Nice Ride, just moved down to FL. Very happy to see that central FL has some great trails. This is a great trail for all around sight seeing and plenty off places to stop and take in all that central FL has to offer.
Winter Garden is great little town, nice place to get lunch. On the flip side sad to see the run down side of Apopka.

This is a great trail for a simple ride.

Jan. 2010 We rode east from Kilarney Station to the Horse Farm. Great Ride! Beautiful scenery! Bike path surface was good. Lots of rest spots and small parks with great facilities. Great path to ride, not to train. If there were more paths in other communities in our country like this one, cycling would explode. Will be back to ride it again, maybe head west next time and find the hills.

If you are looking to train or put in serious mileage, find a country road and it will be more helpful and probably safer. From the Forest Ave. trail head, there are intersections every quarter/half mile for the next 10 miles (got frustrated and turned around at this point), many are preceded by blind turns. All intersections but one are 2 way stops giving motorists the right of way so there are no opportunities to safely get in to a cadence without stopping for traffic.

We rode west from Winter Garden to Killarney Station in mid-February 2009. The trail is great, the trailside scenery beautiful, and the little ups and downs and curves make it fun to ride. There is a nice nature center along the trail that has walking trails (no bikes) which are very nice; one trail goes to Lake Apopka on a boardwalk. The most fun partof the West Orange trail, though, was the new extension beyond Killarney Station. Believe it or not, there are actual hills in this part of Florida. We rode only the first 2 1/2 miles past Killarney Station, which was great fun and mostly away from roads. After 2 1/2 miles the trail began to follow a road closely, and that didn't appeal to us so much so we turned back. We were told the new extension is 8 miles.

I rode this trail in December '08 on a beautiful sunny, warm day. my plan was to start in Apopka, ride to the end & back. we drove over from Daytona & looked in vain to find the Apopka trailhead. turns out we drove near it but there were no signs to it. so we wound up meandering through the countryside on back roads trying to find it (wasting precious riding time) and finally found the trailhead in Winter Garden. the ride was great (but short); why not put up some "TO TRAILHEAD" signs? (not everyone is a local who just knows where it's at.)

I recently rode this trail with my son and daughter. My son was on his single and my daughter and I rode our tandem. We started the trail at the Clarcona horse park just south of the town of Apopka where there is a nice shaded parking area. The trail here is actually a spur of the main West Orange trail but you quickly pick up the main trail as you ride out of the park. We headed south and were in and out of shade most of the way to Killarney station. The trail twisted and turned a good bit so it is very fun to ride, not just a straight shot, but look out for the numerous road crossings as you are riding through a suburban area. We had no problem with traffic but that may have been due to the holiday. We ended up at Killarney station after about 15 miles where there is a nice bike shop with restrooms and a large parking lot, the bike shop let us use some chain lube and also told us that the trail continues an additional 8 miles south of the station but had a few hills, we are from Georgia so I doubt it is actually very hilly. We were unable to ride the additional 8 miles due to time constraints but if it is anything like the first part of the trail it would be well worth the effort and we plan on riding it the next time we are in Florida.
Overall a very nice trail, you can't really hammer along due to the road crossings but some fast and twisting sections that make it a lot of fun.

Tpage

The South Lake Trail is now officially open from Hancock Road (in Lake County) to the Orange County line. There is now a contigous trail from Apopka to Clermont.

"My 14 1/2 year old daughter and I rode the trail for the first time this past weekend. I hadn't been on a bike in 24 years so we didn't make it very far! It was such a nice ride and the trail is beautiful. There aren't many current reviews out there, but don't be concerned with any that you've read that are dated prior to 2005 because so much has changed and improved since then. Everybody was so nice, but make sure to stay out of the ""serious"" riders way. They can be very rude to the casual bike rider. All in all we had a wonderful time and are making it a regular part of our weekends now."

"This is a great trail if you are down in Orlando on vacation to visit Disney (just a few miles away) and need some exercise. I usually park at Clarcona Horseman's park, it's secluded and I haven't had problems there. The ride to Country Line station is about 30 miles round trip, and you can ride fairly fast over much of it (do need to be careful on some portions with curves, road crossings, crowds, etc). Oh, and make sure you don't head toward Apopka, you really don't want to go there, and the indiginants there don't like white bikers! If you want a longer ride, try Van Fleet in Polk city, a fantastic trail and not crowded, and just 30 minutes south of Disney. The Withacoochee bike trail is also really good, but is at least an hours drive west of Orlando on modest two lane state roads. Have fun!"

"ttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-mcfbriefs14_606dec14,0,2491755.story?track=rss

CENTRAL FLORIDA THE AREA IN BRIEF

Highway to close on 2 nights

December 14, 2006

APOPKA -- -A portion of U.S. Highway 441 will be closed in both directions Saturday and Sunday night while a crew works on the West Orange Trail pedestrian bridge.

The road will be closed between Park and Highland avenues both nights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., said Orange County Inspector Bruce Johnson. Drivers are asked to follow detour signs.

Henry Pierson Curtis, Willoughby Mariano, Christopher Sherman, Victor Manuel Ramos, Erin Ailworth, Robert Perez and Christine Dellert of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2006, Orlando Sentinel "

"Our bike shop is located at mile marker -0- of the West Orange Trail at Orange/Lake County Line. We rent Cross Bikes, Recumbents and Tandems. Also provide delivery service to local hotels. Visit our website at www.orlandobikerental.com"

"We enjoyed the trail. More inclines than most but very doable. We did not go North of Cleaveland street as we were warned by locals not to. I think Day time or morning would have been safe, am I right? We didn't try it to find out! As you get older you do not look for trouble! We do enjoy rails-to-trails and do use them only in daylight hours...things that you have to think about even at Malls!"

have bladed on my fl trails but this is the best!!!my only negative is the last resurfacing job from lake county line(rougher surface)the old surface was much smoother

"Excellent and fun section. Looking forward to doing both ends. Nice wide trail but some long sunny stretches. The crossover just west of the Chapin Station is a little scary for a novice. Well marked, but scary."

"This trail was such a treat. We were there in early April and it even smelled like orange blossoms. Picturesque towns, a little elevation, and getting off the trail to eat at Choctaw Willy's Unusually fine BBQ in Winter Garden was a treat. Great trail for Kids, older folks, anyone. Well maintained and a good length. Take a day off from Disney World to do it!"

"I rode from County Line Station at mile 0 to Chapin Station at mile 7 and returned. This is an excellent section of the trail with good scenery. It's mostly rual, although there's no wildlife. It's an enjoyable ride. There are no security issues on this section of the trail.

I have also ridden from from Apopka-Vineland at mile 14 to Clarcona Horseman's park at mile 15. This is also an execllent section of the trail as it's a nice area with no security issues.

And I rode from Clarcona Horseman's Park to Apopka. Some of this section is wooded while some is full of sun. Near Apopka I was accosted by youths who threw full Coke cans at me and at other riders. I recommend not riding the Apopka section of this trail. "

"I was one of the first to use this trail when it was only a few miles long and the railhead was in Winter Garden. This was back in about 1995 when I lived in Orlando. These trails are a fantastic idea, and an excellent use of old railroad resources which can now be somewhat preserved. The went end of the trail is very well shaded almost all of the way to the county line. This makes for superior riding even in Florida's warm sun. There are beautiful rest stations at both Winder Garden and the county line. The scenery is incredible and takes you back to the turn of the century as you ride through old towns that seem to stand still in time.

In Florida's early spring the sweet scent of orange blossoms is pure heaven, and a MUST EXPERIENCE for trail visitors. Don't bother picking the oranges since they are sour! In recent years they have opened the next eleven miles heading towards Apopka.

I was vacationing in Orlando and visiting family and had an opporunity to go biking on the new extension. The scenery is still great, but there is much less protection from the sun and less rest stops with cold drinks and/or water. Hopefully they will install more facilities to shorten the distances there, otherwise I recommend bringing a cooling pouch and a few cold drinks if you go in this direction.

Again, the ornage groves are prevelant and smell SO GOOD when the trees are budding. The trail is fairly level -- this being a true old rail roadbed -- and is very easy to navigate even for youngsters. I only went as far as the horsemans park before my sore buns made me turn back and head for Winter Garden. Overall, one of the best trails in the Orlando area, hence its usually crowded, but well worth a visit. "

"This trail is very popular; bikers, hikers, roller bladers, etc. use this trail in abundance. I have seen horses, mountain bikes, street bikes, recumbents, and even the old-time big-wheel bikes on this trail. I have also seen some nasty accidents when parents don't keep their small children confined to one side. Please slow down when passing children.

From west to east, this trail is 22+ miles long, and they are expanding it. The western trailhead is flush against the Lake County line and has ample facilities including bike rentals. The trail trends generally downhill as you travel east, and coming back to the western end can be a grind after a long ride.

About a mile or so east of the western end, you cross the Florida Turnpike over an old rail bridge. Further on you go through the tiny town of Oakland with some spectacular views of Lake Apopka. After 5 miles, you reach Winter Garden which is building a cottage industry around servicing trail users. There is another trailhead in Winter Garden.

From here the trail goes through a steep ravine before leveling off. Two miles later, there is the Chapin Station, another full-service trailhead, more of a park than a parking lot.

From here the trail goes down to a shady stream crossing. After another mile or so the trail begins to wrap around a golf course for a few miles.

Just before you get to 435 there is a Buddhist temple on the right. Don't make the mistake I did and assume it is a trail facility. No public bathrooms, and they don't appreciate shoes indoors.

Around the 15 mile mark, you have an option to either cross the street and continue on the trail, or go left and visit the Clarcona Horseman's Park. It's worth a look, particularly if they are performing some of their dressage exercises. Full facilities.

From here to Apopka, the trail alernates between sunny and heavily shaded.

WARNING: The area just south of Apopka is dilapidated and rough. I would strongly discourage unescorted females from using this stretch.

There is a gap on either side of US 441, but there is another trailhead on the far side, and another three miles of trail. The trail twists behind a nursing home with a good downhill and winds onto a boardwalk behind a middle scholl before finally ending at Welch Road.

Overall, this an excellent trail with something for everyone. The sections beyond the east of the Chapin Station tend to be less crowded. Most of the trail is very shady with a lot of scenic views."

This is a great trail. I can't wait until it crosses 441 to make it continuous. It's getting a little crowded on weekends.

"PHASE 4 WILL ADD 8.7 MILES TO REACH KELLY PARK. SCENARIOS POP UP HERE AT THIS MOMENT. THE NEW TRAIL CALLED THE SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL WHICH RUNS IN SEMINOLE COUNTY OFF OF STATE ROAD 436 AND CAN ALSO BE REACHED ON COUNTY ROAD 46 EXTENSION OF STATE ROAD 46. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS THAT THE SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL HAS A PHASE ROUTE HEADING SOUTHWEST TOWARDS THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL. IM NOT SURE IF THE SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL WILL CONNECT THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL. THE OTHER SCENARIO THAT THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL GOING TO KELLY PARK IS NOT VERY FAR TO THE SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL.MAPS SHOW THAT THE SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL SHOW THAT THE NORTHERN TERMINAL GOING NORTHWEST WHICH PROBABLY COULD CONNECT THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL AT ITS ENDING. MAPS ALSO SHOW THE SOUTH PHASE OF SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL HEADING SOUTHWEST TOWARDS WEST ORANGE TRAIL AS WELL. THEIR IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY THAT BOTH MAY BE ACKNOWLEGED AS WELL. NO INFORMATION HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL FOR MORE PROGRESS AFTER THE KELLY PARK, HOWEVER THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL AND THE SEMINOLE WEKIVA TRAIL DO PROPOSE A CONNECTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

FEDERAL UNITED STATES 441 NOT A PROBLEM!
PHASE 4 WILL BE ACKNOWLEGED. PHASE 4 OF THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL HAS JUST BEGUN. ORANGE COUNTY HAS DECIDED TO BUILT A OVERPASS OVER FEDERAL UNITED STATES 441. THE TRAIL IS FUNDED AND PAST THROUGH COMMITEE. ONCE IT PASSES US 441 IN APOPKA IT WILL LEAD TO KELLY PARK. PLEASE SEE THE MESSAGE ON TOP.

PHASE 3 IS READY AND DONE
THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL IS NOW A 22 MILE PAVED TRAIL FROM LAKE COUNTY LINE TO APOPKA DOWNTOWN TO A ROAD CALLED WELCH ROAD. THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL HAS A PHASE 4. PLEASE SEE NEXT MESSAGE ON TOP. PHASE 3 IS 2.7 MILES. DONT WORRY, PHASE 4 WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PHASE THREE ON THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL, TYPE IN PHASE THREE WEST ORANGE TRAIL (APOPKA WELCH ROAD)IN YAHOO."

"This is a great trail, and it is a nice distance. Great scenery, plenty of stations to stop and chat and get water or air. Great to have it in West Orange County."

"From parking lot at west end of trail on SR 50 (5 miles east of US 27), bike 13.7 miles east, then trail splits. Cross street on your right with stop light (overhead sign says Trail Crossing) and go right for 3.9 miles (somewhat scenic) to Forest and Sixth. Bike 0.3 miles north on Forest (careful crossing route 441, Wendy's, McDonald's, Taco Bell) to nice park at Forest and Second. Then bike 3.2 miles further on new section of trail to end. Turn around and go back to Y. Then take a right to go on the other branch of the Y for 0.9 miles to picnic tables, water, & restroom (nearby building). Then bike back to Y and back 13.7 miles. In Wintergarden, about 5 miles from parking lot, see Downtown Brown's restaurant across street on left of trail. Can eat inside or outside. Round trip is 43.3 miles."

"FROM STATE ROAD 50 THE WEST ORANGE TRAIL STARTS IN LAKE COUNTY AND WORKS ITS WAYS 20 MILES NORTHEAST TO APOPKA, FLORIDA.THE SOUTHERN TERMINAL A PROPOSED ROUTE WILL CONNECT LAKE MINNIOLA IN LAKE COUNTY WHICH EXTENDS 5 MILES TO CLEREMONT FLORIDA.TO THE NORTH OF WEST ORANGE TRAIL THEY WILL TRY TO CONNECT A PROPOSED ROUTE OF THE CROSS SEMINOLE TRAIL AND IN THE CENTER OF THE TRAIL A ANOTHER TRAIL COULD LINK IS THE CADY WAY TRAIL WHICH GOES 3.75 MILES.OTHER TRAILS ARE POSSIBE AS WELL IN SEMINOLE COUNTY. SEMINOLE COUNTY ARE PROPOSING ALOT OF TRAILS THROUGH THE COUNTY. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE LOOK UP IN YAHOO AND LOOK UNDER SEMINOLE, ORANGE, LAKE COUNTY TRAIL GREENWAYS."

"I skate the West Orange Trail at least once a week. A ""down and back"" trip offers most skaters plenty of distance without having to make an extra run for a good workout. I highly reccomend anyone riding or skating this trail put-in at The Clarcona Horse Stables, behind The Buddist Temple or at the Apopka-Vineland outpost and head south west toward Winter Garden. North of this outpost the trail becomes populated and I've heard horror stories of glass, nails and other damaging materials from others on the trail. If you enter from another out post and follow the trail north east, the horse stables is a good place to turn around. The County Line Station, Winter Garden Station and Crown Point Station's all offer restrooms and cold drink machines.

All-in-all this is a very nice trail for cycling and skating! "