Jupiter Fun Loop

Every chance I have to go ride in Jupiter, I take it. It's one hour's drive from my home, but the area is charming, and I enjoy the more relaxed traffic in that area. Jupiter has a historic lighthouse that you can visit, lovely oceanfront parks with free parking, beautiful beaches, and excellent restaurants. 

The ride goes through Jupiter Island, a very wealthy and private residential community (Tiger Woods lives there), and the asphalt road there is excellent, and the speed limit is 20 miles per hour. The route is around 34 miles. You can ride your gravel or road bike (there is a trail inside the JD State Park that you can ride with your gravel bike). It's all flat with little exceptions when you cross some bridges over the Intra coastal waterway. The route is a loop and starts in Jupiter, Palm Beach County, and going north, we cross the county line and go to Martin County for awhile. Depending on the direction of the wind, I decide if I start by the ocean side or go to the US HWY 1 first to get a tailwind on my way back. 

I parked for free at Carlin Park, Jupiter. I recommend taking some money and two water bottles if you have bottle cages on your bike. My first stop was at Jupiter Lighthouse Park. Nice clean restrooms and water if you need them. It's a beautiful lighthouse with some history and a little museum and bookstore if you want to come back and visit. After, I rode North on the US HWY 1 bike lane. For a short two miles, the town changes names. You are in Tequesta. On your right, you see some marinas, houses, and the Intra coastal. You can visit Jonathan Dickson State Park. Cyclists pay $2.00 to enter the park. It's a big park, asphalt bike path, bike trails, camping, boats, trails, MTB trail, horse riding, fishing, trail running, etc. There is The Hobe Mountain Observation Tower, where you can park your bike and go up to see all around the park and have a view of the Intra coastal and the ocean. 

There is some history to learn here: During World War II, the land the park now occupies was home to Camp Murphy, a top-secret radar training school with over 6.600 men. You can add more miles if you ride all around inside the park. I went to the Kimbell Visitors Center and turned around to exit the park. Leaving the park, I got on the US Highway Northbound bike Lane until I arrived in the next town, Hobe Sound, and turned on Dixie HWY. There are little stores and a couple of restaurants there. You turn right (East) on Bridge Road, and this road takes you to Jupiter Island. It's beautiful, with big trees West and East of the Intra coastal bridge. This road ends at the Hobe Sound Beach Park. You can find water and restrooms there. Now, you are going to start your ride back. Leaving the parking lot, turn Left(South). This road is very calm, and nobody can drive or ride over 20 mph: beautiful gardens and the Blowing Rocks Preserve. Keep riding south, and you'll pass Cove Coral Park, a beach on one side, and Intra coastal in the other. You will cross the bridge and turn South on US HWY 1 again and turn left, and after you cross the bridge, you will turn on N HWY A1A. 

There you can find a great ice cream or coffee at Cones & Coffee. Next to them is the Blue Line, surf and paddle store(they rent paddleboard). Across the street is Guanabanas, my favorite restaurant and bar in Jupiter, a great place for a beer, cocktail, lunch, or dinner in a casual Tiki house by the water. If you are hungry, this is a good option. If not, you keep going, and soon you will be back at Carlin Park. There you can find Dukes Lazy Loggerhead Cafe, great breakfast, and brunch place by the ocean. 

I hope you enjoy the area. You can find more information online at https://www.jupiter.fl.us/. 

-Maria Cesca PEARL iZUMi Crew