River Road SR-13
Switzerland, FL
St. Johns riverside riding south of Jacksonville.
The Route
Open in Google Maps →- Switzerland, FLStart
- Alpine Groves Park
- Trout Creek Memorial Park & Marina
- Switzerland
- Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ
The Ride
The road mimics the curves of the riverbank but does not include challenging hairpin curves or drastic changes in elevation.
Common Questions
How long does it take to ride River Road SR-13?
About an hour for the full 38 miles at a relaxed pace, longer if you stop at the river overlooks in Fruit Cove and Switzerland.
Is SR-13 a technical ride or an easy one?
Easy. The road follows the curves of the St. Johns River but has no hairpin turns or major elevation change, making it a low-stress ride compared to mountain byways.
What is the William Bartram Scenic Highway designation?
A 17-mile stretch of SR-13 between Julington Creek and Wades Creek carries the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway designation, given by the Florida legislature in 1980 and named for the 18th-century naturalist who documented the area.
Where can I fuel up along the route?
Fuel and services sit along the route in Fruit Cove and in Green Cove Springs at the south end; the road itself runs through mostly residential and wooded stretches with few businesses directly on SR-13.
What should I pair this ride with?
St. Augustine sits a short ride northeast and makes a natural add-on, or continue south on US-17 toward Green Cove Springs and Palatka for a longer day.
Best time of day or season to ride SR-13?
Morning or late afternoon in fall through spring avoids both Florida's midday heat and the commuter traffic that builds near Fruit Cove during the week.
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