Parking
The mapped start is on Old State Road 4A near County Road 939. No designated lot or pullout was identified; confirm legal parking before you set out.
Overview
About Lower Sugarloaf Key Trail
Why go
- A genuine stretch of the road that preceded the Overseas Highway.
- Gentle grades keep climbing out of the effort equation.
Heads up
- More than seven miles on uneven tread with possible overgrowth.
- No designated parking or on-route water stop was confirmed.
Lower Sugarloaf Key Trail is a 7.22-mile out-and-back along the remains of old State Road 4A. The agency's GPS route measures 3.61 miles one way; its trail catalog rounds that to 3.5 miles each way, or 7 miles round trip. Plan on about 3.5 to 4 hours. The grade is gentle, but the distance and rough, sometimes overgrown tread make this a full walk rather than a quick leg-stretcher.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Overseas Highway map
Full mapElevation-3–16 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Overseas Highway alerts
- CautionCoastal flooding across the Florida KeysMentions Florida Keys, referenced in this guideA Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for the Upper Keys and Coastal Flood Advisories remain in effect for the Middle and Lower Keys until 5 a.m.Official details
- CautionNighttime lane closures on Seven Mile BridgeExpect possible nighttime lane closures on Seven Mile Bridge for FDOT’s rehabilitation project to repair and strengthen the bridge.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Overseas Highway Tour Guide
Your drive to Lower Sugarloaf Key Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Overseas Highway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Overseas Highway audio tourMore stories near here in the app
- The Shell Left Behind
- Check the Heron's Legs
- Seedlings That Sail
- The Bat Tower Without Bats
- 136 audio storiesacross Overseas Highway’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Crocodile, Alligator, Manatee, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 26 trails, 88 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Lower Sugarloaf Key Trail
Follow the old roadStart on Old State Road 4A and follow the marked line to its mapped end, then return the same…
Start on Old State Road 4A and follow the marked line to its mapped end, then return the same way. The route is nearly level. The official trail map labels a mixture of asphalt and short gravel or native-material pieces, while the refuge describes uneven, rustic surfaces and warns that vegetation can cover parts. Expect changing footing instead of a smooth, uniform path.
A road with a rough pastThis is a trace of the first State Road 4A, built in the mid-1920s as part of the route to Key…
This is a trace of the first State Road 4A, built in the mid-1920s as part of the route to Key West. Locals called it “Old Bumpy” for its dusty, rocky surface. Monroe County commissioner J. Otto Kirchheiner was credited with the first mainland-to-Key West drive in 1927; the road's public opening followed in 1928.
Rain can change the walkThe refuge warns that parts of its trails can flood in the rainy season.
The refuge warns that parts of its trails can flood in the rainy season. Mosquitoes can also be a seasonal nuisance, and uneven or overgrown sections can slow your pace. Bring water, sturdy shoes and sun protection; no water stop or other on-route facility was confirmed for this trail.
You're in Key deer countryThe National Key Deer Refuge was established to protect Key deer and other wildlife.
The National Key Deer Refuge was established to protect Key deer and other wildlife. Key deer are found only in the Lower Florida Keys, but this route isn't documented as a dependable viewing spot, so treat a sighting as a bonus.
Check access before you goThe mapped trail starts on Old State Road 4A near County Road 939.
The mapped trail starts on Old State Road 4A near County Road 939. No named parking lot or pullout was identified, so confirm where you can legally leave a vehicle before committing to the full out-and-back. Public refuge trails are open from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Dogs are allowed on leash, and bicycles may use this route too.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Overseas Highway
18 sightingsCrocodileMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
255 sightingsAlligatorMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
55 sightingsManateeMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
70 sightingsCommon Bottlenose DolphinMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
1,120 sightingsKey DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Overseas Highway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
