Guide to Biking in Wrightsville Beach: Best Routes, Rentals, and Updates

To gear up for the busy summer travel season, Wrightsville Beach announced new updates to popular biking routes. Wrightsville Beach is one of the most bike-friendly destinations on the North Carolina coast—and it just got even better! Take a page from the locals’ rule book and opt for a relaxing bike ride instead of getting in your car. Whether getting from point A to B or exploring the coastal area, Wrightsville Beach offers plenty of chances to get on a bike.

Here’s what you need to know about biking in Wrightsville Beach.

Best Time to Go Biking in Wrightsville Beach

Biking season lasts all year long in Wrightsville Beach. The mild coastal climate is ideal for getting around on a bike or simply enjoying a leisurely ride. Summer is undoubtedly the most popular season for biking in Wrightsville Beach. The influx of tourists means you’ll see plenty of riders on the shoulders of the streets, bikes parked outside the best restaurants, and navigating popular local routes.

If you plan to bike during your visit, the morning is the best time of day. It offers cooler temperatures and less bike and car traffic along the routes. In addition, the bike rules for the Beach Strand favor morning and evening cycling.

Best Places to Bike in Wrightsville Beach

Getting your hands on a bike in Wrightsville Beach is easy. Determining a biking destination is always a challenge. Check out the most common Wrightsville Beach biking routes if you’re in town for a few days. Here’s what you should know about the best local biking spots.

1. Wrightsville Beach Strand

N. Lumina Ave runs the entire length of the 4-mile coastline that makes up Wrightsville Beach. The beach strand is one of the top places to go biking in Wrightsville Beach, showcasing the scenic coast. The route takes bikers up and down the coast, offering views of the white sand beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The route passes through the central tourist hub featuring many top local shops and restaurants.

North Lumina Avenue is one of the routes impacted by the recent biking route expansion in Wrightsville Beach. The designated biking path is expanded to allow for safer roadside riding.

Check your calendar before biking on the beach strand! Wrightsville Beach prohibits bikers between 9am and 6pm from April 1 to October 1.

1. The Loop

The Loop is Wrightsville Beach’s top recreational location. This iconic 2.45-mile route laps around Wrightsville Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s an excellent way to go sightseeing. It passes Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, Wrightsville Beach Park, the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, Harbor Way Gardens, and more.

A section of The Loop includes the newly expanded biking routes on N. Lumina Ave. Cyclists navigating this route will benefit from the wider biking lanes.

1. River to Sea Bike Ride

IMAGE: https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-walking-on-seashore-with-bicycle-C6obFKstfkU

Put your stamina to the test on the most challenging biking route in Wrightsville Beach. The River to Sea route stretches more than 10 miles between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Riders can complete this route in either direction—just remember the return trip if you decide to start in Wrightsville Beach!

The most common way to travel this route is to start in Wilmington. It begins in the historic district at the Riverfront Park. It takes riders on a journey along the Wilmington Riverfront before crossing through quiet residential areas, reaching Wrightsville Beach, and concluding at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier. The route follows the historic Beach Car Line trolley, which transported vacationers from Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach during the early 1900s.

1. Causeway Drive

Looking for a shorter bike route in Wrightsville Beach? The Causeway Drive is a straight shot from the mainland to the coast. It’s part of the Loop trail but can be completed as a standalone bike path. Causeway Drive is also part of US 76. It crosses the Wrightsville Beach Bridge, through Harbor Island, across the Banks Channel, and ends right on the beach! Causeway Drive is another area impacted by the local biking initiative. It added new bike lanes for increased safety and accessibility for bikers.

The Wrightsville Beach Bridge rises up for boat traffic on the hour daily, so it may affect your biking plans.

Where to Rent Bikes in Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach has several local bike rental shops. Whether looking for beach cruisers or ebikes, you can find the perfect pair of wheels for your biking adventures. Guests staying in Sea Scape Properties can take advantage of exclusive offers. We partner with local companies to provide our guests with an easy solution to rent bikes.

Here are our recommendations for renting bikes in Wrightsville Beach:

• VayK Gear – offers rental credit for Sea Scape Properties guests
• Seaside Linen & Rental Co. – Sanitized, like new bikes. Free delivery is available to your Sea Scape vacation rental with a minimum order.
• Wrightsville SUP – bikes equipped to carry beach gear and accessories. Discount applied with special checkout code.

Wrightsville Beach Vacation Rentals that Include Bikes

Certain Sea Scape Properties even include complimentary bikes available for guests to use during their stay. Check out these featured Wrightsville Beach vacation rentals that include bikes:

• Flock of Sea Girls
• Bel Sole
• A Short Walk
• Carolina Cottage
• The Blue Pearl