Sightseeing by car is fun, but by bicycle it’s a blast. The more leisurely pace of pedaling gives time to immerse yourself in your surroundings, a chance to enjoy wildflowers and even wildlife by the roadside or along the trail. Plus, you get a terrific workout.

Whether you prefer skinny tires or fat, coastal terrain, road courses, mountain paths or something in between, here’s a wealth of cycling destinations to choose from throughout the Southeast. We focus on family friendly treks here, but have included resources to help you expand your search for leg-powered adventures.

Alabama

Northeast Alabama has one of the nation’s finest rail-trail routes, the Chief Ladiga Trail. Extending nearly 33 miles from Anniston to the Georgia line, this smooth ribbon of pavement, named for a Creek Indian leader, follows a former railroad corridor (hence the “rail trail” designation) flanked by woodlands. With multiple access points, you
can ride almost any length you’d like.

Despite its relatively short distance, the Chief Ladiga Trail winds through a diverse landscape, connecting rural villages, wetlands, the campus of Jacksonville State University and ultimately Talladega National Forest. The old stone and steel bridges are a special treat and a perfect photo opp. There are plans to connect this trail with Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail, northwest of Atlanta, adding some 60 miles to the trip. For details, visit www.jsu.edu/epic/CLT.html (Jacksonville State’s Environmental Policy & Information Center), www.chiefladiga.com or contact the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (see info box).

Florida

Selecting a ride in the Sunshine State isn’t easy, with hundreds of choices. A hidden gem: the 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail (www.traillink.com/trail/nature-coast-state-trail.aspx), a T-shaped corridor connecting five small towns outside Gainesville.

Starting from Fanning Springs State Park, the route runs southeast nine miles to Chiefland along the border of the Andrews Wildlife Management Area. To the east is a scenic seven-mile leg to an old train depot in Trenton, while the 12-mile stretch northwest toward Cross City features inspiring views of the Suwannee River from a trestle bridge.

The Adventure Cycling Association, or ACA (see info box), offers maps detailing an ambitious 428-mile course across the panhandle between DeFuniak Springs and St. Augustine, the final leg of the ACA’s 3,092-mile transcontinental Southern Tier Route.

Georgia

In addition to the Silver Comet Trail to the northwest, there’s another splendid rail trail in Atlanta: the Stone Mountain Trail (www.traillink.com/trail/stone-mountain-trail.aspx), an undulating, 18-mile, on- and off-road route stretching northeast from the downtown campus of Georgia Tech.

The sights are a mixed bag as you pedal through Atlanta and Decatur, from the greenways of Freedom and Candler parks to Clarkston’s gritty industrial area. The highlight is at trail’s end—the captivating images of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Lt. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson carved into the face of 1,683-foot Stone Mountain.

North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has a well-deserved reputation as a utopia for outdoor enthusiasts. Most cycling routes here can be fairly strenuous, but there are gentler options, such as the Two Rivers Ride, a 27-mile loop that hugs portions of the French Broad and Ivy rivers.

It starts on Riverside Drive, passing parks along the French Broad. The route then turns east and meanders through the town of Jupiter with its stunning views. Expect a few medium-sized hills, but nothing painfully steep (peak elevation is 2,100 feet). For details on this and other area rides, consult the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club’s superb guidebook, Road Bike Asheville (Milestone Press).

South Carolina

South Carolina’s breathtaking coastline—more than 200 miles from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island, just north of the Georgia border—begs to be experienced by two wheels. The ACA produces beautifully detailed maps featuring 349 miles of cycling routes between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Statesboro, Georgia.

Divided into sections ranging from 30 to 40 miles, the maps rely on routes less traveled, from beaches to back roads. They’ll also guide you through high-traffic areas, such as the 34-mile Charleston Spur. Favorites include the Little River route as it skirts Myrtle Beach, Givhans Ferry State Park just south of Charleston, and the final Black Swamp stretch before the route crosses into Georgia. In addition to a brief history lesson, the maps also provide a list of service areas.