I recently spent a wellness and fitness weekend in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama, thanks to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism who covered the cost of my travel expenses and weekend activities. I was able to explore many aspects of running and fitness in this area during the three days I was there. All opinions expressed about the best places to run in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are my own unbiased accounts.

To say I travel a lot is an understatement. From work trips to running and fitness racecations to simply sneaking away with my husband, I’m on planes and in different cities more times than I can keep track of in any given year. One of the first things I do after booking a trip to a city I’ve never been to is to research the best places to run. Before this past weekend, there were two truths you should know about: 1) I had never before spent any leisure time in Alabama (nor was it a must-visit destination on my radar). I had been twice for one night each: once for a funeral and once for a wedding. 2) I had never associated the Gulf Coast of Alabama with running or fitness. Both of those things are no longer true.

After spending a weekend in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach exploring running, triathlon, fitness, wellness and, of course, food, I’m now convinced that it is a wonderful place to spend a girls getaway, weekend racecation or even a family vacation where you can stay incredibly active and/or maintain your endurance training. If you’re considering a trip to the Alabama Coast soon (or you are now considering one because you should), here are the best places to run in Gulf Shores and Orange beach, as well as bike, swim and stay active.

Best Places to Run in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

1. Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails: There are seven trails that make up a 15-mile trail system through Orange Beach and Gulf State Park that offer a flat, paved surface for running (and biking). The trail is surrounded by a natural ecosystem of trees, marshy areas and even alligator habitats (which make you run a little faster in hopes you don’t spot one of these creatures). There are several entrance locations and parking areas that make getting there and running easy. Find the trail map here. While the locals said the trails were safe to run on alone, I’d recommend bringing a buddy or friend if you can since the path is secluded on both sides by nature and wildlife.

2. Perdido Beach Blvd. This long, flat stretch of road runs adjacent to the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. It is a four-lane road, with a wide bike/running lane on both sides of the road. It would be great for a variety of runs, from short runs to speed/tempo intervals to long out-and-back runs. There are gas stations, grocery stores and drug stores along the way for bathroom stops and to buy additional fluids as needed. One thing to note is that there is NO shade on this road, so get your running done early on Perdido Beach Blvd. Run against traffic, avoid wearing headphones (or only wear one earbud) so you can be very aware of oncoming traffic and note that it can be hot and humid so you should consider carrying fluids. There are beautiful, unobstructed views of the beach in certain patches along the road that are great for taking a quick break and stretching if needed.

3. On the Beach: If you enjoy running on the beach, run directly on the sand along Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The area has 32 miles of sand along the Gulf. Time your run based on when the tide will allow you to run on the least banked (sloped) surface as possible to avoid injury/imbalances and consider wearing trail shoes, running closest to the water where the sand is most packed. If you enjoy running barefoot, be careful of shells and other sharp objects that could injure your feet.

READ: 5 TIPS FOR RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING

Where to Bike

Perdido Beach Blvd. and the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry trail are also excellent places to cycle while you’re in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. There are several bridges on Perdido Beach Blvd. that can add some hills to your workout as well.

Where to Swim

Although I didn’t do any swimming during my recent trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are three great options for getting your laps in:

1.  The David L. Bodenhamer Recreation Center has a heated pool with lap lanes. You can find pool hours, classes and lessons here.
2. The Orange Beach Aquatics Center offers lap swimming in an outdoor junior Olympic swimming pool with guest passes available for a $5 daily rate.
3. You can also do an open water swim in the Gulf along the beach!

Races to Register for

There are three marquee endurance races in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area that would make for a great racecation. If you enjoy flatter races, this is a great location for faster times, although the heat and humidity can play a factor.

• Brett-Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon (September): I was able to spectate at this race this year and it was a well-run event. It offers mini-sprint and intermediate (Olympic) distance options. The Olympic distance includes a two-loop swim and out-and-back flat courses on both the run and bike with almost no additional turns. The temperatures tend to be hot with high humidity, so you’ll need to be mentally and physically prepared for the heat.

• Big Beach Marathon (January)
• Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Gulf Shores (February)

READ: 6 TIPS FOR THE PERFECT RACECATION

Other Running and Fitness Resources in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach

• Events and things to do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
• Orange Beach Running Club
• Lower Alabama Fleet Feet Running Club
• Infinity Cycle
• Gulf Adventure Center (Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, zip lining on Lake Shelby)
• Fusion Spa (massage)
• Brett Robinson Vacations (Lodging)

Have you ever been to the Alabama Gulf Coast? If so, where did you find to be the best places to run in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? Where would you like to go on your next racecation?