When you think of top destinations for bike holidays in the US, Florida is probably not one that comes to mind. But as we discovered on our recent trip to the Sunshine State, there are plenty of beautiful bike trails here to explore!
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Prepare to be pleasantly surprised!
There are approximately 178 trails in Florida (that’s over 2,491km or 1,500 miles in total), so there is no shortage of opportunities to get outdoors!
A lot of the trails are beginner-friendly and family-friendly, too, with most offering a paved pathway for a smooth and safe ride. And if biking’s not your thing, there are hiking trails, water trails, and tons to do in surrounding trail towns, too.
We didn’t get a chance to visit all of the trails, but the ones we did were really fun to explore.
Continue reading to learn more about the trails we visited, and check out our recommendations for the best bike trails in Florida.
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Popular Trail Systems in Florida
Did you know that over 60% of Florida’s population lives within 1 mile of a trail? There are bike trails scattered all around the state, so no matter what part of the state you are visiting, it shouldn’t take long to find one nearby.
To save you the trouble, we’ve rounded out some of the most popular Florida cycling trails below.
Northern Florida
- Nature Coast State Trail (53 km/32 mi) in Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy County
- Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail (48 km/30.3 mi) in Bradford, Clay, Putnam, and Union County
- Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail (33.8 km/21 mi) in Leon and Wakulla County
- Timpoochee Trail (30 km/19 mi) in Walton County
- Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail (29 km/18 mi) in St. Johns County
- Miccosukee Greenway (24 km/15 mi) in Leon County
- Pensacola Beach Trail (14.65 km/9.1 mi) in Escambia County
Central Florida
- Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail (80.63 km/ 50.1 mi) in Pinellas County
- East Central Regional Rail Trail (76.60 km/47.6 mi) in Brevard and Volusia County
- Cross Seminole Trail (36.69 km/22.8 mi) in Seminole County
- Spring to Spring Trail (35.73 km/22.2 mi) in Volusia County
- Withlacoochee State Trail (74 km /46 mi) in Citrus, Hernando, Marion, and Pasco County
- Suncoast Trail (67.59 km/42 mi) in Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pasco County
- General James A. Van Fleet State Trail (46.67 km/29 mi) in Lake County, Polk, and Sumter County
- West Orange Trail (35.41 km/22 mi) in Orange County
- Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway (25.11 km/15.6 mi) in Marion County
South Florida
- Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (117.03 km/110 mi) in Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach County
- Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (144.84 km/90 mi)
- Sanibel Island Shared-Use Paths (38.62 km/24 mi) in Lee County
- Route A1A Trail (35.08 km/21.8 mi) in Indian River County
- South Dade Trail (33.54 km/20.9 mi) in Miami-Dade County
- Cypress Creek Greenway (26.55 km/16.5 mi) in Broward County
- Legacy Trail (17.22 km/10.7 mi) in Sarasota County
Best Bike Trails in Florida (That We’ve Biked!)
Okay, so we haven’t explored all the bike trails–that’s too much biking to squeeze into one trip – but can attest that the trails below are well worth a visit.
1. Capital City to the Sea Trail
About the Trail
98.17 km (61 mi) | Paved Trail | Bike Trail | Wheelchair-Accessible
This larger trail is made up of a group of trails in Northwest Florida, starting at Tallahassee and stretching all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. This trail is still a work in progress, with over 98 km (61 mi) already complete and another 90 km (50+ miles in development).
Capital City to the Sea includes the Capital Cascades Trail, the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, Ochlockonee Bay Bike Trail, Coastal Trail, and the Georgia, Florida & Alabama Trail (which is currently in the works).
With a mostly paved trail, it’s an easy ride for beginners and advanced trailgoers. Some spots are great for families and pets, too. There are wonderful boardwalk views, opportunities for wildlife spotting, and even a portion that passes by boat ramps for paddling trails.
We particularly enjoyed the Tallahassee St Mark’s Railroad section of this trail. It starts in the heart of Tallahassee, making it easy to access and stretches down to the town of St Marks. The trail is shaded and paved, making it ideal for a long bike ride!
Things to Do in Town
Florida’s Capital City, Tallahassee, is the perfect starting point for exploring the Capital City to the Sea trail. You can go as far as St. Marks or, for an easier alternative, stay close by and bike down the 2.7-mile Capital Cascades trail south of downtown Tallahassee.
There are also other outdoor alternatives to explore in town, like Tallahassee’s Central Park, known as Cascades Park, Tom Brown Park, or the Maclay Gardens State Park. If you want a change of terrain, get on a riverboat tour at Wakulla Springs for chance sightings of wading birds, alligators, and manatees.
Tallahassee’s downtown area is also a hip spot with interesting museums and surprisingly, a lot of delicious food options!
READ NEXT: Things to do in Tallahassee, Florida
2. Heart of Florida Loop Trail
About the Trail
310.60 km (193 mi) | Paved Trail | Bike Trail
The Heart of Florida Loop Trail is another cool initiative! Once complete, the trail will run through Central Florida in a large, circular loop right at the heart of the state. This trail includes several major Florida trails, namely Withlacoochee State Trail (the longest paved recreational trail in Florida!), Cross Florida Greenway, Spring-to-Spring Trail, Cross Seminole Trail, Seminole Wekiva Trail, Pine Hills Trail, Clarcona-Ocoee Connector Trail, West Orange Trail, South Lake Trail, and South Sumter Connector. Along the route, state parks and freshwater springs make for great stopping points and attractions.
The Heart of Florida Trail is a relatively easy, mostly paved trail, good for beginners to advanced bikers. If you want to see the manatees, bike the trail in the winter and head to Blue Spring State Park.
Things to Do in Town
One of the highlights of the Heart of Florida Trail is the famous Withlacoochee State Trail that starts in the charming town of Inverness. Aside from the trail, the town is also known for Fort Cooper State Park (which is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail), kayaking and boating in the chain of Tsala Apopka Lakes, and, of course, for its nearby Manatee Capital of the World – Crystal River.
Downtown Inverness is also worth a visit. Lined with local shops, restaurants, a theatre, and the historic Courthouse Square, it’s a charming and cozy area for an evening stroll and a lovely meal.
READ NEXT: Things to do in Inverness, Florida
3. Florida Coast to Coast Trail
About the Trail
258.88 km (223 mi) | Paved Trail | Bike Trail
This trail spans the width of Florida and takes you from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a multi-use trail with mostly flat surfaces and some moderately hilly sections.
It includes the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, Starkey Trail, Suncoast Trail, Good Neighbor Trail, Withlacoochee State Trail, South Lake Trail, General James A. Van Fleet State Trail, Hancock Trail, West Orange Trail, Clarcona-Ocoee Connector Trail, Pine Hills Trail, Seminole Wekiva Trail, Cross Seminole Trail, Rinehart Trail, Spring-to-Spring Trail, East Central Regional Rail Trail, and Space Coast Loop Trail. That’s a total of 359 km (223 mi) at present, and with another 50 km (30 miles) to be added on in the future.
Waterfront views of Lake Minneola, wildlife spotting at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Oakland Nature Preserve, and Lake Hiawatha Preserve, and bridges and tunnels are just some of the main draws off this massive trail.
Of course, we only got a taste of it, while biking along the West Orange section of the trail.
Things to Do in Town
Winter Garden is a charming trail town that lies just 30 mins outside of Orlando. It’s a perfect spot to visit if you are looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, and offers lots to do aside from the trails.
Winter Garden is home to one of the best Farmers’ Markets, which had lots of local produce, handicrafts, fresh flowers, ready-to-eat meals, and more. Winter Garden also has an interesting Heritage Museum, as well as tons of shopping and dining options to keep you occupied.
Winter Garden is just one of the many trail towns along Florida’s Coastal Trail. This was the perfect place to explore the West Orange Trail that runs 35.41 km (22 mi) across the town and ends along Lake Apopka. It’s beautiful, paved, and shady, just perfect for a leisurely bike ride.
READ NEXT: Things to do in Winter Garden, FL
Other Top Bike Trails in Florida
We, of course, weren’t able to visit all the best trails in Florida in just 1 week. But having done a lot of research on what’s available, we’ve compiled a nice list of other Florida bike trails worth visiting!
4. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
This 110-mile trail is on top of the 35 feet-high Herbert Hoover Dike, and goes around Lake Okeechobee, the second largest freshwater lake in the US. There’s a wide paved path and a two-track off-road trail for mountain bikes. Bikers go long distances with no hills, no trees, and no shade, so they say this one is best for long-distance bikers. This one would be best to tackle in the winter!
5. Nature Coast Trail
This 32-mile trail travels through Florida’s Nature Coast region and has a lot of history behind it. This route retraces what was once the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. It’s made up of two primary alignments built along abandoned rail lines that meet at Wilcox Junction. Some highlights along the trail include the Historic Suwannee River Railroad Bridge, Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs state parks, and Andrews Wildlife Management Area.
6. St. Augustine Trail
St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in the US, and it’s also a great place to cycle on the St Augustine Trail! Aside from the Spanish colonial architecture that takes you back in time, the city has a beach, marsh, and wooded trails (with some that are connected to nearby cities), as well as a protected wildlife sanctuary.
7. Van Fleet State Trail
The Van Fleet Trail is a former railroad that is better known today as one of Florida’s most rural trails. It covers 29.2 miles from Polk City to Mabel, and the landscape includes open cattle land, protected forests, and wetlands. There are also many areas for picnics and barbecues, as well as restaurants and restroom facilities, making it a favourite among families.
8. Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail
A mixed-use trail that was once part of the CSX Railway Line, this spans 15 miles between Baldwin and Jacksonville. It’s a straight paved trail with a dense tree canopy providing shade for bikers, hikers, and rollerblades. There’s also a parallel unpaved path for equestrians. Lots of wildlife can be spotted in the area, from hawks and wood storks to rabbits and turkeys and even alligators.
9. Old Cutler Trail
This one is perfect for a leisurely 13.5-mile ride through some of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Miami. A few points of interest along the way are Matheson Hammock Park, Fairchild Tropical Garden, and Pinecrest Gardens.
10. Tamiami Trail
One of the best ways to explore this trail is through the Tamiami Trail Triathlon. This includes a 15-mile loop road for bikers, a 3-mile loop for hikers, and a 3.5mile route for canoes or kayaks. The program was created by Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, and is supported by the Alliance of Florida’s National Parks.
11. Gainesville Hawthorne Trail
This 16-mile bike path is apparently one of the oldest in North Florida. It’s a paved trail that goes through a historic rail bed turned greenway, with stops that mark the history of Florida’s small railroad towns.
12. Spring-to-Spring Trail
This trail spans 26 miles from Gemini Springs Park to De Leon Springs State Park. There are 5 trailheads for easy access at DeBary Hall Historic Site, Gemini Springs Park, Lake Monroe Park, Lake Beresford Park, Blue Spring State Park, and in Glenwood. It’s beautiful and shady, with many spots for camping, picnicking, and even swimming.
13. East Coast Greenway Trail
In Florida, the greenway runs from Fernandina Beach all the way to Key West. Whether you go for a short ride or cover the whole trail, you’ll see some of the best views from Florida’s east coast—beaches, boardwalks, and salt marshes.
The Bottom Line
Florida’s bike trail system is still expanding even today, so we expect there will always be more to see the next time we visit. Still, we had a fun time going off the beaten path and exploring the wide network of bike trails in Central Florida and beyond.
Disclaimer: Our visit to Florida’s bike trails was made possible thanks to Discover Crystal River, Visit Tallahassee, Visit Orlando and Visit Florida. As always, all opinions expressed in this article are our own, no matter who is footing the bill.
