Best Biking Trails In Jax
Cycling is one of the many experiences that can be enjoyed in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail
The Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail is a completely paved 15-mile flat trail made from an old railroad corridor, so long or short, you can choose the length of your ride.
Go early in the morning and you might even see some native Florida wildlife along the way! Start your trek at the Baldwin (Center St) trailhead. There’s plenty of free parking. You can bike a little over 6 miles to the Camp Milton Historic Preserve, a very nice Civil War historic site. The Rail Trail is a paved road for bikers/walkers/runners so be mindful about sharing the road. The trail is nice and wide to accommodate users going east and west and safe for a younger rider. This part of the trail is mostly shady and very scenic. Be sure to stop and look for the cows in the nearby fields.
At the Halsema/Camp Milton trailheads there are restroom facilities as well as benches, trash containers and mile markers. Near the Baldwin access (near mile marker 12) going east you do cross some main roads and a railroad track. Cross with caution, but rest assure the roads are visibly marked for pedestrian and bike crossings.
When you’re starting to feel tired, you can just turn around. Since the trail is smooth and paved, any bike can ride on it. I’ve seen tandem bikes, mountain bikes, beach cruisers and those with trailers attached for the kids.
If you want to increase your ride length it is easy to get off the trail at Baldwin and take Brandy Branch and Otis Rd which are good roads with light traffic to ride on. Stretches your ride from 30 (back and forth) to 45 + miles.
Address: 2 Imeson Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32220
The Timucuan Trail
The developing Timucuan Trail runs through both Talbot Island State Parks and is scenic and convenient; there is parking at both parks and bicycles are available for rent at Little Talbot State Park at the Ranger Station.
There are many unique natural sites to explore in this area so head out there early in the morning. You might even want to check out the sunrise at Big Talbot Island before embarking on your bike ride.
This 4.8-mile long and 10-feet wide paved trail offers beautiful, pristine areas for bird-watching and wildlife viewing, as well as beach access and camping opportunities. On the northern portion of the trail, the George Crady Bridge over the Amelia River is safe for pedestrians and bicyclists to use to connect to the Amelia Island Trail and its extra 7-miles of paved trails.
Eventually, the Timucuan Trail will extend further north to Amelia Island State Park and south to Hanna Park in Atlantic Beach, a total distance of 18 miles. This trail is also part of the larger trail network known as the East Coast Greenway, stretching from Florida to Maine.
Address: State Road A1A North, Jacksonville, FL 32226
