Historic Dike Trail Map (click to enlarge)

Length: 2.2 mile loop
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy

To keep water from flooding Fort Pulaski and its grounds, an earthen dike was built around the entire fort complex. The dike is still intact, and you are welcome to hike or bike along the top of it. This route is known as the Dike System Trail (formerly the Historic Dike Trail). The idea is similar to that of the Moat Walk, a trail that allows you to see the outside of the fort by walking around the moat, only on the Dike System Trail you are much farther away, at times so far away that you cannot see the fort.

One of the closer views of Fort Pulaski on the Dike System Trail, Fort Pulaski National Monument

The Historic Dike Trail is flat and easy to walk and has a surface of nicely manicured grass. It would make a great running track—no pounding your knees on an asphalt or concrete surface—and I was surprised not to see more locals out using the trail for exercise purposes. Enough of the trail is completely exposed to the sun that you will need to apply sunscreen and wear a hat if avoiding the sun is important to you. I do not suggest hiking this trail in the summer.

Dike System Trail near the bridge to Cockspur Island at Fort Pulaski National Monument

If biking the trail, the grass makes it a little tougher to peddle than would a paved or hard dirt surface. Also, you will need a mountain or hybrid bike; road bikes may not make it.

Biking the Dike System Trail at Fort Pulaski National Monument

There is no official start to the Dike System Trail; in fact there isn’t even a sign identifying it. Just get to the dike via one of three trails—North Pier Trail, Lighthouse Overlook Trail, or Picnic Area Trail—and start walking left or right. I suggest hiking to the lighthouse and then catching the Dike System Trail on the way back. It also passes within fifty yards of the North Pier and Battery Hambright, so you end up killing three birds with one stone. Nobody is going to hike the Picnic Area Trail unless they are going to the picnic area, so forget that.

The Historic Dike Trail is an easy, relaxing hike around the grounds of Fort Pulaski. You can get good views of the fort from a distance on the east and south sides of the trail, but on the west and north sides the dike runs through or along the forest, and the view of the fort is blocked.

View of Fort Pulaski from the Dike System Trail, Fort Pulaski National Monument

There are two points of interest on the Dike System Trail, one being the aforementioned North Pier ruins and Battery Hambright. The dike runs right between the two, a stone’s throw from each.

Old North Pier at Fort Pulaski National Monument

From the trail, Battery Hambright is camouflaged by a grassy hill. Walk around to the other side and you will see that a concrete bunker is actually hidden within the hill.

Battery Hambright as seen from the Dike System Trail at Fort Pulaski National Monument

Battery Hambright on Cockspur Island (Fort Pulaski National Monument)

The other point of interest is the canal that supplies water to Fort Pulaski’s moat. Water flows through a culvert under the dike, and doors on the river side regulate the amount of water that enters the canal.

Canal connects Fort Pulaski’s moat with the South Channel of the Savannah River, Fort Pulaski National Monument

Doors on a culvert under the dike let the water into the canal to supplies water to Fort Pulaski (Fort Pulaski National Monument)

Mouth of the canal and lever that opens the door to let water into the canal at Fort Pulaski, Fort Pulaski National Monument

If you don’t want to walk the entire Dike System Trail, you can take a shortcut back to the fort by following the elevated path on either side of the canal. There is a similar shortcut a little to the east, and you can also use the park road as a shortcut back to the Fort Pulaski Visitor Center.

Shortcut back to Fort Pulaski follows the canal, Fort Pulaski National Monument

If you have the time and the temperature is right, the Dike System Trail is a pleasure to hike, plus you learn something along the way. If you are pressed for time and / or want a shorter hike, do the Moat Walk and the North Pier Trail, as these offer the most bang for your buck as far as getting you outside to experience the history of Fort Pulaski National Monument.

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