Cyclist riding on the Timberlake trail system.
Looking for a great place to bike on the Emerald Coast? The Florida panhandle has a great selection of cycling locations from Panama City to Pensacola, and the mild climate is perfect for year-round biking. Cycling enthusiast can look forward to trails with differing challenge ratings that range from beginner to advanced.
Fourteen miles north of Panama City cyclists can put wheels to dirt at Pine Log State Forest on either the 4 mile Dutch Tieman Trail or the 9 mile Crooked Creek Trail. Cyclists should familiarize themselves at the trailhead kiosk to avoid crossing onto the Florida Trail, which is for foot traffic only, or the Old Saw Mill that has been designated as a horse trail.
Located about 30 miles west of Panama City is Point Washington State Forest where cyclists have a choice of 3 double-track loop trails to tackle consisting of a 3, 5.75 or 10 mile trail totaling over 19 miles in length. Cyclists have the pleasure of traversing across 15,000 acres of thriving sandhill and wetland ecosystems where they also have a chance to see rare and endangered plants and animals that call this portion of Florida home.
In Fort Walton Beach cyclists can obtain a recreational pass through the Jackson Guard that will allow them access to over 26 miles of mountain biking trails maintained by the Emerald Coast Cyclists. A range map is available from the Jackson Guard with the purchase of a recreation pass and a map of the cycling trails can be obtained here.
In Pensacola at the University of West Florida are a series of trails maintained by both the UWF Mountain Bike Club and P.O.R.C. (Pensacola Off-Road Cyclists.) Start at the Pate Trailhead on Pate Road and enjoy close to 20 miles of trails. Near Milton plans are underway to create the Blackwater State Forest MTB Trail. This trail promises to open up between 8 to 10 miles of track to start with the potential of up to 50 miles of dirt track for cyclists.
Planning a trip to Florida? Bring a bike!
© 2010 Beverly Hill
