If you're vacationing in one of the lovely Sandestin Beach rentals along the region known as the Beaches of South Walton, Florida, make sure you take a bicycle ride in the area. The 26-mile stretch of beaches on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast is ideal for just that.
Point Washington State Forest
With more than 15,000 acres of wetlands, sandhill, basin swamps, wet prairie and cypress swamps, Point Washington State Forest offers visitors a variety of opportunities for natural resource-based outdoor recreation. It features more than 10 miles of off-road trails that will both delight and challenge cyclists, the most popular of which is the Eastern Lake to Cassine Garden route. There cyclists can spot endangered species of animals such as the gopher tortoise or the red-cockaded woodpecker. Aside from biking, visitors can also hike through a portion the Great Florida Birding Trail, as the forest is part of the 2,000 mile trail that unifies bird sites throughout the state of Florida.
Eastern Lake Bike Trail
Located on the southern part of Walton County, just off the Gulf of Mexico, the Eastern Lake Bike Trail is a famous destination for off-road biking along Florida's Emerald Coast. Point Washington State Forest's first trail system, the year-round trail has 3 loops with varying lengths for biking: 3.5, 5.75 and 10 miles. Bikers pedaling along the 10-mile loop will have the chance to see Eastern Lake. There, cyclists can see herons - Louisiana, great, blue and green-backed - swooping around, raccoons running through the marsh, and even possibly, alligators. Off-road bikers may access the trail from the trailhead situated on County Road 395, just 1 mile south of US Highway 98.
Scenic Route 30A
A back road that passes through the countryside and the villages of Alys Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Watercolor and Seagrove Beach, Scenic Route 30A offers 18.6 miles of paved path that is ideal for those who want to cycle leisurely. The picturesque bike trail runs between Destin to the west and Panama City Beach to the east. Amateur and avid cyclists will have the opportunity to see 11 rare coastal dune lakes, sparkling sugar-white sand beaches and stunning natural wonders found almost exclusively along the Gulf Coast. Because of zoning laws, bikers' views won't be blocked by billboards, strip malls and garish storefronts. Instead, they will have the chance to enjoy nature, stop by quaint shops for antiques and dining places for the freshest seafood and explore both New Urbanist communities and beach cottage villages.
Village of Baytowne Wharf
Sandestin, the oldest and western-most residential-resort community in the area, has incorporated the Village of Baytowne Wharf into its property. On the north side half of the resort, which is easily accessible from your Sandestin rental, you can rent a bike and pedal around the marina and the nature trail. There are two loops: one that is 2 miles long, another that is 3.2 miles long.
Bike Rentals
- 30-A Bike Rentals, (850) 865-7433
- Big Daddy's Bikes & Beach Sport, (850) 622-1165
- Butterfly Bike & Beach Rentals, (850) 231-2826
- Seaside Bike Shop, (850) 231-2314
- SoWalBikes, (850) 267-4971
Appreciate the beauty of Florida's Emerald Coast through cycling. Vamoose.com can help you choose a beach rental in the South Walton Beaches area that will suit your needs.