Southern Glades Trail, South FL Eco-biking...

Canal Biking

Southern Glades Trail starts along SR 9336 outside Everglades National Park, about 1 mile east of the Coe Visitor Center. From the small parking area, it runs south and east 13 miles along the C111 canal through the Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area to Manatee Bay. The trail is used by bikers, hikers, and equestrians.

Overview Map... Southern Glades Trail

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Location: Miami-Dade County (See map)
Mileage: 13 miles (more connecting)
Trailheads and Parking: Along SR 9336
Surface: Limestone, gravel
Nearby Points of Interest: Everglades National Park, Everglades Alligator Farm

Bike Shops/Rentals: N/A

Page Summary:

Eco-biking on Southern Glades Trail
North - Trailhead at SR 9336
South - at US1
More Information and Resources

Eco-biking on Southern Glades Trail... Comments and Photos

There are no facilities on the trail, bring water, sunscreen, and (since the mosquitoes can be brutal) insect repellant. The rough surface will (for most) be generally slower biking, so if going for any distance, a good rule is to bring more the water than you think you'll need.

Wildlife along the canal include fish, alligators, turtles, snakes, hawks and other birds.

Trailhead at SR 9336

At SR 9336 a parking area is on the east side of the canal. Past the gate, a gravel path runs straight along the canal. This is bikeable, but is not the trail. Rather, cross over the lock to the west side of the canal for the trail.
There's a gate at the trail start, but the opening is too small to roll a bike through so either lift it over, OR go to the actual access - further to the right through a smaller gateway.
At first, there are some larger rocks in the trail surface, but then it becomes smaller gravel and is an easier ride. Mostly unshaded, the view is fairly unchanging, between the canal and prairie/tree line. We rode about 2 miles, then returned.
The trail crosses to the eastern side of the canal in about 6 miles. From here, continue south toward Manatee Bay, or go north on another leg along the C111E canal to SR 9336 (see map).

Note: To the north, across SR 9336, the path continues along the canal as part of the Biscayne-Everglades Greenway.

At the Trailhead

At the trailhead

Entry off SR 9336

Through the gate

Cross over the lock

C111 canal

To trail access

Along the Trail

Along the trail

Dirt bikers across the canal

At US 1

Near the south end, where the trail runs under US 1, parking and a boat ramp are located off US 1 - on the east side of the canal across from the trail.
We have not ridden the trail here. We saw no trail signage and it's unclear how to cross the canal to access the trail. We're guessing that crossing over the lock is the way to go but there's a gate blocking the road past the boat ramp so we were unsure about proceeding. We'll check further on another trip, but if anyone has more information please email us: floridatrails@fastmail.com
Across the bridge along US 1 over the canal there's also a ramp going down to the trail, but it's shut off with "Keep Out," "No Trespassing" signs.

Note: Continuing along US 1 to the south, it's just 10 miles to Key Largo and the Overseas Heritage Trail.