# Travel >> Destinations >> United States

How to Walk the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a major destination for many travelers. Located at the southeastern-most tip of the U.S., these 42 small islands are connected by U.S. Highway 1 from Key Largo to Key West, called the Overseas Highway. The road is about 128 miles long and is toll-free. Each island or islet has places to explore and walk about. The Gulf of Mexico lies inside, or to the right of the Keys, and the Atlantic Ocean borders them on the left when west bound.

Although a structure for walkers is currently being implemented, it is not continuous or completed. This poses great danger to anyone on foot with cars whizzing by at 60 mph. You will have to devise a method for finding alternate routes between islands yet to be connected for walkers or hikers if your goal is to do the entire chain on foot. Buses, taxis, bicycling or boating are options. But once on each island, walking is the ideal way to see the historic areas, shops, parks, wildlife refuges, town centers and white sand beaches.

Recent map of lower Florida and the Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail map
Good walking shoes
Food
Water
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent
Reflective outerwear
Backpack
Emergency contact numbers
Money
First aid kit
Optional:
Walking stick
Camera
Fishing gear
Snorkel and fins
Camping gear
Cell phone
Hotel or campsite reservations

Instructions

- 1
  
  Long, short, new and old bridges connect the Keys.
  
  Determine the number of miles you can walk each day.
  
  The major route is 106 miles direct, not counting side trips and offshoot trails on each Key. Some people can walk a mile in 15 or 20 minutes. At four miles an hour, it would take three or four days to walk the full length of the keys, so allow for more time if you want to have time to walk around each island, too. A week to 10 days would give a solid overview of the Keys; a month would provide for deeper and further encounters of things that you might miss in a shorter stay.
- 2
  
  In some areas, traffic can be a major concern to people on foot.
  
  Gather all necessary supplies, dress for the weather, and apply sunscreen.
  
  Keep your northbound/southbound Overseas Heritage Trail map handy.
- 3
  
  Sea birds of all types can be spotted at many points along the route.
  
  Set out from the eastern side of Key Largo, locating the entrance for the Overseas Heritage Trail.
  
  Head westbound, exploring each Key as you wish. Depending on how many days you plan to stay on each Key, you can walk almost every square meter of ground on public properties.
  
  Key Largo has many sights to take in, including the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Spiegel Grove, and the South Florida Center for the Arts. The original boat used by Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in the "African Queen" is here and rides can be arranged.
- 4
  
  Plumeria and other tropical flowers are in bloom much of the year.
  
  Continue to Islamorada.
  
  This is another major key with much to explore. If you have time, check out the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park and Indian Key State Historic Park or swim with dolphins at the Theater of the Sea. Galleries and museums and many water sports are also available.
- 5
  
  Many people view the sunsets nightly from the Keys, on shore or on boats.
  
  Continue to Long Key State Park.
  
  You'll have to know the current situation and Heritage Trail status for walking the Long Key Historic Bridge.
- 6
  Pick up the Trail from just east of Grassy Key Rest Area and continue to the City of Marathon and Sombrero Beach Park, which are approximately half way through the journey.
- 7
  
  This is as far south as you can walk.
  
  Find the start point of the 7 Mile Bridge.
  
  This is currently for automobiles and is parallel to the Old 7 Mile Bridge. The old bridge is NOT continuous, so if you try to walk it, you'll have to turn around part way. Walking the 7 Mile Bridge can be dangerous. You could potentially hitch a ride with travelers departing from Marathon, Knight's Key Rest Area, or Pigeon Key Historic Museum. If you chose to walk the bridge, cross the highway to walk against traffic (it's the law). Try to avoid the rush hour times and an hour before sunset when many drivers are on the road. It is very risky to be on this section at night. Continue on to Key West.
- 8
  
  The Key West Lighthouse is across the street from the home where Ernest Hemingway once lived.
  
  Walk Key West and allow plenty of time to explore.
  
  While many of the other Keys are tiny, Key West is approximately four miles square. Get a map of the walking tour for ideas on sections to visit. The southernmost point and dock areas are crowded every evening for viewing the famous sunsets. Historic buildings abound, including the Little White House, homes of famous writers Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams and numerous other points of interest.
- 9
  Determine whether to return to your parked car or home on foot or via alternate transportation to complete your journey. If you follow the same route in reverse, remember to face oncoming traffic at broken sections of the trail and especially on dangerous bridge areas.