Marathon, Florida Bike Trails & Paths To Explore
Marathon, FL, is undoubtedly a great place for bike riding. It offers varied terrain, good weather, and stunning scenery. The city has a wide selection of bike trails and paths to explore. Whether you're keen to explore paved trails or dirt bike paths, you're sure to find the ideal route to suit your needs.
Off-road bike rides in one of Marathon's nature parks and beaches can make you feel energized and revitalized. They allow you to experience the city in a captivating way. The trail networks available in the metropolitan area are some of the best in the state. Marathon FL bike trails, such as the Coco Plum Beach area, Curry Hammock State Park, Crane Point Hammock, and the Marathon Community Park, provide something for all cyclists, irrespective of age.
The best part is that the trails are available to the city's residents and visitors alike. If you don't own a bicycle or need one as a visitor, you can take advantage of Marathon, FL, bike rental services.
The trails in this city are nearer to well-known bike paths in areas like the Florida Keys. Examples of adjacent bike trails include:
- The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
- Long Key State Park
- Seven Mile Bridge
- Long Key Bridge
- Overseas Highway
- Sombrero Beach
- Bahia Honda State Park
Each bike Lane offers a distinctive experience that'll keep you coming back for more. You can find detailed maps of the bike trails, Florida state parks, the East Coast, Lauderdale, Big Pine Key, the Seven Mile Bridge, Duck Key, Islamorada, Key West, Indian Key Historic State Park, Key Largo, Lower Keys, Key Deer, and other areas of interest.
Many locals and visitors participate in bike riding and other adventure activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and diving in the Atlantic ocean. Doing so enriches your experience in Marathon, FL.
Some trails in the city are ideal for seniors looking to enjoy the views without straining muscles and joints. Marathon Community Park is a good example of local recreational areas that provide access to bike paths suitable to older bicyclists.
Bike riding in Marathon and other parts of Florida is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors and bolster your fitness. Depending on your age and adventure preferences, you can explore simpler or more challenging trails. Many bike paths allow you to explore the area at your own pace without straining joints and muscles.
Whether you explore the local state parks, beaches, historic bridges, or community parks, you can ride either solo or in groups to suit your preferences. In addition, you'll find a wide selection of bike shops and bike racks for your convenience.
Curry Hammock State Park
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Located in Grassy Key, Marathon, this park covers more than 1,100 acres and provides access to several bike trails. You can explore its chain of islands and dramatic terrain overlooking Florida Bay. In addition, it hosts a significant population of thatch palms and bird species, such as the white-crowned pigeon. Many locals and visitors come to the park to view the beautiful hardwood hammock, featuring an extensive surface cap rock.
The park's bike trail is accessible via the western entrance. It's vital to wear close-toed shoes when exploring the path due to the presence of extensive cap rock. You can take breaks from biking by spending time at the picnic spots near the kayak launch area located along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
Additionally, you can enjoy the scenery by walking around the park. As you explore nature paths in the park, you can also cycle on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. According to park rules, cyclists should restrict activities to the roadways. The restriction helps preserve the park's natural areas. For this reason, you should avoid cycling boardwalks, footpaths, nature trails, and restroom ramps.
Curry Hammock State Park is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. Examples of experiences you can expect in this park include:
- Fishing
- Camping
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Paddling
- Bicycling
- Hiking
- Picnicking
As you enjoy the park's surroundings, you can also explore the stunning oceanfront and seagrass. The area is overflowing with raptors flying overhead as they migrate to nearby areas in the winter months.
On the other hand, the vast calm flats adjacent to the reefs provide a fascinating glimpse into marine life. Moreover, they play a crucial role as a marine nursery for various sea animals.
You gain access to three distinctive trails in the park: Curry Hammock Nature Trail, Grassy Key Trail, and Overseas Heritage Trail. Curry Hammock Nature Trail lets you explore the state park's bayside, which forms a fascinating loop. Meanwhile, Grassy Key Trail stretches for 4.4 linear miles via the park.
For a distinctive island hopping experience, explore the Overseas Heritage Trail, which features a wide array of aquamarine attractions. The trail also features coconut palms, giving it a unique tropical vibe.
Crane Point Hammock
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Located in the center of Marathon, Crane Point Hammock is a natural paradise that attracts bikers and people looking to enjoy bird watching and nature trips. It covers 63 acres of stunning tropical hammock. You can explore the loop trail as part of a group of cyclists or a sole biker.
The trail provides an opportunity to view wildlife near Marathon Shores. Depending on your plans, you can explore the trail with your four-legged friend during weekdays or on weekends. Crane Point Hammock was the first trail developed in Marathon.
It also hosts two museums: the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and the Children’s Museum. You can explore these two attractions and a medieval homestead while taking breaks from bicycling.
The Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys provides a glimpse of Keys history. It also features an ancient dugout canoe and an artificial reef. If you cycle around Crane Point Hammock with children, you can take them to the Children's Museum, displaying various outdoor exhibits. These exhibits include a railroad station, a pirate ship, and the Native American homestead.
As you cycle around the area, you'll encounter several interpretive trails that take you through a dense tropical hardwood hammock. Meanwhile, the Palm Trail features a variety of unique plants, such as the pitch apple (autograph tree) and the joewood. The bike paths also reveal hardwood hammock that comes with solution holes.
When you explore the Mangrove Trail, you will discover a mangrove tunnel that runs along a boardwalk. In this area, you're sure to enjoy the captivating views on both sides of the trail. Stunning queen palms and tropical hammock border the trail.
At the end of the path, there's the Marathon Wild Bird Center, which provides a sanctuary for rescued wildlife. The facility also acts as a rehabilitation center.
Marathon Community Park
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Located along 36th Street, Marathon Community Park is ideal for anyone planning to enjoy some quality time outdoors. The recreation center hosts a skate park, sports fields, an amphitheater, restrooms, sports courts, picnic areas, and biking paths.
You can take your children out for a ride in the park and enjoy various other amenities. The exercise path is the ideal space for bicycling; the area features 10 stations for jogging and biking. On the other hand, refreshments are available via the concession stand in the middle of the park. As such, you can stay refreshed throughout the day as you enjoy biking in the dedicated trails.
It's also possible to play various sports like tennis and basketball before or after exploring the biking paths. Likewise, you can settle down for a picnic with your family and friends. The park also hosts events, such as the Pigeon Key Arts Festival and the seafood festival.
Coco Plum Beach
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This pristine beach provides a captivating environment to engage in bicycling activities. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, it lies close to a wetland area, allowing you to enjoy numerous natural wonders. Many people come to the beach to view turtles that nest in the area. You can expect to see various turtle species, including Atlantic green turtles, leatherbacks, Hawksbill turtles, and loggerheads.
If you're looking for a secluded area to enjoy bicycling, you'll find Coco Plum Beach favorable. It's the right place to explore bike trails and catch some sun. This beach is also dog-friendly, making it the perfect place to spend with your four-legged friend as you cycle on the beachfront.
A significant number of locals and visitors consider the area as more relaxing and quieter than Sombrero Beach. Although smaller, Coco Plum Beach provides access to decent amenities, including a restroom and a pavilion. To find the entrance area to the beach, take Coco Plum Blvd.