Along 30A, biking is a popular form of transportation/recreation that people of all ages can enjoy. It features a 30A biking trail that is upwards of eighteen miles in length. This means that you’ll never run short of places to bike and sight see! Biking your way through 30A is also part of the small-town coastal charm that 30A is known for. Cruising on a cycle allows you and your group to experience the unique shops, restaurants, and charming attractions that you might otherwise miss if you were driving by in a car. Read on below to learn more about a 30a Biking Trail!
Where to Go: Rental Shops and the Timpoochee Trail
Unless you decide to bring your own bikes on vacation, the chances are good that you’re going to need to pick up a rental bike to begin your biking journey across 30A. One of the bike rental companies that Prominence on 30A recommends is Salt Air Bike Rentals. They are conveniently located within the area, but if you are interested in seeing other rental options, be sure to check out our expansive list of 30A bike rental companies.
Once your bike rental is secured, you can set off on your own adventure and hit the expansive Timpoochee Trail, named after a Native American chief of the Euchee tribe. Spanning over eighteen and a half miles, this trail takes riders through state parks, beach access points, and dune lakes as you make your way through 30A’s most remarkable communities. The flat, easy trail runs parallel to the entire length of the Scenic Highway 30A. It stretches from its westernmost point (Dune Allen) to its furthest east portion (Inlet Beach). Below, we’ve broken down what you can expect to see on Timpoochee Trail mile by mile in a handy overview.
Mile 0: The beginning of the trail is located in Dune Allen, where Highway 30A breaks off from US Highway 98. The trail is on the west side of Highway 30A, and you can even stock up on snacks or supplies at the gas station, mini-mart, or Subway. The entrance to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is also located here, where you can pay a mere $2.00 to ride through the park if you’d like. The park has beautiful, untouched beaches, old coastal forests, and three rare coastal dune lakes.
Mile 1: The first milepost is located in Dune Allen, just before Van R. Butler Elementary School. Right after, you can see the first of the many coastal dune lakes located along the trail: Stallworth Lake. The popular restaurant Stinky’s Fish Camp will also pop up on your left, after which you’ll see Allen Lake, the next coastal dune lake.
Mile 2: Here, the trail crosses Dune Allen Regional Beach Access and ends up on the gulf side of the 30A. As you ride, you can look out over the glistening waters of the gulf until you reach the next restroom point, where you can also refill your water bottle. When you hit the trail again, it will cross back over the road and past Oyster Lake. Half a mile after that, you’ll find another mini-mart where you can stop for supplies if needed.
Mile 3: This mile marker is located at the intersection of Highway 30A and State Road 393, and also marks where you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants at Gulf Place. Pizza by the Sea and The Perfect Pig are two amazing restaurants that you can try while you’re here. Then, the trail crosses back over to the gulf side at Ed Walline Regional Beach Access. You can use the restroom, get a drink of water, and even take in the sights from a viewing tower.
Mile 4: At this point, you’ll encounter a number of fantastic restaurants where you can stop if you’re starting to grow hungry. Basmati’s Asian Cuisine will satisfy your cravings for something exotic. Another great option is Local Catch Bar & Grill that offers fresh seafood that’s to die for. Regardless of which restaurant you choose, you’ll want to make a photo pit stop at the adorable bridge between the two restaurants that look over Draper Lake.
Mile 5: This mile marker brings you to Blue Mountain Beach, the highest point in 30A. This peaceful beach was named for its profusion of gorgeous blue lupine flowers that dominate the dune landscape during the spring and summer. It’s also a great place to stop for a treat, such as the ice cream at Blue Mountain Beach Creamery or any of the restaurants or shops at Redfish Village on the intersection of Highway 30A and Highway 83. Big Redfish Lake is also located just outside of Blue Mountain Beach.
Mile 6: Congratulations! You’re now one-third of the way through Timpoochee Trail! The trail’s sixth coastal dune lake, Little Redfish Lake, is located here. There are a total of fifteen coastal dune lakes in the South Walton area, making them seem quite common; when in reality, the only other places in the world that have coastal dune lakes are: New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar, and Oregon.
Mile 7: Mile 7 brings on Alligator Lake and the first entrance to Grayton Beach State Park. Here, you can enjoy one of the most scenic, untouched stretches of beachfront in 30A. You can also visit Western Lake inside of this park, as well as explore the park’s many hiking and biking trails. At the intersection of Highway 30A and Highway 283, DeFuniak Street, you can choose between exploring Grayton Beach’s eclectic and colorful town. The local hotspots here are: Red Bar, Hurricane Oyster Bar, and the Shops of Grayton. If you continue on the trail you’ll see Uptown Grayton Center’s restaurants and shops!
Mile 8: If you haven’t diverted course into Grayton Beach State Park, you’ll reach Western Lake at this point—the largest dune lake in South Walton. Here, you can go canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking on the lake. The trail also merges with Highway 30A as you cross the two bridges over Western Lake, so you’ll want to proceed with caution.
Mile 9: You should now arrive at WaterColor which is a one-of-a-kind beach neighborhood in South Walton. Here, you can go shopping for that perfect souvenir, stop for refreshments, or even just explore this town that blends a beautiful natural setting with a quaint beachside vibe. The trail crosses the 30A here again and leads you to the charming town of Seaside—a town perfectly engineered for that walkable small-town experience. So much so that it was used as the “so perfect its fake” setting for the classic Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show. Seaside is an ideal place to stop for lunch or a snack from one of the iconic food trucks on Airstream Row, or for browsing the shops or restaurants in Central Square. The pastel-colored homes and tree-lined streets in this neighborhood are picture-perfect.
Mile 10: At Mile 10, you’ll arrive in Seagrove Beach located at the intersection of Highway 30A and County Road 395. Here, you’ll encounter a bike trail that diverges from the Timpoochee Trail to Point Washington State Forest. You can also stay on the Timpoochee Trail and grab a bite to eat at Old Florida Fish House before the trail crosses back to the gulf side.
Mile 11: Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta is located at this point. There are also a few other restaurants, some shops, a convenience mart, and a gas station where you can refuel your body or your supplies.
Mile 12: You are now on the final leg of the Timpoochee Trail, marked by the milepost at Seawater Drive. You can take in a gorgeous view of Eastern Lake here.
Mile 13: Thirteen miles into the trail, you’ll come across Deer Lake and Deer Lake State Park. This pristine area is protected from development, sheltering the delicate ecosystem here. You can bike, fish, and explore the preserved coastal dune habitat here.
Mile 14: Right after Deer Lake, you’ll find WaterSound, one of the newest neighborhoods in South Walton. WaterSound’s downtown area is worth checking out!
Mile 15: Mile 15 is your last chance for a great photo-op with one of the trail’s coastal dune lakes, Camp Creek Lake—especially if you happen to be biking in the area at sunset.
Mile 16: Seacrest Beach gives you and your group the opportunity to stop and refuel with some hearty Tex-Mex coastal cuisine at La Cocina, or to grab a sweet handmade treat at The Sweet Peddler. We recommend the saltwater taffy or the sea salt chocolate bars!
Mile 17: Alys Beach stands out from other spots in 30A for its gorgeous, all-white Mediterranean architecture, its iconic white butterflies, and its palm tree-lined section of 30A. You can stop for a nature hike, or for a bite to eat at George’s in Alys Beach or at Raw & Juicy.
After Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach offers New Orleans-style charm in the form of boutiques and galleries, a butterfly garden on the north side of town, and great restaurants like the Summer Kitchen Café, Cowgirl Kitchen, and the Sugar Shak.
Mile 18: Finally, the last mile of the trail ends in Inlet Beach, where you’ll find Shade’s Bar & Grill and a plethora of stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Reward your hard day’s ride with a meal at Shade’s and by spending a little time wandering through town!
Our 30A vacation experts are standing by, eager to give you the inside scoop on the amazing sightseeing and recreation you can enjoy when you reserve your lodgings in one of our fantastic vacation rentals today!