Florida Keys: Old 7 Mile Bridge Trail 👣 I Trail Cooking

The Old 7 Mile Bridge Trail was reopened in 2022 between Marathon/Hog Keys and Pigeon Key in the Florida Keys.

The main trailhead parking lot is right off Hwy 1, right before you enter the 7 Mile Bridge. If you are not paying attention, it’ll be a long time before you can turn around (not till Little Duck Key). The parking lot isn’t huge so going early can be good. The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail runs through Marathon and Hog Keys, so you can park farther back if needed and just walk more on the trail, which connects.

You can access it from both sides of Hwy 1. Car bridge on the left.

If you read all the historical signs, it’s education.

Reopened in 2022, the bridge section is 2 miles long and had a lot of restoration work done.

The bridge has 4 lanes, 2 for each way. Bikes in the center ones.

They painted each tenth of a mile on the path to taunt walkers. But eventually, you can see Pigeon Key.

Right at the end, the bridge goes over Pigeon Key.

What the old bridge sections look like, though this section is actually in pretty good shape compared to further sections. The modern bridge is in the distance, onwards to Key West.

Sections of the old bridge were removed for passage of boats. And to keep people off of course.

Pigeon Key is open to visitors, but it costs to visit. It has a museum (the railroad builders lived here during construction). Alistaire (our youngest) and I opted to not visit and headed back. Had we walked down, it would have been $15 for me, and $12 for the boy.

I’d put this as a great walk to do. The views are pleasing, a lot of birds, even turtles. And you walk across water the entire way.

The parking is free. Do wear clothing that breathes and covers you well. We wore sun hats, sunscreen and sunglasses. And lots of water. We had a wind heading out, but none coming back. And it was 73* with the sun. They do have garbage cans along the bridge, but there are no bathrooms, so keep that in mind. Bicycles are allowed. Dogs are not allowed on Pigeon Key, and the black surface of the bridge gets hot. Great for strollers, though! Keep an ear open as Pigeon Key does operate a “train” trolley on the bridge for people who want to visit, but not walk. It’s easy to hear/see.