Brevard County is one of Florida’s best kept secrets for runners. Between the Indian River Lagoon, coastal trails, nature preserves, and scenic causeways, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to log miles here on the Space Coast. After more than 20 years of running and walking these roads and trails with our customers and community, here are our favorite spots.
Wickham Park — Melbourne
Surface: Mixed asphalt and off-road trail
Distance options: 1.25-mile loop, 5K course, or miles of trail
Wickham Park is one of Melbourne’s great hidden gems for runners and walkers. Miles of off-road trails wind through the park, making it a favorite for trail runners, walkers, and cyclists alike. There’s also a paved 1.25-mile loop around the park and a marked 5K course if you’re looking for a measured workout.
Keep your eyes open while you’re out there — the park is home to gopher tortoises, squirrels, and plenty of birds. It’s not uncommon to round a bend and find a tortoise making his own unhurried way down the path.
Getting there: From US1, turn onto Parkway Road heading toward Wickham Road. The park entrance will be on your right approximately 1 mile from US1.
South Tropical Trail — Merritt Island
Surface: Asphalt
Distance: 5 miles out to Pineda Causeway and back (10 miles total)
This is one of our personal favorites — and on Sunday mornings you might even find Running Zone out here setting up water for our group runs. South Tropical Trail offers a beautiful, scenic route along the Banana and Indian Rivers, with views that remind you why people choose to live and run on the Space Coast.
The asphalt surface is smooth and the route has occasional speed bumps to slow traffic, so it’s shared comfortably with cyclists and walkers. At 10 miles out and back it’s a great long run option, and the scenery makes the miles go by.
Getting there: From Eau Gallie Causeway, turn left on South Patrick Drive, then left on South Tropical Trail. Park immediately on the left at Oars and Paddles Park.
Brevard Zoo Linear Trail — Viera
Surface: Paved asphalt and elevated composite boardwalk
Distance: 3.1 miles (one way)
One of Brevard County’s newer trail gems, the Brevard Zoo Linear Trail is a 3.1-mile multi-use trail that runs east from the Brevard Zoo along I-95, through wetlands and oak hammocks, under the Pineda Overpass, and ends at Turtle Mound. The trail features a mix of paved asphalt and elevated boardwalk sections — perfect for running, walking, or just taking in the surrounding wetlands and natural scenery.
The trail is free to access and open during regular Zoo hours. It can be entered at three points: the Brevard Zoo parking lot, Pineda Causeway, or Turtle Mound. We recommend starting at the Zoo for the best parking.
Getting there: Head to the Brevard Zoo at 8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne. Parking is available at the Zoo trailhead. No admission fee required to access the trail.
Melbourne Causeway — Indialantic
Surface: Asphalt
Distance: Approximately 2 miles out and back
If you want a hill workout in Brevard County, the causeways are about as close as you’re going to get — and the Melbourne Causeway is one of our favorites. The bridge offers a steady incline, a constant breeze off the Indian River, and some of the best wildlife viewing you’ll find anywhere on the Space Coast.
The water below is brackish — a mix of fresh and saltwater — which means an unusually diverse mix of marine life. This past week alone we spotted a pod of roughly 100 stingrays gliding beneath the bridge on Sunday morning, and two dolphins on an early run — one of them likely a calf, given the smaller size of its dorsal fin. Every run over the causeway is a little different.
Tuesday nights, join us for the Running Zone group run on the Melbourne Causeway at 6:30 PM. Meet at Hell ‘n Blazes Brewing Company in downtown Melbourne and stick around after for $1 off any beer.
Getting there: Heading south on US1, turn left on Melbourne Causeway. Turn right into Front Street Park approximately half a mile after turning onto the causeway. Plenty of parking and a short walk up to the causeway.
Eau Gallie Causeway — Melbourne
Surface: Asphalt
Distance: Approximately 2 miles out and back
Similar to the Melbourne Causeway in character and distance, the Eau Gallie Causeway offers the same hill opportunities and brackish water wildlife viewing in a slightly different setting. The bridge crosses the Indian River Lagoon and offers open water views in both directions.
Wednesday mornings, join us for the Running Zone group run on the Eau Gallie Causeway at 6:00 AM. Meet at the Eau Gallie Public Library. Light food and coffee are provided on the third Wednesday of every month after the run.
Getting there: The Eau Gallie Library is located at 1521 Pineapple Ave, Melbourne. Park here and walk or run to the causeway.
Rockledge Drive — Rockledge
Surface: Asphalt
Distance: 6 miles out to US1 and back (12 miles total)
Rockledge Drive is one of Brevard County’s most beautiful long run routes — and if it looks familiar, that’s because it’s the course of the Space Coast Marathon. Running along the Indian River from Cocoa Village south for 6 miles, the route combines scenic water views with a smooth surface and manageable traffic.
Starting at Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village, the route heads south along Rockledge Drive for 6 miles to US1 and back. If you’re training for the Space Coast Marathon, this is an essential route to know.
Getting there: Cocoa Village is located on the south side of State Road 520 (King Street) on the west side of the Hubert Humphrey Bridge. Start at Riverfront Park.
Patrick Air Force Base Beach — Satellite Beach
Surface: Sand
Distance: Varies
Sometimes you just want to run on the beach. The stretch of A1A north of Patrick Air Force Base offers several beach access parks with ample parking, making it easy to get on the sand for a workout. Beach running is significantly harder than road running — the soft sand engages stabilizing muscles and adds intensity — so expect your pace to be slower and your effort to be higher.
For the best experience, aim for low tide and get out early. Early morning runs here as the sun rises over the Atlantic are genuinely special — one of those reminders of why running on the Space Coast is unlike anywhere else.
Getting there: Head east on Pineda Causeway to A1A, then turn north. Several parks along A1A provide parking access to the beach.
Tips for Running in Brevard County
A few things worth knowing if you’re new to running on the Space Coast:
Heat and humidity are real. Florida summers are no joke. Early morning is almost always the best time to run from May through October — aim for before 8am if possible. Hydration is non-negotiable.
Hills are rare — use the causeways. Brevard County is flat, which is great for pace but not for building leg strength. The Melbourne and Eau Gallie Causeways are your best options for elevation work. Don’t underestimate them.
Wildlife is part of the experience. From tortoises at Wickham Park to stingrays and dolphins at the causeways, Brevard’s natural environment makes every run a little different. Keep your eyes open.
Run With Us
Running is better with company — and Running Zone makes it easy to find yours. We offer four free group runs and walks every week, connecting Brevard County runners and walkers with their local community.
Participation is always free, but a signed waiver is required. Join the Running Zone Run Club here — it covers you for the full year and only takes a minute to complete.
Sunday — South Tropical Trail
Meet at Oars and Paddles Park at 6:30 AM. Water is available at the 3 and 5 mile marks along South Tropical Trail.
Monday — Pizza Gallery & Grill
Meet at 6:00 PM for a pizza-themed running and walking group. On the first Monday of every month, stick around after the run for free pizza and drinks.
Tuesday — Hell ‘n Blazes Brewing Company
Meet at 6:30 PM for a run/walk over the Melbourne Causeway through downtown Melbourne. Stick around after for $1 off any beer.
Wednesday — Eau Gallie Public Library
Meet at 6:00 AM for one of our most popular weekly runs over the Eau Gallie Causeway. On the third Wednesday of every month, light food and coffee are provided after the run.
