Scenic Cycling Trails Perfect For Beginners

Cycling trails often consist of rugged wilderness routes that are best suited for experienced mountain bikers; however, others such as those below provide scenic riding that is suitable for beginners. Their paved surfaces make cycling easy for beginners as well as families.

Peddle past baby-blue umbrellas, families grilling out on the terrace and piers dotted with joggers on this scenic route in New York City. The path is clearly marked and offers stunning views.

1. Views

Sometimes all it takes to put a smile on your face is donning some sturdy bike shoes and dousing yourself in bug spray before heading out onto an open trail to view some of our planet’s most breathtaking vistas. While poolside lounging sounds appealing, flexing those muscles and connecting with nature are guaranteed ways to bring out that spark in you that makes life worthwhile.

No matter your taste in scenery – forests with sparkling lakes and tall trees covered with mossy branches; or rugged mountainscapes filled with cute wildlife; there’s sure to be a scenic cycling trail for you if you know where to look. That’s why we curated some of the top scenic cycling routes for beginners:

Yosemite National Park boasts the Mist Trail, which weaves past two waterfalls that release an almost continuous flow of moisture into the air. Meanwhile, Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rainforest boasts towering moss-covered trees and lush grassy ferns that look straight out of a fairy tale book.

There’s also the Allegheny River Trail in Morristown, New Jersey – this paved trail follows an original trolley line’s original path and offers scenic views of historic homes as well as side trails that branch off for even more adventure.

2. Wildlife

Cycling trails provide all of the thrills and excitement of nature without the worry. Many cycling routes feature dedicated bike lanes to separate cyclists from cars; others can even provide more privacy on your ride. Cycling routes often run close to scenic parks or landmarks that make great places for picnics or rest stops along their routes, like Lums Pond State Park’s Swamp Forest Trail with views of its picturesque lake while you ride.

If you’re up for an adventurous ride, try one of the many national park cycling trails across the United States. Some routes provide challenging wilderness routes best suited to experienced mountain bikers while others – like Missouri’s Katy Trail – span miles across state boundaries to give cyclists an enjoyable journey from start to finish.

Urban cycling trails also provide a relaxing ride for beginners or those seeking a leisurely pace, such as New Jersey’s East Coast Greenway which winds its way past welcoming communities and parks while providing ample fresh air – you could even stop off at one of their local brewery/vineyards to refuel before continuing your ride!

3. Easy Access

At most bike trails, traffic-free biking trails provide an ideal setting for beginners who wish to break free from busy roads and experience something truly relaxing and peaceful. Furthermore, this family-friendly trail features a waterfall and three ponds to cool off after working up a sweat!

The entire 109-mile trail offers stunning scenery: Ponderosa pine forests, prairie lands, rugged mountain terrain and swimmable creeks make this route worth exploring. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial can also be seen along this scenic journey; though slower than other car-free trails it makes up for it with beautiful vistas and tranquil atmosphere.

Cunningham Park features trails suitable for riders of all skill levels. Beginner-friendly loops can be found nearer to the parking lot while more experienced loops lie further out. Before heading out on any ride at Cunningham Park, be sure to consult this map and identify which trails would suit your abilities best.

Urban cyclists love this 18.5 mile traffic-free path that winds its way through Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Paramus, and Saddle Brook – providing plenty of scenic green spaces as it winds along. Bird watchers may spot one or more species residing here including rare bald eagles! For an ambitious challenge try cycling all 18.5 miles along this protected pathway – it makes a welcome change from Manhattan’s busy streets!

4. No Road Crossings

Bicyclists don’t fare any better in traffic crashes than pedestrians do; last year alone there were 966 bicyclist deaths across the US due to drivers failing to see or slow down when passing them.

In order to avoid such scenarios, cyclists should utilize bike lanes and ride with traffic instead of against it. They should also remain aware of other road users and utilize crosswalks when available; additionally, they must recognize approaching vehicles even when their volume has been diminished by music or other distractions.

Some cities feature traffic islands with special markings designed to accommodate pedestrians, often called “toucan crossings,” though sometimes known as Pelican crossings in Britain. Cycling upto these crossings is legal but cyclists must dismount prior to passing over it.

Rather, an angle crossing might allow a pedestrian to use the sidewalk on the opposite side. Unfortunately, however, this can be risky for both pedestrians and cyclists as these sidewalks may not be well lit or far enough from traffic for safe passage. A separate cycling crossing lane might be necessary; however, this requires extra space and additional road markings that might confuse drivers. Luckily, Crossings With No Traffic Control software from American Printing House for the Blind helps train independent travelers who are visually impaired on how to assess uncontrolled street crossings so they can safely traverse these situations safely.

5. No Parking

Freewheeling down a woodland trail or cresting a hill to see spectacular vistas is an enjoyable way to connect with yourself and the natural world around you – especially helpful for beginners who may feel intimidated or overwhelmed by traffic and other road users.

Some cities are going a step further and banning cars altogether from certain areas to increase bike lanes and improve safety for cycling enthusiasts. Although the full effect of this initiative remains to be seen, it’s encouraging to see that more people are now enjoying biking without being distracted by heavy traffic or uncertain how best to navigate their environment.

As part of its Family Ride Series, Bicycling Magazine named this path one of 10 Best Car-Free Bike Paths nationwide due to its scenic ride along the Mississippi River and levee-top trail. Enjoy nine miles of family-friendly riding past ponderosa pine forests, prairie land, swimmable creeks, grazing cattle and rugged mountain terrain!

6. No Traffic

Biking can be an amazing way to stay active and see the sights, but its pace may be daunting for newcomers. When on a bike path that does not contain cars, however, it becomes easier to relax and enjoy the ride without fearing a collision from passing cars or having to navigate potholes or speed bumps.

Recent rail trails have grown increasingly popular, providing a range of terrain and scenery while remaining almost car-free. Furthermore, these routes have been specifically designed to accommodate cyclists of all abilities and experience levels so even beginners can enjoy them!

New York City’s Central Park offers miles of uninterrupted cycling along the Hudson River Greenway without ever coming across street traffic, while there are also scenic cycling routes in other boroughs.

With the increasing popularity of bike touring, many states are expanding car-free bicycle routes. Visit your state Department of Transportation website or Google Maps desktop version and enable Bicycling Directions if you want a list of bike paths suitable for beginning riders – you’ll find this option near the bottom of its menu.