SHARE

Boca Raton is a beautiful city to cycle around. The temperatures are consistently warm, ranging from a January low of 57.8 degrees to a July high of 90.3. This supremely bike-friendly destination offers ample opportunities for cycling activities. Biking is a great choice for your health, as it helps to increase your strength and stamina through low-intensity aerobic exercise. If you're ready for a ride, here are some great local trails to try.

El Rio Trail

The El Rio Trail runs nearly 5 miles alongside the El Rio Canal, beginning at Glades Road in the south and extending north to Congress Avenue along the northern city limits. If you park at Florida Atlantic University's guest parking lot, you'll have just a short walk to the trailhead. Biking beside the canal, you'll have an excellent chance of spotting local wildlife like iguanas, turtles, and great blue herons. Fishing is permitted in the canal if you'd like to stop for a peaceful break along the route.

The El Rio Trail is just east of Florida Atlantic University, making it a great pick for college students who want to add some recreation to their weekend. The underpass beneath Yamato Road connects to the Tri-Rail station. You'll find convenient bike lockers here that you can use if you're hopping on the Palm Tran or Tri-Rail.

Location: 599 Glades Road, Boca Raton.

East Coast Greenway

The East Coast Greenway is a massive bike route that extends 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. The Florida section alone encompasses almost 600 miles, entering the state at Fernandina Beach and extending all the way to Key West. The trail is accessible via a 3.1-mile A1A side path in Boca Raton. You can then follow the Boca Raton Beach Trail section, which is just over 5 miles.

If you continue north, you'll pass Atlantic Dunes Park and Anchor Park and reach Delray Beach. If you head south, the trail will take you to Hillsboro Beach, where it follows the Hillsboro River before jutting inland briefly in Pompano Beach. This long trail is perfect if you're planning a great bike trek.

Location: 1205-1201 North Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton.

Pondhawk Natural Area

The Pondhawk Natural Area is a great spot for birdwatching. It's home to white ibis, osprey, and black-necked stilt. A 2.7-mile trail loops around the preserve, offering convenient bike access to this picturesque spot. Though you can't take your bike off the paved path and into the natural area, you can enjoy the sidewalks that circle the lake. The trail is rarely crowded and offers a quiet experience. Consider bringing a snack and stopping to watch the sunset along the path.

Location: 1501 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton.

Patch Reef Trail

The out-and-back Patch Reef Trail is 3.5 miles long and includes asphalt and paved concrete. The multi-use trail caters to jogging, walking, and even leashed pets, so you should prepare to share the space. In most places, the trail is at least five feet wide, so there's plenty of room to share. You'll pass Lynn University and follow alongside the E4 canal from Yamato Road to Glades Road. Patch Reef Trail is among the most popular routes in the city.

Location: 2000 Yamato Road, Boca Raton.

Okeeheelee Park

In Okeeheelee Park, you'll find plenty of opportunities for biking and hiking. This park features eight miles of bicycle paths to help you fill your day with fun. If you venture east of Pinehurst Drive and south of Forest Hill Boulevard, you'll find four miles of mountain bike trails if you're looking for a more adventurous ride.

Okeeheelee even has a BMX park if you fancy some extreme action. You can rent bikes at the BMX park for just $20 a day. This is the perfect place to get started if you're interested in BMX racing. The park offers classes and training for novices, intermediate riders, and experts. You'll even find a mini track for balance bikes and balance bike racing for children aged 6 and under.

If you're looking for a diverse destination with more than just biking, it's hard to do better than Okeeheelee Park. Additional amenities include a canoeing/kayaking trail, equestrian trails, a nature center, a disc golf course, a dog park, a playground, picnic tables, a fitness trail, and even a water park.

Location: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach.

American Homes Park

If you're looking for a safe space to teach younger ones how to ride a bike, head to American Homes Park. The bike path here is just a tenth of a mile, so you'll have just enough space to practice. The park also features a playground, a picnic area, a drinking fountain, benches, and an exercise station, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful family fun day.

Location: 9779 Liberty Road, Boca Raton.

Downtown Boca Raton

Boca Raton won the Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Award from the League of American Bicyclists in 2021. The city actively works to create a bike-friendly landscape and provides more than 84 miles of bike lanes. If you want to take your biking adventure beyond Boca Raton, there are several bike-friendly options for reaching other cities. The TriRail system extends from West Palm Beach to Miami and features designated bike cars with 14-space bike racks. Complementary bike lockers are provided at most stations. The Palm Tran and Broward County Transit systems feature a bike rack on every bus.

You'll find plenty of places to park your bike in Boca Raton. Town Center at Boca Raton offers seven bike parking locations, making it easy to enjoy a day of shopping and recreation. If you need a little guidance for your bike route, you can sign up for a BikeCrUz tour. This three-hour excursion includes a tour of downtown and stops at four to six of the city's top bars and restaurants, where you'll enjoy exclusive food and drink discounts.

We love biking as a healthy way to stay fit and get that post-exercise glow. If you're looking for additional ways to improve your cardiovascular health, contact our team at the biostation. We offer diagnostic blood testing and various supplements and therapies to help you improve your health.

 

Person pedalling a bicycle by Murillo de Paula is licensed with Unsplash License