Explore the best rated trails in Ocala, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Withlacoochee State Trail and Neighborhood Lakes Scenic Trail . With more than 33 trails covering 415 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Scenery: 5/5
Shade: 4/5
Condition: 5/5
Crowdedness: 4/5
Water Availability: 3/5
Road Crossings: 3/5
Signage: 2/5
This is one of my favorite trails in Central Florida. In this area, the West Orange Trail is the most popular, but I think the South Lake/Lake Minneola Trail beats out in terms of scenery and crowdedness. Except for the portion of the trail that follows the shoreline of Lake Minneola, shade is ample. It is less crowded than the West Orange Trail, except for the portion that runs through the lakefront park on Lake Minneola. This is understandable given the nature of the park. The crowded stretch is manageable as long as you take it slow and are patient, and it's relatively short compared to the rest of the trail as a whole. The scenery both through wooded areas and along the lake is great. On the western end, the section through Lake Hiawatha Preserve is beautiful albeit very short. Beyond the Preserve (heading west), there's not much to see. The trail is in very good shape, but there are a good number of road crossings. Overall, a really great trail that, in my opinion, is more enjoyable than the West Orange Trail.
Scenery: 2/5
Shade: 1/5
Condition: 5/5
Crowdedness: 5/5
Water Availability: 1/5
Road Crossings: 1/5
Signage: 3/5
Skip this one if you have better options. The description pretty much says it all: not much scenery (almost entirely suburban), hilly (for Florida standards), no water, no shade. On a clear day, there is some scenery at the northern end where you can see Lake Apopka and the Orlando skyline on the eastern horizon, but rampant development is quickly wiping that out. There are a lot of road crossings, some busy. Virtually all of the trail parallels a rather busy, noisy road. The trail is in good shape (except for a few spots where roots have created bumps - mostly on the southern end), but I'm not sure why the description says that it is 14 feet wide. There may be short sections where that is the case, but mostly not. The trail is not crowded at all, but, given its shortcomings, that's not surprising.
I had to add my 2 cents, don’t be discouraged by a previous review talking about steep hills and bumpy pavement in the 5 miles near Gainesville. I rode it in the pre dawn hours and took it really slow so as not to out run my light. Yes there are bumps - I had no issues and my tires are 23s. As far as hills, this path is what we call in the Midwest flat. Maybe some steep hills for Florida, but again not a real issue. Enjoy it - I look forward to riding it again someday!
Rode 5 miles South of Inverness then 5 miles North.South was better but both very nice.
Did the entire trail (both fragments) at 52 miles on rollerskates. Great surface and one of the best long trails in Florida for skates. Beautiful scenery. Saw bald eagles, an owl, a couple of deer, and lots of gopher tortoises. I will say that the northern fragment has like no place to park. I parked at the National Refuge but that isn’t an official trailhead. Additionally, the northern leg has some areas that are just sidewalk vs actual path. Still enjoyable !
This trail offers wide smooth pavement. The forest is dense surrounding most of the trail and gives one the feel of isolation. This is a great ride on sunny days as most of it is covered by tree canopies. The only bad part of this trail is lack of parking or easy access at both ends of the trail. A road bike can not manage the sandy dirt trail of a mile to get to trail at the westernmost parking lot.
Beautiful trail with bridge views which offers the perfect spot to see gators! After crossing bridge heading north you have swamplands on sides of trail with the traditional live oaks and Spanish moss which is very scenic. Ends with ramp launch into river. This is a very popular trail and very short so it can be crowded with walkers and cyclists. Enjoy!
On Easter, we parked in the Hernando lot and drove south to Floral City, before returning! Scenery ranges from beautiful partially shaded trails, several lakes and waterways, turtles, and alligators. LOTS of potential restaurants for a break (seafood, pizza, ice cream, etc.). We sat on the deck at Stumpknockers (5 blocks off trail) for an horsdoeuvre and bevvy! This portion of the trail was 29 miles round trip. We’ll be back to do the Northern portion!
Pick a cloudy day and maybe a mountain bike. Lots of gators and birds. We started from the green mountain trail head and I would start at one of the other trailheads instead. They spent so much on the trail head that there is no money to maintain the trail and the first two miles are extremely rough.
Very disappointing. Nothing special about the trail itself. the homeless encampment and trash was unsettling. Also many men loitering about. I did not feel safe. So many other nicer places to bike this is just not worth it.
This was nice and level, easy parking at either end, part sun and part shaded (although mostly sun), but you will be passing by a few homeless encampments. No one came out to bother us, but just something to be aware of your surroundings. As an older female rider, I probably wouldn't do this ride again alone. But it was an interesting ride, nonetheless. When we got to the end in downtown Leesburg, there are lots of great places to eat.
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