For bicyclists, biking in Key West is truly the best form of transportation. But if you want a longer ride without traffic, head for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
This trail goes from Key Largo to Key West, and one of the best sections comes at the very end in Key West.
I’ve ridden several sections of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail along US 1 through the Keys. This last stretch – Mile Marker (MM) 15 to MM 5 – stands out as one of the most scenic and safest sections.
Here’s why:
- You never have to contend with traffic. This whole section, including the bridges, is a trail separate from the busy Overseas Highway. NOTE: For the moment, this is no longer true, as the Shark Key Bridge on this route is closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022. It is slated to be repaired, but there is no estimated completion date at this point.
- There are a half dozen bridges, which offer the best views and scenery the Keys have.
- Long stretches of the trail have water views on one side or the other, and this is a less urban region within the Keys.
- In winter, there’s shade along many sections.
- There’s an appealing supplemental section out to Geiger Key.
- There’s a good place to park at the beginning (Baby’s Coffee) and good destinations to serve as turn-around spots (Key West Botanical Garden and/or Hogfish Bar and Grill, both on Stock Island.)
If you’re considering this ride, also see my overview on biking the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, including other recommended sections.
It’s a pleasure to start this ride at Baby’s Coffee, MM15 on the Overseas Highway. The coffee here is famously good, and Baby’s works to serve bicyclists by offering an air pump and locks. They welcome bicyclists parking here, but not overnight. While unloading our bikes, we met a group of friendly Indiana residents completing their four-day ride down the Keys and more bicyclists parked as we were leaving.
Along the way, the trail has periodic benches and a kiosk and the entire way is wide and smooth.
The only negative to this trail is the steady roar of traffic on the nearby Overseas Highway. You get used to it, but when you get a rare gap in the traffic, the sudden silence reminds you how great it would be to not hear engines.
If you want to ride a quieter section, consider adding on the 5 or 6 mile round-trip out to Geiger Key Marina and Boca Chica beach on Big Coppitt Key. If you’re heading south, take a left on Boca Chica Road at the Circle K at MM 10.
Geiger Key Marina is a popular restaurant, tiki bar and RV resort. (The food is delicious!) If you continue past the marina on Boca Chica Road, the road ends because of past hurricane damage and a walkable path continues along the water past the runway of the Key West Naval Air Station. Be warned: This isolated section is a clothing-optional beach.
This side-trip is about half way to Stock Island, which makes a good turn-around spot for a 20- or 25-mile ride. If you start in the heart of Keywest, this adds another 5 miles to the ride.
On Stock Island, we liked our hour-long visit to the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. As my article at this link suggests, It will delight plant-lovers with its unusual trees, jungly paths and turtles that gather when you play the chimes.
One of our favorite Key West restaurants is actually on Stock Island, and makes a great stop too. I write about it here: Hogfish Bar and Grill.
Our ride was slightly marred by an all-too-typical experience on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail – two flat tires. Be sure to bring spare inner tubes (alas, we left ours in the trunk and had to use a patch kit.) The Indiana riders we met say they patched four tires on the previous day. We’ve been advised that Kevlar-lined tires are a good idea.
Here are resources for biking in Key West and the Florida Keys:
- Tips on riding the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail and other highly recommended sections of the trail.
- Most recent trail brochure (PDF)
- Electric bikes ARE allowed on the Florida Keys Overseas Trail.
- State park website for Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
- Mile marker guide with dozens of stops to help make the most of your drive south.
Special things to discover in Key West
- Free things to do in Key West
- Key West on budget: Accommodations, restaurants
- Eight Key West restaurants for authentic local flavor
- Key West Butterfly Conservatory, a tranquil stop
- Audubon House, a lovely refuge in Key West
- Historic Key West Seaport
- Historic Key West Cemetery is full of stories
- Fort Zachary Taylor
- Key West chickens
The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.
Carole Schwartz
Friday 25th of September 2020
Bonnie and Bob, we continue to be very interested in all you explore. Your observations/recommendations have led to many interesting excursions. We've turned on friends to your blog and have met one couple several times based on your information. Keep on paddling and peddling and thanks for taking the time to write it all down for the rest of us..
Joe N
Friday 6th of March 2020
Very informative. I'm very interested in riding my bicycle there as I will be travelling there in a few weeks. Any information I can get regarding biking in the South Florida area will be appreciated.