Break out the bicycle: Take a ride on these 5 trails, some of Volusia County's most scenic

With more than 72 miles of paved trail, Volusia County is a biker's paradise.

It has more miles of trail than all but three of Florida's 67 counties, according to a News-Journal analysis, allowing you to bike alongside eye-catching springs, old oaks and pine trees, sweet-smelling citrus and wildflowers, and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

For the long-distance riders, more than 45 miles of trail entirely within Volusia County's borders are already connected, crossing from Lake Monroe to just a couple blocks from the Indian River Lagoon in Edgewater. If you throw in the connections in Seminole and Brevard counties, you can travel up to 65 miles one-way.

The county has spent more than $1 million per year on trails since 2004 — recently upping the annual commitment to $1.5 million — and the state has helped shoulder the costs of building out cycling infrastructure countywide.

Here are some of the gems worth checking out in different corners of Volusia County.

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1. Green Springs Park is perfect place to start a long ride

Green Springs is an underrated spot for hopping on the trail in Volusia County.

It's located only 3 miles from Interstate 4 and connects to both the Spring-to-Spring Trail and the East Central Regional Rail Trail, so you can choose your adventure and bike for dozens of miles in either direction.

The spring itself is one of Florida's uncommon sulfur springs, and its waters glow a milky green year-round. Small alligators can often be seen swimming in the translucent water.

Located just off the northeastern shore of Lake Monroe, it's seconds away from the Lake Monroe Boat Ramp, a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset.

Location: 994 Enterprise Osteen Road, Deltona

Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset

Admission: Free

2. Edgewater's trails connect lagoon to beautiful rural scenes

Leave your car behind at Edgewater's Rotary Park to hop on the Rail Trail for smooth riding on a lengthy trail.

Head about 15 miles south and you'll reach a crossroads where you can take off west into beautiful rural Osteen or veer further south and head down to Titusville.

This trail offers some of the best wildlife sightings because of its quiet nature. Shade can be hard to come by, so avoid going out in the peak of the day, especially during summer.

Location: 902 W. Park Ave., Edgewater

Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset

Admission: Free

3. Spring-to-Spring Trail is perfect for manatee watching

The Spring-to-Spring trail will one day connect Gemini Springs Park to DeLeon Springs State Park, stretching for 26 miles up the western side of the county.

Today, it's a shorter ride, but one of the most beautiful.

Parking at Lake Beresford Park is ideal. A 1.8-mile multi-use trail encircles the park, and you simply cross under the railroad tracks to access another 5.5 miles that take you directly to Blue Spring State Park.

Blue Spring is a haven for the Florida manatee, and its crystal clear waters are also home to a dazzling array of fish and birds, as wells as turtles and alligators. In the summer, the refreshing (cold) 72-degree water is a great place to take a dip.

This segment of trail has extensive tree cover to protect riders in the heat of the summer, and two unpaved trail segments extend a quarter mile to the eastern shore of Lake Beresford for another great sunset view.

Location: 2100 Fatio Road, DeLand

Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset

Admission: Free (Blue Spring State Park charges $2 for pedestrians and the entrance off the trail operates on an honor system)

4. Ormond Loop offers gorgeous sights for the daring

The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is home to some of the most iconic views in Volusia County, but it's not for the faint of heart.

The winding two-lane road doesn't have dedicated bike paths, although cars and motorcycles are generally pretty watchful. Touring the whole double-loop can take you farther than 30 miles.

The scenery includes live oak canopies dripping with Spanish moss; the slow-moving Tomoka River, a birders' paradise; and some of the most pristine sections of Atlantic Ocean shoreline in the county.

When you turn onto A1A, the road widens and there's a sidewalk tracking along the Atlantic Ocean.

There's ample parking at Bulow Creek State Park, which is lovely to explore on its own. It's home to healthy deer and owl populations, as well as the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the South.

Location: 3351 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach

Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset

Admission: Free

5. Daytona Beach's Sweetheart Trail has pretty river views

The Sweetheart Trail offers a gorgeous glimpse of the Halifax River, extending 1.5 miles along the intracoastal waterway from Jackie Robinson Ballpark past three of Daytona Beach's bridges.

There's a large parking area at City Island Park on the southernmost end of the trail, which continues north to just past the Main Street Bridge.

Canopies have been installed in some sections of the trail to provide shade from the bright sun.

Pop over to one of Beach Street's restaurants for a snack and drink or keep the ride going by riding across the protected sidewalk on the International Speedway Boulevard bridge and heading out onto the hard-packed sand.

Location: 113 E. Magnolia Ave., Daytona Beach

Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closes at 5 p.m. from December to March)

Admission: Free

Get to know your Central Florida trails

Florida's trails that connect to Volusia County:

• Coast-to-Coast Trail: 250 miles connecting the Atlantic Ocean to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Nine counties are linked. It's more than 80% complete and only nine gaps remain, all outside Volusia County.

• St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop: 260 miles connecting Brevard, Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties. It's about half done.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Best bike trails in Volusia County, from the springs to the beach