Take a Long Bike Ride–Or a Short One–On Natural North Florida’s Cycling Routes

If you’re a bicyclist, our Natural North Florida region offers 32 excellent rides–long and short.  Many are on bike-laned roads and others follow routes originally used by the railroads and logging trucks. All our routes can be accessed and ridden using the BikeWithGPS app on your smartphone.

Unlock the power and utility of our routes by joining the Visit Natural North Florida Bicycle Club on Ride with GPS! Print route maps, cue sheets, descriptions, and elevation profiles for your next ride. Download our routes to your cell phone using the RidewithGPS app for turn-by-turn voice instructions!

Download the app now!

 

 

The Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail begins at Depot Park in downtown Gainesville and follows an old rail bed about 30 miles to Hawthorne.  There, it’s a quick and easy turnaround to follow the easy ride back to Gainesville.  This trail is perfect for beginners, as it’s away from auto traffic, scenic and an easy flat ride.

 

 

The Ochlockonee Bay Trail begins at the Mashes Sand Beach at the Gulf of Mexico and runs about 13 miles north, along the Ochlockonee River, to the town of Sopchoppy.  It’s an easy ride for both beginners and experienced cyclists.

 

The Tallahassee to St. Marks State Trail is a 41-mile, grade-separated route that ends at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers in southern  Wakulla County.   Much of the trail is shaded and the trip is relatively flat.  If you’re a “century cyclist” consider a side trip to Wakulla Springs State Park, one of Florida’s great natural wonders.

 

 

Much of what makes Natural North Florida “natural” is the relationship of our 14 counties to rivers, springs, lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.  Our bike routes cross rivers, give access to State Parks and springs and offer views unlike those in the rest of Florida.

For cyclists wishing to take longer trips, we also offer two “century plus” routes.  The Grand Tour is just over 500 miles and the Coastal Tour is almost 400 miles.  Both offer exceptional scenery and a good look at our region.

All our routes are detailed in our new Biking Guide.  It’s available as a PDF  that can be downloaded at:   Cycling Guide HERE