Chincoteague Vacation – Day 3: Wildlife Loop
On Day 3 (April 8th) of our vacation, we drove to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife refuge is located on Assateague Island, VA. We carried our bicycles via bike carrier, even though the wildlife refuge is only a couple miles from Tranquil Shores, our Airbnb rental.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Trail Map
We rode our bicycles on the Wildlife Loop (3.25 miles), which is open to walkers and bikers all day. Vehicles are permitted to drive the loop from 3:00 PM until dusk. We rode several trails branching off the Wildlife Loop and ended up with 6.86 bicycle miles. We also got in a few walks, mostly to the ocean.
Black Duck Trail branches off the Wildlife Loop.
The Black Duck Trail can be used to connect the Wildlife Loop to the Woodland Trail. On this day we rode to the Beach Access Road and back (2 miles round trip) on the Black Duck Trail. The sign indicated that we might see Canada goose, tundra swans, black ducks and other waterfowl; deer; snakes; and songbirds. We did see a few birds, including a Flicker, but I was not able to grab my camera quick enough to capture any photographs. The only photograph I took, while on Black Duck Trail, was of the lighthouse.
Assateaugue Lighthouse, as seen along the Black Duck Trail
Swan Cove Trail branches off the Wildlife Loop.
Swan Cove Trail (0.5 mile one way) is a popular route to the beach.
We saw this pool of water, as we were bicycling to the beach on Swan Cove Trail.
Swan Cove Trail leads to the beach.
Continuing on the Wildlife Loop, a short distance from the Swan Cove Trail is a boardwalk trail.
The boardwalk trail leads to an overlook of Snow Goose Pool.
This is a Service Road that branches off from the Wildlife Loop.
The Service Road is a gravel foot path, 7.5 miles one-way, with limited bicycle access. Bicyclists can access the trail for 1.25 miles (one-way) to the D-Dike beach access area. Cars are not permitted on the Service Road, with the exception of Oversand-Vehicle (OSV) Permit holders.
Public Nudity must be a problem. Otherwise, I wouldn’t think a sign would be necessary.
Bob, riding to the beach on the service road
Beach access from the service road
This was our fourth year on the Wildlife Loop, but it was the first time that we saw it via bicycle. With the exception of the boardwalk trail, we had not been on any of the trails that branch off from Wildlife Loop. We rode around the Wildlife Loop several times during our vacation, both by bicycle and by car. I will share more photographs from Wildlife Loop in future blog posts.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Beauty Around Us 
5 Responses to “Chincoteague Vacation – Day 3: Wildlife Loop”
It looks as if bicycles are the perfect way to visit this park — beautiful views and good exercise!
I’m enjoying reading about your latest vacation. We are not traveling as much —so my advice to you and Bob: Keep doing it while you can!!!!
Looks like you all had a wonderful trip to an area of the country where we have never been…. Your lodging looks terrific –and I would love being able to see sunrises and sunsets.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hello, Linda! Looks like a great bike ride. Did you ride all the way from your place? Pretty view of the lighthouse, trail and beach. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week ahead!
We didn’t ride our bicycles to the wildlife refuge on this day. We did, though, ride from our rental home to the wildlife refuge on another day.
What a great trip and to ride your bicycles, sounds like so much fun. Glad you had such a good time.