Explore the best rated trails in Ft Walton Beach, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Old Brick Road Trail and Pensacola Beach Trail . With more than 7 trails covering 64 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.
Had a blast with my wife! Rode to Seaside for some good Greek food from one of the food trucks. Easy riding! If you want beach scenery you’ll need to leave the main trail. This is one we will do again. We rented our bikes from Rideit on Santa Rose ¿ Beach.
Took my dog with me and literally wore us both out. Very nice trail with lots of shade, flora and fauna.
My wife has limited use of her left side but enjoys riding her e-trike. We stayed in Panama City Beach for 10 days and this was our go to trail to ride.
We parked at Frank Brown Recreation Complex with easy access to the trail. The surface is very smooth and well maintained. We would ride south to the colony, taking the side trail and two other paved paths that went along the highway. Traffic at the crossings was very courteous and stopped to let us cross each time. We could get nearly 10 miles in without retracing our side trails this way.
On one occasion we did ride to the other park, crossing the busy highway at the light. A note of caution however, I guided her trike halfway across the road before letting her go under her own power. I did not realize there was a sharp left turn on the other side. Just as she needed to make that turn, her e-trike surged, and she nearly lost control. She could have ended up going down an embankment and into the water. Thankfully she did not.
We sure appreciated the effort put into developing these trails. Although not crowded, lots of people were enjoying them.
The trail is narrow & crosses the road several times as it passes through beach towns on the Gulf of Mexico. The scenery is pretty decent. I rode it on a weekday in February & it was pretty busy. It's worth the time if you're in the area.
Left Rosemary Beach and headed west on Friday, February 2nd, 2024. Road and trail was completely closed around Mile 13..no way to detour…planning on 30 miles plus with lunch in Seaside..had to turn back. Deer Lake Park was worth the visit.
The trail is awesome with several bridges over more than 11 lakes, meandering through several beach towns and neighborhoods. There’s public beach access along the way as well as many restaurants, coffee shops, bike shops and other retail. At mile marker 5 from the east of Inlet Beach, the trail/road over Deer Lake is all torn up. I was able to walk around the construction because no one was around on Christmas Eve Day when I did the ride, but normally you probably wouldn’t be able to. I was able to complete the entire trail from Shades Bar and Grill on the east trailhead to Topsail Hill State Park on the west end. Loved the adventure. Hybrid bike on all paved trails; 5 hours to complete; 40 miles out and back; 11mph; 650 ft elevation. (flat)
Sure it’s a bit busy and “townie” in the middle but it’s a charming, well maintained and absolutely beautiful ride. The sand dunes and birds with the ocean sounds in the background. We thoroughly enjoyed this trail.
I've done this trail 3x now. Last year just out to the Base, & this year 2 times with the wife. Great ride, the last leg before the base is the only trying hill & it was a Very windy day, but that made for a Zoom back to town Had lunch at Cosse's when we finished.
We had planned to ride the Pensacola beach trail, but changed our minds after seeing the beach crowds we would have to navigate around. Instead, we drove out to Milton and rode the Blackwater Heritage State Trail. So glad we did! We entered the trail at the visitor center in Milton and rode to the naval air station and back twice, giving us about 32 miles total. The trail was very well maintained, with occasional benches and several restrooms well spaced all along the length of the trail. Before getting out of Milton (perhaps the first mile after the visitor center), we had to cross several small-town roads, after which the crossings were less frequent but a bit more challenging. Nothing we couldn't handle, though.
The countryside we passed through along the ride was mostly pretty and interesting. When we got close to the air station, we felt like we were vaguely surveilled by a helicopter, but no one approached or bothered us. Overall, a great ride that we would gladly do again!
I was a little worried about taking my road bike on this trail based on some reviews, but it was actually pretty great! It's not the same as riding on a wide shoulder on sparse roads, but the foot/slower bike traffic isn't bad, and there's plenty of room to pass. the path is pretty well maintained. the biggest issue is a few points where you have to cross the road and switch sides. Still, I averaged about 16.5 mph and could have gone a bit faster if I wanted to. You're not going to get race training in here, but if you just want to get the legs moving, this is a great option.
The only 20+ mile trail in the area. Cobble together this trail and the Pensacola Beach trail and the ample bike lanes in between and toward Ft Pickens and you get a really fun and scenic ride. Pay attention to wind direction and speeds.
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