Bike Trail Travels: Florida

Florida is flat, warm, and loaded with bike trails. With year-round riding weather, hundreds of miles of paved paths, and scenery ranging from Gulf Coast beaches to Everglades wetlands, it's one of the best places in the country to explore on two wheels. There's a ride here for every cyclist.

This guide covers the best bike trails in Florida, complete with the details you need to plan your next ride.

The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is one of the finest urban bike trails in the state. This paved rail trail stretches nearly 47 miles through the Tampa Bay area, from St. Petersburg north through Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and up to Tarpon Springs.

Built on an abandoned railroad corridor, the Pinellas Trail passes through waterfront parks, lively downtowns, and quiet neighborhoods. The most scenic stretch runs between Dunedin and Tarpon Springs, with stops including:

• Honeymoon Island State Park (barrier island beaches and nature trails)

• Tarpon Springs' famous Greek sponge docks

• Downtown Dunedin's shops, restaurants, and easy access to the waterfront

The trail is part of a developing 75-mile loop around Pinellas County and a segment of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, a 250-mile route connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.

At 47 miles, the Withlacoochee State Trail is one of the longest paved rail trails in Florida. This multi-use trail runs through Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties, following the Withlacoochee River and passing through portions of the Withlacoochee State Forest.

The asphalt trail is flat, well-marked, and welcoming to all skill levels. The route connects small towns, including Inverness, Floral City, Istachatta, and Dade City, each offering a taste of old Florida.

Wildlife sightings are common along the route:

• Deer grazing near the tree line

• Gopher tortoises crossing the path

• Wild turkeys and wading birds

• The occasional alligator sunning near water crossings

• Original railroad whistle markers along the route

• A restored 1925 caboose at the Inverness trailhead

• The Lake Henderson Trestle

The section between Floral City and Inverness (about 10 miles) offers the best mix of scenery and amenities. Multiple trailheads with parking lot access, restrooms, and water make it easy to ride in segments or all at once.

The Legacy Trail connects Sarasota to Venice along a former Seaboard Railroad corridor, offering 18.5 miles of smooth paved trail. Combined with the Venetian Waterway Park Trail, the system gives you over 30 miles of riding.

The southern starting point at the Historic Venice Train Depot is worth a visit on its own; The 1927 building once served the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus trains. From there, the trail runs north through:

• Oscar Scherer State Park, with access to nature trails and camping

• Wetlands and coastal forests with interpretive signage

• Bridges spanning Dona Bay and Roberts Bay, with water views exclusive to trail users

• Covered rest stations and shaded benches roughly every mile

• Free parking at several trailheads

• Restrooms and water at major access points

Fifteen minutes northwest of downtown Orlando, the West Orange Trail is one of Central Florida's most popular rides. This 22-mile paved trail passes through Winter Garden, where the path runs right down the middle of Plant Street past shops, restaurants, and a historic train museum.

The trail runs from the Killarney Station trailhead in Oakland through Winter Garden and northeast to Apopka. Along the way, you'll find:

• Spanish moss-draped oaks lining much of the route

• Several small lakes dotting the landscape

• Orange groves and a butterfly garden near the Tildenville Outpost

The West Orange Trail connects to the South Lake Trail in Lake County, adding another 15 miles and forming part of the developing Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail.

For pure scenery, it's hard to beat the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. This trail stretches 106 miles from Key Largo to Key West, with over 90 miles currently complete. It parallels U.S. Highway 1 and incorporates 23 historic Flagler Railroad bridges, some offering miles of riding over open turquoise water.

The best and safest sections for recreational riders:

• Upper Keys: Key Largo through Islamorada offers the longest continuous stretch of dedicated, off-road trail

• Lower Keys into Key West: Mile Marker 15 to Key West has its own dedicated lane and bridges with great ocean views

Some gaps remain where you'll share the road with traffic, so check current conditions before heading out. The arching bridges provide the only "hills" you'll encounter.

• Multi-day rides are entirely doable with planning

• The trail forms the southernmost segment of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile route from Maine to Florida

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (known as LOST) rings Florida's largest lake with roughly 110 miles of biking trail.

• More than half the route is an eight-foot-wide paved trail

• The rest is two-track gravel, better suited to mountain bikes and wide-tire setups

The trail sits atop the 35-foot-tall Herbert Hoover Dike, giving you an elevated perspective you won't find on most Florida rides:

• Wide-open views of the lake, sugar fields, and expansive wetlands

• Herons, egrets, and migrating waterfowl by the hundreds during winter months

• A remote, expedition-style feel, unlike anything else in the state

This one's an adventure ride for any avid cyclist looking for something different.

If you want to ride alongside alligators (and you do), head to Shark Valley in Everglades National Park. This 15-mile paved loop trail runs through the heart of the freshwater marsh with no vehicle traffic.

• Surface: 20-foot-wide paved loop, pancake-fla

• Wildlife: Gators, turtles, wading birds, and the occasional river otter

• E-bikes: Permitted with a 15 mph speed limit

• Best season: November through April for ideal wildlife viewing and comfortable weather

Florida has dozens of additional trails worth a visit:

• Lake Trail (Palm Beach): A 5-mile paved bike path along the Intracoastal Waterway past Palm Beach mansions. Great for a leisurely ride paired with a visit to the Flagler Museum.

• Little Econ Greenway (Orlando): A paved path through the Little Econlockhatchee River corridor, popular with Central Florida riders. Nearby, the Cady Way Trail connects to Winter Park for more options.

• Amelia Island: Barrier island riding with beach access, historic Fernandina Beach, and Fort Clinch State Park.

Fall through spring (October–April) offers the most comfortable riding weather. Summer works, but start early to beat the heat and afternoon thunderstorms. Winter is prime time for Everglades National Park and Lake Okeechobee trails.

Florida's trails welcome cyclists, walkers, runners, and sometimes equestrians. Keep these basics in mind:

• Call out or ring a bell when passing

• Yield to pedestrians and horses

• Stay to the right except when passing

• Keep dogs leashed on multi-use paths

• Pack out what you pack in

A few things to pack:

• Plenty of water (more than you think you'll need)

• Sunscreen and a hat

• A basic repair kit with a spare tube

• A few dollars for Florida state parks entrance fees

Florida's trail network keeps growing, with new connections opening regularly. From the Gulf Coast to the Keys, there's a ride waiting for every cyclist.

The hardest part? Getting your bike to the trailhead in the first place.

That's where we come in. At 1UP USA, we build bike racks designed to get your bikes to your adventure safely and securely. Our racks are manufactured right here in the USA from quality aluminum, not cheap plastic that'll crack or rust after a few seasons. Every single part is replaceable, so your rack can last as long as your love for cycling.

You've invested in your bike. Make sure you're transporting it on a rack built to the same standards. Check out our full lineup of bike racks and find the perfect fit for your vehicle. Then load up and hit those Florida trails.