Bethpage Black Course

Embark on an easy road cycling adventure along the Bethpage Bikeway and Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail Loop. This 18.5-mile (29.8 km) route offers a diverse landscape, guiding you through wooded sections, past suburban areas, and alongside golf courses like the renowned Bethpage Black Course. You will experience a gentle elevation gain of 457 feet (139 metres) over an estimated 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it a pleasant ride for all skill levels.

For a convenient start, Bethpage State Park provides restrooms and picnic tables, making it an ideal base for your ride. The route primarily follows the well-maintained, paved Bethpage Bikeway, ensuring a smooth experience suitable for racebikes. While the broader Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail has unpaved sections, this specific loop is carefully curated to keep you on paved surfaces, perfect for road cycling.

Discover the natural beauty of the Massapequa Preserve section, a highlight of the loop, where you can enjoy shaded paths winding alongside tranquil lakes, ponds, and marshland. This scenic stretch offers a refreshing escape into nature, contrasting with the more open sections of the trail. The route's design ensures you stick to dedicated paved paths, providing a consistent and enjoyable road cycling experience.

This road cycling route offers a fantastic tour of Long Island's diverse landscapes, taking you from suburban Seaford through lush parklands all the way to the scenic Cold Spring Harbor. You'll primarily follow the well-maintained Bethpage Bikeway, which transitions from flat, smooth sections to undulating hills as you head north, providing a varied and engaging ride. Expect to pass through the tranquil Massapequa Preserve, with its shaded paths and serene lakes, and enjoy the dense woodlands and views overlooking the historic Cold Spring Harbor in Cold Spring Harbor State Park.

This moderate 60.3 miles (97.1 km) loop, with 2455 feet (748 metres) of elevation gain, is a substantial ride that typically takes around 4 hours and 18 minutes. The route is entirely paved, making it ideal for road cyclists of varying fitness levels who are comfortable with rolling terrain. Facilities like restrooms and water fountains are available within Bethpage State Park, so you can plan your stops accordingly.

The route stands out for its seamless connection of multiple state parks and natural areas via dedicated bikeways, offering a unique perspective on Long Island's natural beauty. You'll encounter diverse wildlife, from ducks and swans in the preserves to deer and foxes in the woodlands. This makes it a popular cycling trail from Seaford to Cold Spring Harbor, perfect for those looking to combine a good workout with scenic exploration.