Magical theme parks, thrilling attractions, and one-of-a-kind experiences contribute to Orlando’s fast-paced, exciting atmosphere. But with over 150 miles of bike trails and 300 miles of bike lanes and multi-use paths, there are endless opportunities for you to slow down and see the city from a new perspective: a bicycle.
Offering a glimpse at Orlando’s natural side, tree-canopied trails pave the way to unexpected destinations, including art museums, locally owned restaurants, craft breweries and peaceful nature preserves. Join a tour or rent wheels for a few hours, the day, or the whole week, and set one of Orlando’s most cycling-friendly locales as your destination.
No bicycle? No problem. Bike rental companies are affordable and nearly as plentiful as Orlando’s abundance of bike trails. Most bike rental companies will deliver your bikes directly to your hotel or resort (delivery fees may apply). Or, rent bikes nearest to the trail you’d like to visit for a do-it-yourself cycling adventure.
West of Orlando in Winter Garden, the West Orange Trail is a former railway that has been repurposed into a peaceful, 20.8-mile paved, multi-use trail. Ancient live oaks provide dappled shade, while wildflowers, quaint neighborhoods, and nature preserves star as the passing scenery.
Start your quest at West Orange Bikes and Blades, where you can rent comfort bikes, bicycles that are built for leisurely, recreational use on paved paths, for $8 per hour, or $30 per day. Heading east, a 4.5-mile cruise will plant you in the heart of downtown Winter Garden. En route, stop for a walk along the boardwalk leading to Lake Apopka at Oakland Nature Preserve, and wander through the Butterfly Garden at Tildenville Outpost, both free to enjoy. While you’re downtown, meander through the local shops before refueling at Plant Street Market, an artisan market and food hall. Anchored at one end by local craft brewery Crooked Can, the market, which offers an inviting wraparound patio and a lively events calendar, serves as one of Winter Garden’s coolest and hippest hangouts.
Bikes are also available for rent from Winter Garden Wheel Works for $10 per hour adjacent to the Winter Garden Station, located just outside of downtown. If your travels take you in the other direction, notable sights venturing north towards Apopka include the playground and nature walk at Chapin Station (2.1 miles), and Chua Bao An Buddhist Temple at the Apopka-Vineland Outpost (8.6 miles).
For a dose of city life, head to downtown Orlando and travel part of the city’s forty-mile trail network. For visitors, one great option is to explore with a guided or DIY tour. If you’d rather choose your own adventure, take advantage of a local bike share, such as HOPR or LimeBike. Once you’ve located and rented a bike using each line’s mobile app, ride to your heart’s content before parking the bike at your final destination.
Speaking of destinations, the Orlando Urban Trail is one of the city’s best paved pathways, weaving three miles through the hip districts of Ivanhoe Village and Mills 50. The trail will lead you past Loch Haven Park, home to the Orlando Museum of Art, Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theater and Orlando Science Center. You’ll also cruise by picturesque lakes, colorful murals, and even a local craft brewery, Ten10 Brewing Company.
Recently, Orlando opened its first trail overpass bridge in Downtown, offering walkers and bicyclists a safe way to cross busy Colonial Drive, and continuing the goal of creating a Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail network. The quarter-mile bridge links the Orlando Urban Trail to Gertrude’s walk, thus providing cyclists a safer way to access downtown from points north of the city.
Offering the exact opposite of the hustle and bustle of the city, you can go off the beaten path—literally—at Grande Lakes, home of Ritz-Carlton Orlando and JW Marriott Orlando. The resort recently opened their new 2-mile Hidden Lake mountain biking trail, comprised of wooden boardwalks and dirt pathways. Available for overnight guests, access to the trail and a one-hour mountain bike rental is included in the resort fee and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pedal the adventurous trail on your own, or request a guide who will point out wildlife throughout your journey.
Another destination for a peaceful respite, Celebration is a charming master-planned community encapsulating the American dream—white picket fences, front porch living and all. Boardwalks and paved pathways link neighborhoods, lakes, and Market Street, the town’s epicenter of activity. Bikes are available for rent for $15 for a 2-hour rental from Celebration Bike Rental. Combine your visit with the weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market, or bookend your bike ride with a peaceful pause in a rocking chair along the waterfront, before indulging in a meal at one of the local eateries.
From nature-filled sojourns to urban adventure, there’s a perfect trail for every interest and skill level. Interconnected trails like the Cross Seminole Trail and Seminole Wekiva Trail provide endless miles of natural beauty, while commuter trails and connectors allow a safer and greener way to discover city hotspots. No matter which destination you choose, seeing Orlando from the seat of a bicycle is an invitation to downshift the pace of your getaway, if only for the day.
