Western Lake Trail At WaterColor

If you’ve stayed in WaterColor then you know this trail. If you haven’t biked or hiked this trail then you’re in for a treat. The trail loops around the lake with several bridges and excellent views of Western Lake, one of South Walton’s rare and beautiful coastal dune lakes.

The trail is unique in that it is one of the few trails in SoWal that has elevation changes, even though relatively gentle. You’ll also get a look at the Western Lake headwaters, mostly marsh, lilypads, wildflowers and maybe an alligator. Early morning or evening you may spot some deer that are attracted to feed around the lake.

The main loop is about 1.4 miles, but there is a long bridge that bisects the wetlands and creates a shorter loop of less than a mile. During periods where WaterColor is full of visitors, you’ll be sharing the trail with many people of all ages walking, running and biking.

You can park at the WaterColor Boathouse parking lot and head across the bridge then turn right to circle the lake, or you can head east from the boathouse to first hike the southern side of the lake. But an even better idea is to park near town center on 30A and start your hike at the fountain in Cerulean Park, take a short but spectacular walk along the watercourse packed with flowers, through the live oaks towering over the green lawn, cross the road to Marina Park and then pick up the Western Lake Trail at the Boathouse.

If you want to see even more of the lake there are spurs off the trail on both the north and south sides of the lake, just west of the Western Lake Loop. These sections are usually a bit quieter and less traveled, and you’ll get to see more stately southern-style homes of WaterColor.

Bonus: at the WaterColor Boathouse you can have a fishing adventure, rent a canoe, kayak, or paddle board and get lessons if desired.