List of trails on Long Island facts for kids

Long Island is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures, especially if you love biking! It has over 200 miles (320 km) of trails, both paved and unpaved. This means there are paths for all kinds of bikes, whether you enjoy speedy road cycling or exciting mountain biking. The New York Times even said that Long Island is "unsurpassed" for bikers, meaning it's one of the best places around!

One group, called Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists (CLIMB), has done a lot to create great trails. They even built a special mountain bike trail system in New York City's Cunningham Park in Queens. Also, in 2007, the New York State Department of Transportation created Long Island's first long-distance bike route. This route stretches all the way from Cold Spring Harbor to the Orient Point ferry terminal.

Exploring Long Island's Best Bike Trails

Long Island offers many different trails, each with its own unique features. Here's a look at some of the most popular ones:

Paved Trails for Easy Rides

These trails are great for a smooth ride, perfect for road bikes or family outings.

Bethpage Bikeway

The Bethpage Bikeway is a 13-mile paved trail where cars aren't allowed. It's a multi-use path, meaning you might see walkers and joggers too. It starts in Woodbury and goes through Trail View State Park, Bethpage State Park, and Massapequa Preserve. It ends at Merrick Road.

Central Suffolk Bikeway

The Central Suffolk Bikeway is a long, marked street route, about 80 miles (130 km) long. It begins at Bethpage State Park and follows various roads and the railroad line into Riverhead. If you want to combine your bike trip with a train ride, you can get a special bike boarding pass for the LIRR.

Jones Beach State Park Trail

At Jones Beach State Park, you'll find an 8.5-mile trail. Many people think this is one of the best trails on Long Island because of its beautiful views and smooth ride.

Orient Beach State Park Trails

Orient Beach State Park has a main bike path that's about 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long, mostly along Orient Park Road. There's also the Roy Latham Trail Loop, which is 0.3 miles (0.48 km) long, and about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) of unmarked trails west of the beach parking lots.

Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail

The Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail follows an old railroad track. It runs from Old Dock Road to St. Johnland Road.

Long Island Motor Parkway

The Long Island Motor Parkway was once a road for cars, but now parts of it are used as trails.

Trail View State Park

Trail View State Park connects Stillwell Woods with Bethpage Park. This trail is about 8 miles long and is a two-way path, so it's a good idea to use a bell to let others know you're coming.

Heckscher State Park Trails

Heckscher State Park offers 16 miles of trails for you to explore.

Mountain Bike Trails for Adventure

If you're looking for more challenging rides with bumps and turns, these mountain bike trails are for you.

Bethpage Mountain Bike Trail

The Bethpage Mountain Bike Trail is 4 miles long and starts from the Bethpage State Park gatehouse. It's an off-road loop trail marked with white triangles.

Cathedral Pines County Park

Cathedral Pines County Park has a 6-mile single track mountain bike trail. It also has advanced "black diamond" sections that add another 9 miles (14 km) for experienced riders. This trail is kept in good shape by CLIMB. You'll need a Suffolk County Green Key card to use it, and there's a parking fee on summer weekends.

Calverton Mountain Bike Trail

The Calverton Mountain Bike Trail is an 8.5-mile loop that's good for beginners to intermediate riders. It also has 1.5 miles of optional, more difficult hill climbs. Helmets and eye protection are required here, and you need a FREE NYS DEC Permit.

Eastport Trail

The Eastport Trail is an 8.5-mile off-road trail in Eastport. You'll need a free permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to ride here.

Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Mountain Bike Trail

The Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Mountain Bike Trail is an 8-mile unpaved, off-road trail. It's part of the National Recreation Trail system and is specifically marked for mountain bikes.

Rocky Point Mountain Bike Trail

The Rocky Point Mountain Bike Trail is a 13 miles (21 km) marked trail that goes through the Natural Resources Management Area in the Pine Barrens. Helmets and eye protection are a must, and you'll need a FREE NYS DEC Permit.

Stillwell Woods Mountain Bike Trail

Many people consider the Stillwell Woods Mountain Bike Trail to be the best off-road trail on Long Island for mountain biking.

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve

The Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve has many miles of trails managed by the NYS DEC. Helmets and eye protection are required, and you'll need a FREE NYS DEC Permit. It has a 5.5-mile beginner loop marked with white discs, more difficult loops marked in yellow and blue, and the most difficult loops marked with red discs, totaling about 19 miles.

Other Trails to Explore

Governor Alfred E. Smith / Sunken Meadow State Park

Governor Alfred E. Smith / Sunken Meadow State Park has many miles of unmarked trails both north and south of Route 25A.

Hempstead Lake State Park

Hempstead Lake State Park has some unmarked trails around the lake. These trails are shared with horses, so always be sure to yield to them. It's a good idea to stop and ask if it's okay to pass.

Sears Bellows County Park

Sears Bellows County Park offers many miles of unmarked trails with views of ponds and water. Remember to yield to horses if you encounter them.

Montauk County Park

Montauk County Park also has trails for you to discover.