Best Hiking & Walking Trails in Miami
Why not take a break from your routine and head out to one of Miami Living's favorite hiking and walking trails? After all, when you walk you will improve your mood, help you lose weight, while lowering your blood pressure and improving your heart rate. Furthermore, waking strengthens your muscles, supports your joints and also improves your sleep! Just don't forget your bottle of water and sunscreen!
Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, the American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther. It is an international treasure as well - a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area under the Cartagena Treaty. And the Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the lower 48 states, covering 2,400 square miles!
There is no shortage of activities for individuals, groups, or families to enjoy outdoors. The diverse habitats allow for enjoyable activities ranging from hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping in the ultimate wilderness.
Popular Trails at Everglades National Park
Sorry, pets are not allowed on any of the park's trails!
Pine Island Trails
Anhinga Trail
Gumbo Limbo Trail
Pinelands Trail
Pahayokee Overlook
Mahogany Hammock Trail
Pine Island Hiking and Bike Trails
Flamingo Trails - Short Interpretive Trails:
West Lake Trail
Snake Bight Trail
Rowdy Bend Trail
Christian Point Trail
Bear Lake Trail
Eco Pond Trail
Guy Bradley Trail
Bayshore Trail
Coastal Prairie Trail
Shark Valley Trails
Otter Cave Hammock Walking Trail
Bobcat Boardwalk Walking Trail
Gulf Coast Trails
Gulf Coast Water Trails: Paddlers can access many miles of the Gulf Coast Water Trails along or near the park's southern and western coasts.
Other Trails
The following trails are passable, but not maintained, due to the presence of federally endangered species. Travel them at your own risk!
Coastal Prairie, Snake Bight, Rowdy Bend, Christian Point, Bear Lake as they are critical habitat for Cape Sable thoroughwort.
Long Pine Key Bike Trail: Critical Habitat and presence of Florida leafwing and Bartram's scrub hairstreak butterflies and their host plants.
Address: 40001 State Road 9336. Homestead, FL 33034
Telephone: (305) 242-7700
Website: Everglades National Park
Thirty minutes from downtown Miami, this gorgeous park is bisected by its namesake waterway that breathes life into this spectacular natural oasis of hardwood hammocks and mangroves.
While biking the 15 miles of off-road bicycling trails or paddling along lush mangrove forests on the Oleta River, it is difficult to believe Oleta River State Park exists in the shadow of downtown Miami.
At just over a thousand acres, this natural oasis—Florida’s largest urban park—is a haven for mountain bikers, paddlers, anglers, and of course waking and hiking. Enjoy a 1.9 mile loop trail featuring beautiful wild flowers and is rated as easy (moderate) trail. The trail is accessible year-round and dogs are allowed but your pet must be kept on leash.
Address: 3400 NE 163rd St. North Miami Beach FL 33160 Telephone: (305) 919-1846
Website: Oleta River State Park
Experience breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay from atop the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse. Visitors can delve into history on guided tours through the lighthouse and keeper’s cottage or explore the park on foot, on a bicycle or by boat or kayak.
Nature trails are located on the west side of the park. To the north is a trail through the mangrove wetlands, beginning 100 feet north of the Boater's Grill parking area. A trail through the coastal strand runs from 100 feet east of the Boater's Grill parking area and travels south ending in Area D.
At Cape Florida State Park, you will access a 1.5 mile nature trail loop located between the lighthouse and marina. There is a fee to enter the state park and the trail is considered low to moderate level. Restrooms are available and the trail is open and mostly shadeless. It is recommended to use adequate sun protection and be sure to bring lots of water.
Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, United States
Website: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, located off the Rickenbacker Causeway, is just minutes away from the Miami’s downtown financial centers, top tourist destinations, sport facilities, retail, dining and renowned educational institutions. In an era of dire circumstances coupled with urban sprawl, the park offer a unique retreat offering green public spaces full of nature, history, preservation and recreation.
Virginia Key offers the only replenished, mile-long shoreline within the City of Miami. It is ideal for those looking to enjoy a walk or bike while enjoying Miami's sparkling blue sea.
Mountain Bike Trail
If you are into biking, The Virginia Key Mountain Bike Trail is a must visit trail. Located on the north end of Virginia Key, the mountain trail was built by hand through volunteers from the Virginia Key Bike Club (VKBC) with resources provided by the City of Miami. The trails have been built to allow all levels of bicyclists
Key Information
The bike trail is open from Sunrise to Sunset, 7 days a week
Helmets must be worn when on a bike, in the park, whether on the surface roads or trails
Located off the Rickenbacker Causeway, directly across from the parking lots for the Miami Seaquairum, turn left into the Virginia Key Beach entrance, pay toll, drive up Arthur Lamb Road and take the fork to the left. ( for those familiar with the old Jimbo’s location, the trails are near there.)
Biking Trail Fees
Weekdays - $6
Weekends and Holidays - $8
Buses - $25
Annual Fee - $150
Biking Trail Levels
There are 3 distinct levels of trails Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each trail has what is called a qualifier, basically if you are able to ride up, down or through the first 20 feet of a trail, you should not have any problems with the rest of the trail.
Novice. Novice trails are fairly flat and have only minor elevation changes.
Intermediate. Intermediate trails have climbs and drops with only moderate elevation changes, there are also bermed corners which are meant to be taken at speed for the highest level of enjoyment. Intermediate trails will also have some elevated sections where your balance may be tested.
Advanced. Advanced Trails have a qualifier at the entrance. If you are able to complete the qualifier, that is ride up or down without having to put your feet down, then you should be able to ride the rest of the trail. Generally Advance trails have difficult technical climbs with fast technical descents. (Really hard up, but really fast down!) Trails will generally have elevated bridges, exposed rocks and hairpin turns.
Virginia Key Mountain Biking Trail Map
Address: 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami-Dade, Florida, 33149, United States
Telephone: (305) 960-4600
Website: Virginia Key Beach Park
Fairchild connects families with art, nature and conservation. If you become a member, you will have unlimited daytime admission to Fairchild, including festivals and events, while also giving the necessary funding for education, conservation, horticulture and much more. The tropical park is ideal for waking while enjoying one of the most beautiful tropical natural settings in the United States. The 1.7 mile moderate trail is good for all levels and it is accessible year-round.
Telephone: (305) 667-1651
Website: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
This self-guiding trail winds through a sawgrass marsh, where you may see alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets, and many other birds, especially during the winter. This is one the most popular trails in the park because of its abundance of wildlife.
Trail Length: 0.8 miles (1200 meters) round trip
Bicycles Allowed: No
Address: Homestead, FL 33030, United States
Telephone: (305)242-7700
Website: Anhinga Trail
This self-guiding, paved trail meanders through a shaded, jungle-like hammock of gumbo limbo trees (Bursera simaruba), royal palms (Roystonea elata), ferns, and air plants. It starts from the Royal Palm Visitor Center, four miles (6 km) from the main park entrance, Ernest Coe Visitor Center.
Trail Length: 0.4 miles (600 meters) round trip
Address: Homestead, FL, US 33034
Telephone: (305) 242-7700
Website: Gumbo Limbo Trail