Bike Trails Near Pensacola, Florida

As a family, we love going on bike rides. Whenever we go somewhere new I always look up if they have bike trails. We have found a few bike trails in Florida and Alabama that we love. These bike trails are within 3 hours of Pensacola, Florida and I promise they are all worth it! So keep reading and check out our top favorite bike trails near Pensacola, FL.

Bike Trails near Pensacola, Fl

The Florida Panhandle-

30a, Timpoochee Trail –

This was the first bike trail we discovered when we started riding bikes in Florida! It is also my favorite of all of the bike trails near Pensacola, Fl. This one is the furthest from Pensacola, about 2 hours away on a good day. If you are driving from Pensacola to do this trail in the summer, it will probably take you a bit longer to get there due to tourist traffic. Our family likes to start this bike trail either in Rosemary Beach or Seaside.

Rosemary Beach

In the summer, I suggest starting in Rosemary Beach as it is way less crowded there and they have a bike rental that is super easy to find. The 30a bike trail is just short of 19 miles long in one direction. We usually do around 10-15 miles round trip. Starting in Rosemary Beach, we will ride through the small-town streets before heading to the trail. The trail runs parallel to the road so it is easy to find and convenient. We usually head towards Alys Beach and keep riding to the Hub. The Hub is an area of shops and little outdoor restaurants and they often have live music on the weekends! We continue to ride a bit further to Deer Lake, before turning around to head back.

30a Uniqueness

Along the way, you will get to see how each town’s architecture and style change. Some look like they belong in New Orleans and others look like they have been pulled straight out of Greece! Each town has little cafes, bars, restaurants, and unique shopping areas! And there are not many chain establishments here! We enjoy getting coffee from Amavida and shopping in the bookstore next door in Rosemary Beach. I picked up a GREAT romance book series here that takes place around 30a. You can grab these books by clicking here!

Seaside

We have also started our ride in Seaside. Seaside is probably the most popular location on 30a and therefore the most crowded. They also have a nice shopping area with food trucks and stores! When we start here, we ride towards Grayton Beach and through the small town. We then turn around, heading back through Seaside towards Seagrove. We ride to Eastern Lake then turn around to go back to the car in Seaside.

This trail is mostly flat with a couple of hills. It is a smooth and easy ride. However, in the summer, it can be a bit tricky when riding through the crowded towns. Like I said before, if you want smaller crowds, go to Rosemary Beach! 30a is full of so many different options for riding and I miss living closer to it!

NAS Pensacola, Radford Fitness Trail-

If you have access to Naval Air Station Pensacola you are in luck. There is an awesome 8ish mile round trip trail that you can ride along! This Trail starts at Mustin Beach Pool and winds through the woods, marshlands, and along the beach. It is a VERY easy ride and flat most of the ride. You go past the lighthouse and museum as well. I enjoy this ride and it can be made longer just by riding in the opposite direction. If you choose to go in the opposite direction you will go along the beach, but beware that the path is not the greatest due to being destroyed during hurricane Sally in 2020.

Lower Alabama-

Gulf State Park-

We were lucky enough to do this ride when our friends were staying at the campsite. We paid a small fee of $5 to get into the park and park at their site before heading out for a short ride. (I am not sure how this trail works if you are not staying or a visitor of someone staying at the campsite). There are many different trails that you can do here. I believe we did the Lakeview, connecting to Lake Crossing and Rosemary Dunes, making a big loop, totaling around 8 miles. We rode along a couple lakes and over a bridge. Upon deciding to take a break, we stopped the butterfly garden for Moose and our friends children to play and climb the boulders.

This was also an easy ride! It was very shaded which was also a plus. Our friends have elementary-age children and they were able to handle this ride with ease! Located 45 mins to an hour away from Pensacola it is easy to get to and also a pretty drive through some small beach towns.

Our bike necessities

-The iBert Bike seat for Moose
– The Allen Sports Bike trailer and stroller for Moose
-A Toddler Bike Helmet
– Water Bottles for the bike
or
–Camelbak for quick and easier access
–Lights for your night time (and daytime) riding

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Eastern Shore Trail-

This Trail is located about an hour away from Pensacola. We started at the pier in Fairhope riding toward Point Clear. We went on a Sunday and they had a Market happening near the pier, which was nice to explore. Before heading out on our bike ride we got a small snack at the food trucks. I picked up some pecans and Melvin got some delicious salsa before leaving the market!

This was also a fairly shaded ride and pretty easy. It was a little hilly, but the inclines are those that you don’t notice until you are doing a workout on them. This was a pretty ride going through the Spanish Moss-covered trees and past beautiful houses and well-manicured golf courses. There were a good amount of people riding and walking along this trail. It extends for 24 miles allowing for a long ride if desired! We will be doing this ride again in the future and exploring the town of Fairhope more!

eastern shores trail sculptures for the military

A Few Other Bike Trails Near Pensacola, Fl

Okaloosa Island- just park at any of the beach access areas and ride along the side walk. This is a shorter ride because the military occupies a lot of the island. Even to military ID card holders are not permitted in this area.

Navarre Beach– park by the restaurants as soon as you go over the bridge to Navarre Beach. You can ride on the side walk and then along the road. This can be a long ride. You can ride all the way to Pensacola Beach along highway 399, through Gulf Island National Seashore.

To Sum it Up

All of these bike trails near Pensacola, FL are along well-paved areas with designated areas for bikes and runners (or walkers) making them fairly safe. The portions that we have done on each of these trails are relatively flat and would be good for all kinds of riders. They are all free except for the Gulf State Park, although depending on where you park, you may have to pay for parking.
Do you have a favorite bike trail in your area? Have you been to any of the ones I have mentioned?