A Guide To The Timpoochee Trail

The trail parallels the entire length of Scenic Highway 30A from Dune Allen to Inlet Beach and is safe, wide, and relatively flat. Rental bikes are available from several shops along the length of the trail. You can rent bikes by the day, but if you’re staying somewhere along 30A you might want to rent them for the entire week. After one ride along the Timpoochee, your bike may become the preferred mode of transportation at the beach.

Here’s a mile-by-mile guide to the trail, going from west to east. Be sure to take sunscreen, sunglasses, a bottle of water, and a camera. You’ll need them all!

MILE 0 – The trail begins on the west side of Highway 30A where it separates from US Highway 98 in Dune Allen. There’s a gas station, mini-mart and a Subway here in case you need some supplies or snacks for your bike ride.

Almost immediately, you’ll see the entrance to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on your right. It costs two dollars for a bike rider to enter, but if you’ve got the time and energy, it’s definitely worth the side trip. A set of bike/walking trails in the park will take you back to the beautiful, unspoiled beaches, or you can wind through the old-growth coastal forests and three dune lakes that make this state park a coastal jewel. Plus there are bathrooms, drinking fountains, and a camp store here for any pit stops you need to make.

MILE 1 – You’ll see the first milepost just before you get to Van R. Butler Elementary School in Dune Allen, and soon after that you’ll spot Stallworth Lake, the first of several dune lakes you’ll get to see on the bike trail. A short distance later, you’ll get to Stinky’s Fish Camp on your left, a favorite restaurant/watering hole of both locals and visitors alike. You’ll bike past another dune lake, Allen Lake, immediately after passing Stinky’s.

MILE 2 – The trail crosses to the Gulf side of 30A for a short time at Dune Allen Regional Beach Access, your first chance for a glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico from the trail, and another place to re-fill your water bottle or use the restroom. Then, the trail crosses back to the north side of the road at Oyster Lake, and about a half-mile later there’s another mini-mart on your left where you can find more snacks and/or drinks.

MILE 3 – When you arrive at the three-mile marker, you’ve reached a large group of shops and restaurants at Gulf Place, at the intersection of 30A and State Road 393. Here, you’ll find plenty of places to stop, shop, and eat, including The Perfect Pig and Pizza by the Sea which have outdoor seating for you to relax and people watch while you take a breather.

The trail once again crosses to the Gulf side at the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access, another large access point with restrooms, fountains, and a viewing tower that’s ideal for great pictures of the white sand and turquoise water.

MILE 4 – If you’re starting to get hungry, you’ve got a couple of options after the fourth mile of your trek. The Local Catch Bar & Grill, one of 30A’s newest seafood eateries, sits directly in front of the Mile 4 marker. If you’re more in the mood for Asian cooking, Basmati’s sits just off the trail about half a mile further.

Between the two restaurants, be sure to stop and take a shot of the picturesque covered bridge that carries the trail over Draper Lake, another one of South Walton’s rare coastal dune lakes. The bridge makes a great backdrop for a group biking portrait.

MILE 5 – At Milepost 5 of the trail, you’ve reached the community of Blue Mountain Beach, and you might notice a slight incline as you enter the area. The area was named “Blue Mountain” because the tall dunes along the Gulf of Mexico used to be covered with the flowers of the Blue Lupine, a tall flowering plant that you can still see in some spots around here.

You’ll also see several places that might tempt you to stop in for a snack or a meal. Among them are Blue Mountain Bakery, famous for its organic cinnamon rolls, the Blue Mountain Beach Creamery, with plenty of cool frozen treats for a warm day, and the shops and restaurants of Redfish Village, which sits at the intersection of 30A and Highway 83.

A little bit outside of Blue Mountain Beach, Big Redfish Lake sits right off the trail on the right.

MILE 6 – You’re about a third of the way through the trail now, and you’re already about to see your sixth coastal dune lake. Little Redfish Lake is just off the trail to the right. Believe it or not, lakes like this are quite rare worldwide. There are 15 named dune lakes in South Walton, but the only other places you’ll find them are in Madagascar, New Zealand, Australia, and Oregon. When the lakes get too full due to rain or groundwater seepage, an “outfall” opens up between the lake and the Gulf of Mexico to transfer water between the two. Once the lake has reached equilibrium, the outfall closes up again.

MILE 7 – When you see the 7-mile marker, you’ll pass Alligator Lake, as well as the exit to Grayton Beach State Park (the entrance is another mile down the trail). The park includes another long strip of beautiful beachfront, access to Western Lake, and plenty of biking and hiking trails. You may even like it enough to want to stay here, in which case the park has both campsites and fully furnished cabins.

At about mile 7.7, you’ll come to the intersection of 30A and Highway 283 (DeFuniak Street). Now, you’ve got a choice to make. If you take a right on 283, you can explore the community of Grayton Beach, including the famous Red Bar. Take a left, and you’ll find The Shops of Grayton, with its artsy little shops and the Hurricane Oyster Bar. Stay on the Timpoochee Trail, and you’ll reach the Uptown Grayton center, which includes more restaurants, shops, and a Starbucks.

MILE 8 – After passing Grayton Beach, your next big point of interest is Western Lake, the largest of South Walton’s dune lakes. Looking right, you can see all the way to the beach, and on a nice day you’re likely to see people enjoying the lake on kayak, canoe, or YOLO board. If you’re interested, you can rent and learn to use a boat or board at The Boat House in WaterColor.

On the two bridges over Western Lake, the bike trail briefly joins up with 30A, so a little extra caution is warranted.

MILE 9 – Once you cross the last bridge over Western Lake, you’ll see the entrance to WaterColor, another of South Walton’s unique beach neighborhoods. Here, there are yet more options for refreshments or shopping, and if you’ve got time for a side trip, take a left onto Watercolor Boulevard and explore this beautiful community that virtually blends into its natural surroundings. The bridge over Western Lake, with its charming solar cattail lights, is a popular photo opportunity here.

The trail crosses to the north side of 30A here, and almost immediately after leaving WaterColor, you’ll be entering Seaside, the beautiful beach neighborhood that took a starring role in the popular film “The Truman Show”. Stay on the trail and you’ll soon be biking through Central Square, a perfect place to take a break and grab lunch or a snack from one of the food trucks on Airstream Row or the shops and restaurants in the square.

If you’ve still got some energy, it’s well worth the time to take your bike behind the square and explore some of Seaside’s picturesque neighborhoods. The Shops of Ruskin, the Seaside Chapel, and the pastel-colored homes on tree-lined streets are all iconic images of Seaside that many visitors love to experience and photograph.

MILE 10 - Once you’ve gone through Seaside, you quickly come to Seagrove and the intersection of 30A and County Road 395. There’s another bike trail that leads to the north towards Point Washington State Forest, but if you stay on the Timpoochee Trail, you’ll soon find Old Florida Fish House, a long-time favorite of locals and visitors, famous for its sandwiches and fresh seafood. The trail then crosses back to the Gulf side.

MILE 11 – Several chances for rest breaks will greet you after you pass the mile marker in Seagrove. There’s a small shopping center with a few restaurants and shops at the 11.4-mile mark, followed quickly by a gas station and convenience mart.

MILE 12 – After crossing over Seawater Drive at the milepost, you’ll be starting the final third of the trail with a nice view of Eastern Lake.

MILE 13 – At about the 13.6-mile mark, you’ll see Deer Lake, followed closely by the entrance to Deer Lake State Park, another part of the South Walton ecosystem protected from development. Among the favorite activities here are biking, fishing, exploring the coastal dune habitat and enjoying pristine Gulf beaches.

MILE 14 – Almost immediately after Deer Lake, you will reach the entrance to WaterSound, one of the newer beach neighborhoods in South Walton. If you need to take a break and want to check out the “downtown” area of this community, the WaterSound Origins Café offers a nice place to grab a quick lunch.

MILE 15 – Last chance for a pretty picture of a dune lake along the trail. There’s a great view of Camp Creek Lake at about 15.2 miles. It makes for a stunning photograph, especially at sunset.

MILE 16 – At this point of the trail, you’re entering Seacrest, and here you’ll find a few more great opportunities for refreshment. If it’s your sweet tooth that needs a fix, The Sweet Peddler carries sea-salted edamame chocolate bars, hand-dipped Hershey's ice cream, and saltwater taffy. If you’re looking for something more hearty, La Cocina is serving up great Tex-Mex cuisine with a coastal twist.

MILE 17 – The iconic white butteries and stately line of palm trees along 30A is a sure sign you’re in Alys Beach, and it’s a great place to get off the trail and explore for a little while. Alys Beach is known for its stately Caribbean-influenced architecture, but there’s also a beautiful nature trail and the exotic Caliza Pool to explore. And if you’re hungry or thirsty, local favorites Raw & Juicy and George’s are both just off of 30A.

Immediately after you leave the elegant white buildings of Alys Beach, you’ll change over to the charming New Orleans style of Rosemary Beach, which is also worth a side trip off the trail. If you’ve got the time, browse through the shops and galleries of downtown Rosemary, and take a few moments to check out the Butterfly Garden on the north side of the community. And there are several more snacking options here, including Cowgirl Kitchen, the Summer Kitchen Café and The Sugar Shak.

MILE 18 – You’ll pass the final mile marker just after leaving Rosemary Beach, and about half a mile later, the trail ends in Inlet Beach at the doorstep of Shades Bar & Grill. Celebrate your completion of the trail here, or wander back onto the streets of Inlet Beach for some stunning views of the Gulf to put an exclamation point on an amazing 18.5-mile bike ride and another great day at the beach.

South Walton Trail Etiquette