Hilton Head Island Bike Trails

Hilton Head Island has earned its reputation as one of the best cycling destinations in the United States, and for families, the 60+ miles of paved, car-free bike paths create an experience that defines the Hilton Head vacation. The island's flat terrain, shaded canopy paths, and hard-packed beach riding combine to make cycling accessible, safe, and genuinely magical for riders of all ages and abilities.

The path network connects virtually every corner of the island. Major routes run along William Hilton Parkway, through Sea Pines Resort, along the beach, and through residential neighborhoods shaded by canopies of live oaks and Spanish moss. The paths are wide enough for families to ride side-by-side, and the gentle grades make them accessible even for kids on training wheels or families with bike trailers.

Beach biking is Hilton Head's signature cycling experience. At low tide, the island's beaches become wide, hard-packed surfaces that are firm enough to ride on comfortably. Families pedal along the waterline with waves lapping beside them, the ocean breeze cooling their ride, and the uninterrupted beach stretching ahead.

It's a uniquely Hilton Head experience that families return to year after year.

Bike rentals are a thriving industry on the island, with dozens of shops offering standard bikes, tandem bikes, beach cruisers, surreys (multi-person pedal cars), kids' bikes, trailers, and tag-alongs. Most shops deliver bikes directly to vacation rentals and hotels, making it effortless to start riding. Weekly rates are significantly cheaper than daily rates and are the standard rental approach for vacationing families.

The combination of nature, safety, and accessibility makes Hilton Head biking the island's most popular family activity. Families use bikes as their primary transportation — riding to restaurants, beaches, shops, and attractions — and the bike-centric culture creates a relaxed, vacation-pace lifestyle that kids and adults both thrive in.