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Reported: December 2019

Sweetheart Trail... Daytona Beach, FL

Scenic Biking along the Halifax River

Sweetheart Trail starts at Sickler Park, at the end of the Halifax River Trail (Holly Hill/Daytona Beach city limits). It continues south about 4.5 miles to Beville Rd. on a route that includes both multi-use trail and sidewalks, and runs under several bridges crossing the Halifax River. We much enjoyed a pleasant section through Riverfront Park, where the trail passes the city's revitalized old downtown, with access to shops and restaurants. Sweetheart Trail is part of both the St. Johns River to Sea Loop and East Coast Greenway (Maine to Key West).

Map link... Sweetheart  Trail

Location: Volusia County
Mileage: 4.5 miles
Surface: Paved, shared-use trail plus road side path
Nearby points of interest: Museum of Arts and Sciences, Halifax Historical Museum, Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Blue Coast Shop (Daytona Beach Shores; delivery only, rentals)
Daytona Adventures (Daytona Beach; e-bike rentals, sales, service)
Trek Bicycle Ormond Beach (sales, service)
The Bike Shop (Ormond Beach; sales, service)

 Page Summary:

1. Biking on Sweetheart Trail
   - Sickler Park to Orange Ave.
   - Orange Ave. to Beville St.
2. Some History
3. More Information and Resources

Biking on Sweetheart Trail... Comments and Photos

Sickler Park to Orange Ave.

Starting along Sickler Ave. (at the end of the Halifax River Trail), past Sickler Park (parking, fishing pier) and under the Seabreeze Bridge, the Sweetheart Trail runs along Ballough St. (stop off here at Caribbean Jack's for refreshments and river views), cuts over to Rio Vista Ave., then goes riverside to Main Street Bridge where you need to cross the road. Now is the centerpiece - Riverfront Park where the trail runs to Orange Ave. Located across from the Downtown area, a wide, bikeable promenade along S. Beach Street also provides access to shops, restaurants, museum. In addition to the trail, the recently renovated park's features include restrooms, picnic, playground, splash pad, fishing pier, kayak launch, benches with sail-like canopies for shade. A pedestrian bridge leads to Manatee Island Park (parking, restrooms, picnic, playground, fishing pier). The footbridge under International Speedway Blvd. Bridge (a big plus!) leads to City Island Park (parking, picnic, playing fields, library).

Orange Ave. to Beville St.

Continuing southbound from Orange Ave. along S. Beach St., the path passes Halifax Harbor Marina and then turns away from the river. It runs roadside along S. Beach St. to Bellevue Ave. where it turns off to Donnelly St. and a paved path past Bethune Point Park (parking, restrooms, picnic, playground, boat ramp, playing fields, skateboard park). Continuing roadside along S. Beach St., it turns off at Wilder Blvd. to S. Palmetto Ave. where a paved path runs to trail end at Beville St.

Some History

The name comes from the 75-foot yacht Sweetheart, built at City Island in 1898 and owned by Charles Grover Burgoyne, a wealthy businessman and mayor (1897-98) who along with his wife Mary were civic benefactors - historical markers tell the story, or visit the nearby Halifax Historical Museum to learn more.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Halifax Trail
Ormond Scenic Loop
East FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Related Resources:

City of Daytona Beach - Sweetheart Trail
City of Daytona Beach - Parks & Recreation