SCCF Walking Trails
Nature Center Trails
Periwinkle Blue Skies Preserve Trail
SCCF has 4 miles of trails at the Nature Center on Sanibel-Captiva Road and a .6-mile trail in the Periwinkle/Blue Skies
Preserves on Periwinkle Way.
The Center Tract is a restored cross-section of rare and unique interior, wetland and upland habitats. It is open to members (free) and visitors ($3/adult, children under 17 free) and includes 4 miles of nature trails, boardwalks and an observation tower overlooking the Sanibel River. Guided trail walks are offered regularly throughout the year, but visitors may take self-guided tours. At the beginning of the trails an ethnobotany garden contains plants that have been used by humans for centuries and interpretive signage describes medicinal properties of the plants.
Click here for a printable Adobe PDF of the Nature Trails map
The Periwinkle Nature Trail is a .6 mile long loop trail on the Periwinkle Blue Skies Preserve, on Periwinkle Way. After Hurricane Charley in 2004, the remaining Australian Pines were removed from this area and planting work began to create an approximately seven-acre tropical hardwood hammock.
Since that time, over five thousand trees and shrubs have been planted. In time this hammock will be dominated by a canopy of Live Oak and Mastic with dozens of other species of native plants mixed in. The hammock area will provide a haven for wintering and migratory songbirds. The trail winds through this area and provides the opportunity to see many uncommon species of tropical plants and the bird life they attract.
The Periwinkle Blue Skies Preserve Trail can only be accessed by foot or on bike from Periwinkle Way. Look for the gazebo, which is across the street (and a little to the west) from Sanibel Community Church.
Left: The Periwinkle Trail (at top in the illustration).