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Miami’s not just about art deco and beach parties 🌴🏖️🥳
On two wheels, this city transforms into an unexpected cyclist’s playground.
The mix of urban energy and hidden natural gems creates some seriously amazing riding opportunities.
Let’s have a look at some local gems.
9 Best Miami Biking Trails And Rides
1. Biscayne-Everglades Greenway (best mtb ride)
The Everglades is the most peaceful and liberating place to ride bike. We need to protect this sanctuary at all cost ☮️💚
byu/Soyohwehttam inMiami
The Biscayne-Everglades Greenway links two national parks – Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. The trail is a 42-mile long loop but there are shorter sections that can be cycled, including both a 14-mile section and a 22-mile section.
The trail is mostly on grass with sections of gravel, so it’s recommended that you ride a mountain bike, as it’s not suitable for road bikes. The route begins at Biscayne National Park, or you can start at Homestead Bayfront Park, where there’s plenty of parking.
When you enter the Everglades, there’s also the chance to see crocodiles, as this is the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators exist together in the same habitat.
Surface Type: Paved, gravel, grass, rocks (mostly grass)
Ride Difficulty: Medium – flat ride on a variety of surfaces.
2. Old Cutler Trail (best family ride)
The Old Cutler Trail runs for 11 miles starting in Ingraham Park in Coral Gables and ending at the town center of Cutler Bay. This paved bike trail can be an easy ride for all levels and away from traffic, so can be suitable for family riding.
The route winds through several parks, which can offer lots of shade and a place to stop.
You can easily extend your ride, as the trail connects with additional paths both at the north end and the south. At the south, you can continue on the Biscayne Trail to Black Point Park, which can be a good place to see manatees and pelicans.
At the north end, the trail connects with the Commodore Trail which can lead you to the Rickenbacker Trail across to Key Biscayne.
Surface Type: Paved
Ride Difficulty: Easy – flat ride on paved bike path.
3. Miami to Key West (best road ride)
The route from Miami to Key West can offer views of some of Florida’s most beautiful scenery of turquoise waters and white sand beaches. This lets you travel across the causeways and historic bridges that link the Florida Keys.
Starting at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, the route follows the Old Cutler Trail, the Biscayne Trail and the Everglades Southern Trail before connecting with the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail in Key Largo.
The Heritage Trail runs 106 miles from Key Largo to Key West, with the entire route from Matheson Hammock Park to Key West being 163 miles.
There are many places to break up your journey along the way, with numerous parks and wildlife refuges to explore.
Surface Type: Paved/Sealed (sealed road with paved trails)
Ride Difficulty: Hard – long ride.
4. Rickenbacker Trail
The Rickenbacker Trail is an almost nine-mile-long trail that begins at Wainwright Park in Miami.
The route takes you across the Rickenbacker Causeway and ends at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. As you cross the causeway you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular views of the Miami skyline, including downtown, the cruise terminals, and Miami Beach. The bridge is also one of the highest “hills” in Florida, at 77 feet.
The trail passes through Virginia Key, with its historic beach. It also continues through the village of Key Biscayne, where you’ll find several eateries and coffee shops before continuing on the trail through the state park. There are picnic areas and restrooms at the state park.
Surface Type: Paved.
Ride Difficulty: Easy – short, paved route.
5. Oleta River State Park
The Oleta River State Park features over 1,000 acres of natural space, with marshes and mangroves at the northern end of Biscayne Bay. The park is home to some of Florida’s best mountain biking trails, with several options to suit various abilities.
There are around 15 miles of off-road trails that take you through the mangroves over twisty paths and gnarly roots, and often on narrow wooden boardwalks, which can be challenging. One particular trail, Gilligan’s Island Trail, can be a difficult route, with lots of tree roots and uneven terrain.
You can get great views across the bay from the beaches and some of the paths, with the Miami skyline in the distance.
Surface Type: Off-road.
Ride Difficulty: Medium – uneven terrain and narrow boardwalks.
6. South Beach Trail
The South Beach Trail, also known as the Atlantic Greenway, is just over four miles long. It stretches from South Pointe Park Pier to Indian Beach Park and takes you through South Beach, parallel with the city’s famous Ocean Drive.
This can be an easy ride if you’re looking for a shorter route, as there are numerous places to stop along the way, whether you’re looking for a bench to rest or you want to grab a coffee or have lunch.
However, as the trail hits the busier section, it becomes the Miami Beach Boardwalk. The boardwalk is for pedestrians only and bicycles are not allowed. But you can swing up and continue along the bike route that runs behind the buildings.
Surface Type: Paved.
Ride Difficulty: Easy – short, paved route.
7. Snake Creek Trail
Snake Creek Trail runs for just over six miles and links communities in Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. The trail runs through residential neighborhoods alongside Snake Creek Canal. The path features palm trees lining parts of the route, providing shade. There are also a few fitness areas and covered picnic benches where you can stop.
This paved trail can be ideal for all levels as it’s mostly a traffic-free route. The trail ends at the NE 19th Avenue Bridge at the corner of North Glades Drive. However, you can continue riding on the on-street bike route beyond this.
Snake Creek Canal can be a good place to spot wading birds, as well as ducks.
Surface Type: Paved.
Ride Difficulty: Easy – paved/traffic-free.
8. Southern Glades Trail
The Southern Glades Trail is an off-road trail that runs for 13 miles between Florida City and Manatee Bay. The trail follows the C-111 canal through the Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area and the Everglades National Park.
This can be a remote area, with nowhere to stop for refreshments along the way, so it can be important that you bring enough water with you. The route also has very little shade.
When you get to the end of the trail after passing under Route 1, you can look out over Manatee Bay from the small rocky beach.
This trail can be an excellent ride for wildlife viewing, with lots of opportunities to see alligators, snakes and a variety of birds.
Surface Type: Off-road.
Ride Difficulty: Medium – gravel trail through remote areas.
9. Black Creek Trail
The Black Creek Trail is a paved trail that runs for nine miles between Larry and Penny Thompson Park and Black Point Marina.
This scenic trail runs alongside Black Creek Canal until it reaches Biscayne Bay. You can cycle right out into the bay on a narrow stretch of land surrounded by mangroves.
This ride can be ideal for families, as it’s mostly traffic-free. It also passes close to shops. However, it can be a peaceful ride with wildlife to be seen along the waterway and when you reach Black Point Park at the end.
Surface Type: Paved.
Ride Difficulty: Easy – paved, flat trail.
Bike Rentals And Tours Around Miami
- Homestead Bikes (Biscayne-Everglades, Miami to Key West, Southern Glades – rentals)
- Virginia Key Outdoor Center (Rickenbacker Trail – rentals)
- BG Oleta River Outdoors (Oleta River State Park – rentals)
- Bike and Roll (South Beach, Snake Creek – rentals and tours)
Miami, FL Bike Laws
We’ve added some Florida laws for reference.
But this is not intended to be legal advice – you should always research the laws yourself.
- Helmets are required to be worn by all cyclists under the age of 16.
- Group riding on roads is limited to two-abreast unless impeding traffic or on a bike path.
- Cycling after drinking alcohol is illegal. The blood alcohol limit is 0.10 and you can lose your driver’s license, be fined and go to jail.
- Lights are required at night. You must have a white headlight and a rear red light plus red reflector.
- Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks unless locally forbidden.
- E-Bikes are considered bicycles under Florida law. They can be ridden anywhere a traditional bike is allowed unless specifically prohibited.
Final Words
Miami has a lot to see.
And checking it out on two wheels can give you the time to really enjoy it.
With incredible beaches, stunning skylines and beautiful natural areas filled with wildlife, this city can be a great place for a cycling trip.
With many connecting routes, you can extend your ride to suit your mood. Let us know if you have a favorite and share this with your fellow cyclists.
