Explore the best rated trails in Vero Beach, FL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Okeechobee Road Path and Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail. With more than 9 trails covering 172 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We rode the Moore haven East section of the trail from Moore Haven to Clewiston on Sunday January 28, 2023. The 11.5 mile trail (23 mile round trip) is a smooth, very wide , paved trail which follows the top of the elevated dike and provides expansive views of the fields , canals and Lake. There are vehice gates at each end and two near the middle with pedestrian/ bike pass thrus to one side. We parked in a huge, paved parking lot at the Moore Haven damn, suitable for cars, trucks and RV's. What a great bike ride.
We rode this on our Ebikes 12/22/2022. The Jungle parking lot and restrooms were open as was the parking lot for the Pelican Island Nature Walk. The road is wide and hard packed sand. Pretty smooth overall. Great jungle scenery. Even though you are on a populated barrier island it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. Then part of the road runs along the channel inlet and past gorgeous houses and boats. We rode the whole 8 miles then caught the A1A road back up to the trailhead parking lot. Fun to do once for sure.
Went to ride this today, however, the road is closed to the parking lot for the jungle trail. Also, the Pelican Island National Reserve was closed. Probably due to storm damage was our guess.
I would agree with everything said above re: conditions of the road. I would only add that I started at the northern end of the Old Dixie Highway bridge and used bike lanes to get to the south end of the GRP. From the bridge to the north end at Walton Road was exactly 7 miles, so it is adequate if you want a 10-14 mile workout. Only one big traffic intersection and one relatively easy roundabout to contend with along the whole expanse. Agree that I wouldn’t travel out of my way for this trail, but it’s nice to have close by.
This rating (1 star) is for those interested in inline skating on this trail. At the very beginning, there’s a long straight stretch of flat pavement that’s perfect. But it doesn’t last long… I’d guess half a mile in, it turns to terribly bumpy asphalt. Unless you’re looking for the shortest of runs, I’d ignore this trail for inline skating.
My husband and I biked from Pahokee Campground towards Belle Grade, which was mostly paved, for a 15 mile round trip ride yesterday. Today we rode in the opposite direction to Port Mayaca for a 25 mile ride. That section is mostly dirt/gravel but well packed. Saw lots of wildlife, of course gators and many birds including eagles.
While I ride the stretch from the Sebastian Inlet bridge to Melbourne beach proper, I don't consider it great. You have two choices, ride on the fairly well maintained sidewalk, or in the road. The mamils in their spiffy colors and 5k bikes ride on the road. The are crazy. There is no bike lane, and at times the speed limit is 55, which means cars are passing you inches away at 65mph. Remember, this is the land of Q-tips driving, and texters. You have to be out of your mind. The side walk is fine to ride on. Wind can be brutal, I time it so the wind is at my back on the way home. There are lots of little side roads to explore as well. The stretch from the bridge to Vero is awful. The sidewalk here is individually poured concrete sections, and you will thump/thump for 20 miles. Terrible ride.
We enjoyed a ride at the northern end on a sunny day in February. We started at Lake Okeechobee Park heading clockwise (east). WARNING- just about a mile east of the park the trail stops at Taylor Creek. You have to ride to the busy road and cross the creek on a short bridge with no shoulder. If you aren’t used to riding in traffic you won’t like it. Then getting back on the trail requires going down a road with no trespassing signs. On our return trip the road was closed with a locked gate and we had to walk around it over some rough terrain to get out. From the park you have 24 miles of beautiful trail along the levee with views of lake and canal till that segment ends. But I don’t understand how a bike trial can have such difficult access issues.
This is a great scenic trail, the only down side is that cars are allowed on this road also. With lots of sharp corners, it can be scary at times wondering if a car is coming the other way. But overall great scenery!
After striking out at the Moore Haven and Clewiston sites (closed), we went to Belle Glade and road up to Pahoke. When this trail is finished it will be magnificent!
Talked to Clewiston COC. They say that the trail is open in Belle Glade. We’ll check it out tomorrow.
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