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Latest update: February 2024

Palm Beach Lake Trail

Palm Beach Biking along Lake Worth Lagoon

Glimpse the lifestyles of the rich and famous while biking along Palm Beach's Lake Trail. The popular trail is on the west side of Palm Beach, along the Lake Worth Lagoon (part of the Intracoastal Waterway). Used by bikers, runners and walkers, the scenic trail is landscaped with many trees and flowering shrubs. Views along the Lagoon include yachts and the West Palm Beach skyline. Along the way, you'll be passing the backyards of mansions and several historic sites including the Henry Flagler Mansion and Museum and the oldest standing home in Palm Beach. (Map link and photos below.)

Map link... Palm Beach Lake Trail

Location: Palm Beach County
End Points: S. Lake Drive near Peruvian Ave. to N. Lake Way (past the Sailfish Club)
Mileage: 5 miles
Surface: Paved
Nearby points of interest: Palm Beach, Henry Flagler Mansion and Museum, Peanut Island

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop (Sales, rentals, service)
Top Cycle (Sales, rentals, service)

 Page Summary:

1. Biking at Palm Beach Lake Trail
2. South Section
   - Peruvian Ave. to Flagler Memorial Bridge
3. North Section
   - Flagler Memorial Bridge to N. Lake Way
4. More Information and Resources

Biking at Palm Beach Lake Trail... Comments and Photos

The Lake Trail is an easy ride with few street crossings. Benches are provided for taking in the views. Historic markers identify notable sites along the trail. The trail is mostly unshaded, bring water, snacks and sunscreen. This is a mostly residential area - while access to food, facilities and the beach is nearby, the only restroom directly along the trail is at Bradley Park. There are no dedicated parking areas, parking is available on side streets adjacent to the trail. Note: watch the signs, some spots are pay-to-park, others are free but limited as to time allowed (15 min. to 2 hr.) or resident-only. No motorized or electric modes of transport are allowed, with a 10 mph speed limit.

We visit the Lake Trail from South to North.

South Section - Peruvian Ave. to Royal Poinciana Way (1.7 miles)

Peruvian Dock to Flagler Mansion

The trail starts at the Peruvian Dock at Peruvian Ave. and S. Lake Dr. (paid street parking), and proceeds past the Palm Beach Marina to the bridge at Royal Palm Rd. At Royal Palm Rd. is a detour*. Follow Royal Palm Rd. to the signaled crosswalk at Coconut Row and cross Royal Palm. Then, return along Royal Palm Rd. to The Society of the Four Arts (music, art, drama, literature). The trail resumes past the Society (check out the garden art). Private homes and docks line the trail, with views across the Lagoon of the West Palm Beach skyline.

*Note: We've seen bikers directly crossing Royal Palm Rd. near the bridge, but this is a dangerous spot. Creating a better crossing is being studied; in the meantime, the detour is safer.

Flagler Museum and Surroundings

The approach to the Flagler Mansion and Museum is marked by the Historic Kapok Tree, an iconic local landmark now part of the Royal Poinciana Chapel Gardens. In this area:

• Henry Flagler's "Gilded Age" estate, Whitehall, was completed in 1902. Today, it's a National Historic Landmark and open to the public as the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
  More information .
• Royal Poinciana Chapel (1898), a non-denominational Christian church, was constructed on land donated by Henry Flagler. The Great Lawn and Gardens, completed in 2010, extend from the Chapel to the trail along the Lagoon.
• The Victorian-style Sea Gull Cottage was constructed in 1886 and purchased by Henry Flagler in 1893. Moved to its current site, it's now the Rectory and provides meeting and event space for Royal Poinciana Chapel.

Flagler Museum to Flagler Memorial Bridge

From the Flagler Museum, the trail runs roadside along Whitehall Way, then Coconut Row past The Breakers and Royal Poinciana Shopping Center. At Royal Poinciana Way, turn left. The trail follows the road to the Flagler Memorial Bridge ramp - bear left down to the Lagoon. The underpass at the bridge is a big plus.

North Section - Flagler Memorial Bridge to N. Lake Way (3.3 miles)

Flagler Memorial Bridge to Palm Beach Country Club

Bradley Park is located just past the bridge, entry marked by a gazebo. Formerly site of an exclusive beach club (1900-1946), the 4.5 acre park has restrooms, gardens, benches, walking paths, historic exhibits, and the original Historic Tea House and Artemis Fountain. Street parking available at Sunset Ave.

The trail continues past the Biltmore and condominiums to Atlantic Ave. where private homes and docks resume trailside. Here you'll pass Old Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church (1894), now a private home, and the Duck Nest (1891), the oldest standing house in Palm Beach. At Country Club Rd., the trail runs next to N. Lake Way for 1/4 mile, passing the Palm Beach Country Club.

Palm Beach Country Club to Trail End

Past the Country Club, it's about a mile to the Sailfish Club. The trail circles the club, running alongside N. Lake Way. It then loops back lagoon-side to Reef Rd. Turn right to N. Lake Way, and trail end.*

* From the trail end, continuing on N. Lake Way is an option, the residential road has light traffic. Cut over on any side road to N. Ocean Blvd. and continue to the north end of the island and the Palm Beach Inlet Dock (about 1/2 mile). Beach access points are also located off N. Ocean Blvd.
Fun Notes: From the north end along the inlet, look northeast across to where it enters the ocean - it's the easternmost point in Florida, at Palm Beach Shores.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Jonathan Dickinson State Park (eco-biking)
Southeast FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Related Resources:

The Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Lake Trail