10 Great Bike Trails to do with Kids

Once the kids master the tricycle and later get accustomed to 2 wheels, they are ready for family explorations!  What better way to bond with each other and encourage this new skill than by choosing some biking adventures to do together?  Well maintained bicycle trails abound in the South Florida area.  We have selected some of our favorite locations for an enjoyable family bike ride!

1) Hollywood Beach Bike Trail (Broward County) *Level Easy*

Riding along the Hollywood broadwalk bike trail feels like the quintessential "Florida" experience.  You have the shore on one side and a bevy of shops and cafes on the other.  Aside from occaisionally having to look out for the wandering pedestrian on a busy day, this trail is a relatively easy bike path for all ages!  The path totals about 2.5 miles long but you can, of course, stop whenever you wish to enjoy all that Hollywood Beach has to offer.  Be sure to stop off at the Charnow Park splash pad to refresh or take a dip in the Ocean!  This is the best trail for a leisurely slow ride.  If you have the stamina, you can continue north for miles along a route through North Beach Park onto Surf Road.  Don't have a bike?  Don't worry there are plenty to rent along the broadwalk, including those family cycles where all of you can fit and pedal together.

2) South Dade Rail Trail (Miami-Dade county) *Level Intermediate*

Operated by Miami Dade County Parks and Recreation, this 20 mile long asphalted trail follows the old Florida East Coast Railway Corridor, navigating through a mix of urban and rural landscapes. Perfect for cycling and inline skating enthusiasts, this trail has enough width to accommodate parallel riding, and features a host of amenities including numerous bus stops, metro rail stations, rest rooms, shopping and eateries.  Stop by the Dadeland Mall or Cutler Mall on this route or take a break and ride the Metrorail for part of the way!  This is an easy route but due to it's length and urban nature it is better for older more experienced riders.  Learn more about this trail here.

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3) Rickenbacker Trail (Miami Dade County) *Level Intermediate*

People who love their biking trails to offer some spectacular views should look no further than this popular causeway. This trail traverses the entire island of Key Biscayne, and takes the rider through some popular Miami destinations including Virginia Key Beach, Crandon park, Bill Baggs State Park (& Lighthouse) and the Seaquarium.  Enjoy the sea breezes and make sure to allot time to enjoy the sites along the way!  The path is smooth and easy but the distance may be too much for small kids to do on their own.  Learn more about this route here.  Plan your route using this great map of the trail.
 

4) Amelia Trail (Miami Dade County) *Level Varies*

Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah offers bicycle rentals and multiple levels of mountain biking trails. These off road trails provide a rugged mountain biking experience with expansive, but winding pathways. Give your little Floridians an experience that isn't the flat-land they are used to riding on.  Thickly covered with pine trees and other flora, these trails are perfect for biking enthusiasts of all experience levels.
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5) Oleta River State Park (Miami Dade County) *Level Varies*

Catering to the entire spectrum of biking enthusiasts, the Oleta trail features a 14 mile long multi-level path. The Park features a dedicated 4 mile long trail exclusively for beginners, while experienced riders can enjoy a more challenging terrain with well over 10 miles of track. The park has a helmet loan facility for riders who forget to bring their own. 

6) Ocean Boulevard Path (Palm Beach County) *Level Easy* 

With 4.7 miles of asphalted surface, the Ocean Boulevard is a popular trail for both riders and inline skating enthusiasts. The best parts of this trail is the area within Boca Raton.  Families are advised to use the paved recreational path NOT the bike lane along the street with it's intense speed bikers. You can start at the southern end of the trail, with its residential areas, and reach three of the most popular parks - Spanish River Park, Red Reef Park, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and South Beach park - up on the northern end.  Bring your beach gear and take a break from biking to let the kids romp in the surf and sand!  Make a day of it by strapping on some picnic food to feast on at the beach!
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7) Markham Park Mountain Biking Trail (Broward County)  *Level Varies*

Spanning well over 10 miles of challenging terrain, Markham Park has something for everyone, from novice to pro rider. Remember, that this is a mountain biking trail, so only mountain bikes are allowed, and helmets are a must. Markham has so many other things to enjoy as well as the trails.  Bring along Fido to enjoy Barkham at Markham dog park or watch the airfield for remote controlled planes taking off!  Consider camping at the park and enjoying the playgrounds, tennis, boat rentals, disc golf and more.  If you stay overnight, you'll have plenty of time to explore and complete miles of trails!

8) Quiet Waters Trail (Broward County) * Level Varies* 

One of the State's most beautiful parks is best explored on a bike. Quiet Waters Park features a 7 miles long trail suited for riders of every level of experience. The trails here have been developed under the supervision of International Mountain Biking Association, and offer a truly world class experience. For people who do not have a mountain bike, there's good news as the Park offers dual-suspension and hard trail mountain bikes on rent. 
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9) The Lake Trail (Palm Beach County) *Easy*

Take this 5-mile smooth and pavel Lake Trail along the island of Palm Beach for views others pay millions for!  The bike path winds along safely away from traffic.  Ride past spectacular mansions and peak into their backyards.  See the yachts docked along the Intracoastal and pause along the way to take in some post-card perfect views.  Combine this leisurely ride with some window shopping downtown, a trip to the historic Flagler Museum or  grab lunch at a swanky eatery.  This is a path that the entire family from the kids to the grandparents can enjoy!  Get some more great information on this trail here.

10) Riverbend Trails (Palm Beach County)  *Easy*

Riverbend Park in Jupiter is a wonderful 680 acre park with miles and miles of hard-packed trails. These trails are used by cyclists and hikers alike and are great for viewing native wildlife.  The kids will love spotting the animals while going at a leisurely pace.  These are not trails made for speed but are meant to be scenic.  Enjoy the variety of habitats: shady woods, marshes, rivers and more.  The short loops are the perfect size for kids just getting into biking.  Get lots more detailed information about the trip here.