine perspective for birding and for seeing mangrove crabs up close.
Wulfert Keys Trail Does a crocodile smile? You might find out with a walk down the Wulfert Keys Trail, which follows a mangrove-lined canal to the edge of Hardworking Bay.
Calusa Shell Mound Trail Near the end of Wildlife Drive, this accessible boardwalk loops a site revealing the ancient Calusa culture that once flourished on Sanibel Island.
Ding Darling Bailey Tract One of the lesser-known trails at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at the Bailey Tract, off Tarpon Bay Road. Loop around impoundments with great birding.
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