Explore the best rated trails in Lakeside, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the 6th Street Rail Trail and UF Campus Greenway . With more than 18 trails covering 141 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.
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!
This was a terrific ride. Just beautiful. And the trail conditions are excellent. Once again, another outdated TrailLink map. The map as of March 2024 shows incomplete sections all along the A1A. That is wrong. It is a continuous run all the way up to the Crady Pier bathrooms.
The west end towards Gainesville is quite a bit different than the east end at Hawthorne. The Hawthorne end offers good cycling with a road bike. The Gainesville end not so much. It has a lot of severe tree root damage, sharp curves, and suprisingly steep hills. Once you get thru that in the first 5 miles the trail straightens out and runs parallel to a busy and noisy road. Great.
We rode it 3 times and finally agreed it wasn't worth the effort. With the 2 overlooks onto Paynes Prairie and the Al Lucha trail within the first 3 miles, this end of the trail lends itself to walking or riding an ebike. The ebike negates the hills and would have larger tires that would absorb all the bumpiness.
The east end was rural with fewer people and was more suitable for someone wanting to actually bike.
I agree with another post, women should be very aware of areas of this trail. Many young men on drugs it appears in areas where things could go bad in a hurry
We rode this trail on January 30, 2024 from the Vermont Heights Bike St. Augustine Trailhead to where the trail crosses 207 between the Cora C. Harrison Preserve Trailhead and the Bull-Hit Ranch. The trail is the best when it is away from 207 and there are stretches that are very bumpy where tree roots have pushed up the asphalt. There are several roads to cross as well.
Rollerskates this entire trail in October of 2023. Sadly, not great quality always in surface. Lots of homeless tents along the trail. Ends by airport. Busy road next to it. No cool scenery. Glad I did it but not planning to ever do it again.
Loved this trail as a distance skater! Did 42 miles on rollerskates. Started Keystone Heights in the morning. Quiet morning and saw the sunrise over the lakes. It was beautiful and just a quiet skate. Lots of little shrews & marsh rabbits spotted. Florahome is really cute. The surface is amazing…was perfect for skating. Averaged around 9 mph on rollerskates. Will be recommending this trail to any other skaters…just so serene :,)
Rode from Imeson Rd trailhead and went through Camp Milton park (where bathrooms are located on left, ~ 5.7 miles in). Great way to spend a chilly Thursday in January. Highly recommend!
Great trail! I would start in Keystone Heights and park at any business and skip the 8 mile connector from Mike Roess Goldhead state park! 21 is a busy road, loud, and not much to see but run down homes and businesses! The trail itself is Beautiful, with nice scenery, smooth surface and you can get as long of a ride as you want! Not crowded on a Saturday in December and we got in 30 miles!
Paved path with swamps on either side. Not too many road crossings.
On that new section just opened west of keystone heights, about a quarter mile in on the north side of the road is a house with two unsecured yappy dogs who are prepared to battle all cyclists on the trail. Be prepared!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
