Walking & Biking The Palm Beach Lake Trail

There is a pleasant informality that exists in the Town of Palm Beach. Palm Beach may be home to some of the world’s most exclusive addresses, but its Lake Trail offers a welcoming, relaxed charm. Winding along the island’s western shore, this scenic path invites joggers, walkers, and visitors alike to enjoy friendly nods, blooming bougainvillea, and stunning waterfront views, an intimate glimpse of Palm Beach style that draws you back again and again.

How Long Is The Palm Beach Lake Trail?

The trail itself is 5 and a half miles long, running from South Lake Drive near Peruvian Avenue North to its terminus just north of the famous Sailfish Club. The trail runs alongside the western edge of Palm Beach, with a dramatic view of the the Lake Worth Lagoon and West Palm Beach beyond.

The trail has two interruptions where walkers must navigate sidewalks and an intersection, but is otherwise complete and well maintained.

Where To Park

If you wish to travel the trail’s entire distance (there is a lack of public restrooms on the walk), we suggest you park at the trail’s southern end at South Lake Drive and Peruvian Avenue. There is paid public parking along South Lake Drive.

South Section

Length 1.7 miles

The trail winds north along the water, offering an expansive view of West Palm Beach and the Lake Worth Lagoon. The Palm Beach Town Docks is your first landmark, a public marina that has provided berthing for yachts of all types since the 1940s. The sight of the splendid boats there with the West Palm Beach skyline in the distance makes for an Instagram shot that should not be missed. Along this section, visitors get a sense of how Palm Beach defies the conventional pace of modern life. The sweeping curves of 1960s vintage condos, complete with ornate white concrete banisters and repeating floral patterns, show how buildings aren’t replaced here. They are preserved for generations, seemingly without regard for architectural trends and fads. The palm trees are original island ornaments, most displaying the imperfection of a tree that grew in place, not something recently placed by a landscaper. Things are real here in Palm Beach, decades in the making and immaculately kept, but marked with the signature of long life.

If you take the pedestrian crossing at Royal Palm Way, you’ll be near The Society of the Four Arts and The O’Keeffe Gallery. Here, you will see another characteristic of the island. Often art simply appears, without fanfare or preamble, to every visitor’s delight. Turn a corner and you’re liable to see an example of modern art, a burst of color in the tropical sun. In another short distance, a Romanesque statue will add lovely contrast to the surrounding scenery. Art forms part of the landscape, placed there by island patrons, for anyone to enjoy. Sometimes the art will peer out from backyards and over hedges. One home along the trail has a marble statue of a classical nude, modestly clothed in a brightly-colored t-shirt. Let no one say Palm Beach takes itself too seriously.

Along the trail stands the giant kapok tree, with sweeping, octopus-like roots and an arching trunk—an Amazon transplant from Palm Beach’s earliest days. Nearby rises Whitehall, the palace-like Henry Morrison Flagler Museum. Built in the late 1800s as a wedding gift to his third wife, it remains a treasured landmark offering unforgettable tours and local history.

North Section

Length 3.3 Miles

As the Lake Trail winds north, lakeside condos give way to charming historic homes framed by tall hedges, white walls, and blooming bougainvillea. The water flows just feet from the path, while old trees lean over the shoreline beneath a thickening canopy.

Along the way, visitors pass Bethesda-by-the-Sea, a former church converted into a private residence filled with early 20th-century character. Nearby stands the “Duck Nest,” built in 1891 and considered Palm Beach’s oldest surviving house.

An unexpected highlight appears at Country Club Road, where sheer coral rock cliffs flank a narrow roadway—an unusual sight in Florida’s flat terrain and the source of local ghost stories and legends.

The trail grows even more scenic as it continues past curving coastline and views of impressive yachts at Rybovich Marina. Soon, it reaches the exclusive Sailfish Club before merging into the quiet neighborhood at the island’s northern tip.

Stretching 5.5 miles, the Lake Trail offers a leisurely walk into the relaxed, timeless charm of Palm Beach life.

Nearby Bike Rentals

Bicycles are available for rental on the island. Visit Palm Beach Cycle Trail Shop or Palm Beach Ebike Rentals.

Tips from a Local To Enjoy The Palm Beach Lake Trail

• Since the trail largely passes through residential neighborhoods, it is wise to carry water and take a restroom break before heading out.
• The Publix Supermarket on Sunset Avenue is near the southern start of the north section of the trail.
• Sprinkles Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop or Pizza Al Fresco can help you with lunch needs.
• During the summer months it is best to go in the mornings or at sunset/ golden hour.

Jessica Pierce

Palm Beach, FL

Jessica Pierce is a writer and content creator for The Palm Beaches, inspired by the coastal culture, natural beauty, and vibrant lifestyle of Palm Beach County. A local for 25 years, she brings an insider’s perspective to the region’s beaches, waterways, and signature Palm Beach style. Guided by her love of photography, nature, the water, and the community she knows by heart, Jessica crafts elevated stories that capture the true spirit of the place she calls home.

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