Bike trails at Long Island parks

It’s time to get out the bike, pump up the tires and head out to explore some of Long Island’s many bike paths and trails. Remember, biking paths are multiple use, so you’ll be sharing the way with pedestrians, in-line skaters and others. State law requires children younger than 14 to wear helmets. For other rules, regulations and safety tips, visit health.ny.gov. 

Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon 

Picture-postcard scenery, a stone bridge and a small waterfall are highlights of an overall flat loop that also runs through woods flanked by benches and exercise stations. Lock up the bikes to rent pedal boats, rowboats or kayaks. The park has restrooms but no food concession. Fee: $8 a car daily May 27-Sept. 4; weekends April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Oct. 9. $80 Empire Pass card sold when tollbooth is open, or online. Mileage: 3

Bethpage Bikeway, Massapequa to Woodbury 

The Bethpage Bikeway through the Massapequa Preserve features a shady trail along a tranquil stream. Continue north along the Bethpage State Parkway through Farmingdale to enter Bethpage State Park, passing its renowned golf courses. Ride north through the woodlands of Bethpage State Park and the open meadows of Trail View State Park. There are some short, steep hills at both the northern and southern approaches to Bethpage State Park. North of the Long Island Expressway, pedal up and coast down the long undulating hills bordering the LIE and Northern State Parkway, ending your ride at the Woodbury Corporate Park. Great bike path for fit commuters who work in the Plainview or Woodbury office parks. The bikeway has restrooms and picnic grounds in Bethpage State Park. Fee: $8 a car at Bethpage State Park, daily May 27-Sept. 4; weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Nov. 5. Mileage: 12.7

Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale 

The most family-friendly stretch of this flat terrain begins at the Bethpage State Park picnic area and runs north through the park. Fee: Picnic area only: $8 a car daily May 27-Sept. 4; weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Nov. 5. Mileage: 1 (connects to Bethpage Bikeway)

Cathedral Pines County Park, Middle Island 

Families with older kids can challenge themselves on this mountain biking trail at the headwaters of the Carmans River. Optional trails at Cathedral Pines have hills. All riders are required to wear helmets, and eye protection is recommended. The trail has restrooms. Fee: $7 parking Green Key cardholders, $15 everyone else, May 27-Sept. 4, weekends and holidays only. Mileage: 6.5 to 8

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Huntington

 Situated on a scenic peninsula, this paved path is a 3-mile circular loop between the Dairy Barn and Marshall Field Estate, with breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and miles of pathway winding through woodlands, meadows, shoreline and salt marsh. Stop at the Masters Garage building for picnic tables and restrooms. Benches are scattered throughout the park. Fee: $8 per vehicle on weekends and holidays, April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Oct. 9 and daily May 27-Sept. 4., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mileage: 27

Connetquot Shared-Use Path 

Trail parallels Sunrise Highway between Connetquot Avenue and Oakdale-Bohemia Road, with a connection to Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Mileage: 2.5

Eisenhower Park, East Meadow 

A complex web of multiuse paths connects soccer and baseball fields. The park has restrooms and several other seasonal amenities. Fee: Parking $10 a car daily for nonresidents from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Mileage: 3

Epcal Path, Calverton 

A shared-use bike path through the pine barrens of eastern Suffolk County that connects to athletic fields. Mileage: 9

Glen Cove Creek Esplanade 

Scenic path along Glen Cove Creek with views of Hempstead Harbor. Adjacent to Garvies Point Preserve. Mileage: 0.4

Heckscher State Park, East Islip 

Paved, multiuse trails attract bicycle riders, walkers and nature lovers. Cycle to a panoramic view of Great South Bay. Osprey nests tower over the trail near Field 7 and the park campgrounds. Playgrounds are near parking fields 1, 4 and 6. Restrooms are available. Fee: $8 a car daily May 27-June 23; weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Oct. 9; $10 daily June 24-Sept. 4. Mileage: 4.5

Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead 

Paved, multiuse path connects shaded picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis/pickleball courts and basketball courts; plus a pond. Restrooms available. Fee: $8 a car daily May 27-Sept. 4; weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Oct. 9. Mileage: 2.4

Hempstead Turnpike Shared-Use Path 

Traverses the north side of Hempstead Turnpike. Runs between Hofstra University, Nassau County Coliseum and Eisenhower Park (Merrick Avenue and Oak Street, Uniondale). Mileage: 1.5

Holtsville Ecology Park 

Circular path provides access to a children’s animal preserve and Safety Town. Parking fee: Town residents, free with town sticker; Nonresidents, use meters $4 per hour Mon.-Thur., $5 per hour Fri.-Sun. and holidays. Mileage 1.2

Jones Beach Bikeway, Wantagh 

Glide along the beach on Long Island’s premier bike path, which begins at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford. From there it’s a 5.4-mile ride to Jones Beach’s East Bath House on the boardwalk. There you can either lock up your bike for a stroll or keep cycling to the food concessions. Stay on the extension on the north side of Ocean Parkway to pedal another 3.6 miles to Tobay Beach (free to enter by bike), where there are more restaurants and a playground. A multiuse path extends from the boardwalk at Field 1 to the West End area of the park for an additional 2.3 miles. Restrooms are available on the bikeway. Mileage: 5.4 to 11.3

Jones Beach State Park Boardwalk 

Bike or stroll the boardwalk with access to ocean swimming, swimming pool, miniature golf, shuffleboard, basketball, WildPlay Adventure Park, boccie ball, shuffleboard, paddle tennis and cornhole. Fee: $10 a car daily May 27-Sept. 17; $8 weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 23-Nov. 5. Mileage: 2

Kings Park Bike And Hike Trail 

Hilly trail connects downtown Kings Park with Nissequogue River State Park. Follows the old railroad spur from Route 25A, just east of Church Street, to St. Johnland Road. Trail runs through the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center into Nissequogue River State Park. Mileage: 1.4

Long Beach Boardwalk 

Wide, clearly marked bike lanes zoom down the middle of the city’s historic boardwalk, rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy. Restrooms are available along the boardwalk. Mileage: 2.2

Long Island Motor Parkway Shared-Use Path 

Ride the first mile of the shared-use path along the alignment of the historic Long Island Motor Parkway. This path runs alongside the golf course on the northeast boundary of Eisenhower Park between Stewart Avenue and Carman Avenue. Mileage: 1

Merrick Avenue Shared-Use Path 

A shared-use path along the western perimeter of Eisenhower Park connects with the Hempstead Turnpike shared-use path. Mileage: 1.7

Mitchel Field Shared-Use Path 

Connects to the Hempstead Turnpike Shared-Use Path as well as Nassau Coliseum, Nassau Community College, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island Children’s Museum, Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum, Eisenhower Park and multiuse path along Merrick Avenue. Mileage: 6.3

Nassau Expressway Shared-Use Path 

Runs along the grassy shoulder of the Nassau Expressway from Broadway to the Atlantic Beach Bridge. Mileage: 0.9

NY 347 Parks To Ports Greenway 

A shared-use path paralleling Route 347 between Town Line Road in Hauppauge and Gibbs Pond Road in Nesconset, and 0.8 miles between Terryville Road and Davis Avenue in Port Jefferson Station. The shared-use path has extensive landscaping, rain gardens and solar-powered bus shelters with LED street lighting. Route 347 is being constructed in stages and, when fully built by 2033, will extend 15 miles between Hauppauge and Port Jefferson Station. Mileage: 3.5

North Woodmere Park 

A scenic path with water views. Parking fee: $10 weekends and holidays for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Mileage: 1

Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway 

Ride through a combination of maritime forest and vast tidal wetlands between the popular Jones Beach State Park through Tobay Beach and clear to Captree State Park. Connects with the Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway at Jones Beach to Cedar Creek Park in Wantagh. Mileage: 13.6

Riverfront Trail, Riverhead 

A scenic boardwalk adjacent to the Peconic River leading to the Long Island Aquarium in downtown Riverhead. Mileage: 0.4

Rocky Point Mountain Biking Trail 

Explore trails available for beginners to advanced riders through the Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest. Access is available at trailheads off both Route 25A and Rocky Point Road. No riding before noon for the month of May. Mileage: 13

Setauket-Port Jefferson Greenway 

Hilly trail gives a good aerobic workout from Route 25A at Limroy Lane in Setauket to Route 112 at Hallock Avenue in Port Jefferson Station. Mileage: 3.4

Stony Brook University (Paul Simons Memorial Bike Path) 

Stony Brook’s campus is set among 1,100 wooded acres, complete with a nature preserve. The Paul Simons Memorial Bike Path — paved for biking, running and in-line skating — circles the campus. Mileage: 6

Sunken Meadow State Park Boardwalk 

Views of Long Island Sound with Connecticut in the distance. Fee: $10 a car daily May 27-Sept. 10; $8 weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 16-Nov. 5. Mileage: 0.75

Sunrise Trail, Lynbrook 

Multiuse path along Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook, between Earle and Ocean avenues. Mileage 0.6

Valley Stream State Park/ Hendrickson Park Shared-Use Path 

Scenic pathway through wooded Valley Stream State Park and adjoining Hendrickson Park, connecting picnic grounds and athletic fields. It continues as a loop around Valley Stream Pond in Hendrickson Park. Restrooms are available at the park. Fee: $8 a car daily May 27-Sept. 4; and weekends and holidays April 1-May 21 and Sept. 9-Oct. 9. Mileage: 2

Wantagh Park 

A shared-use path with scenic bay views connects picnic areas, athletic fields, a marina and a swimming pool. Parking fee: $10 a car daily for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Mileage: 2.5

Wantagh Parkway Shared-Use Path (Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway) 

Starting at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford, this multiuse path parallels the Wantagh State Parkway crossing that transitions from oak forest to open tidal marshes. Cross over three bridges while enjoying expansive water views of South Oyster Bay. At the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, the path takes a sharp left to connect to the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway. Mileage: 5

West Meadow Beach Shared-Use Path 

The former Trustees Road has been closed to car traffic, creating a shared-use path with views of Smithtown Bay and Connecticut. Mileage: 1.2