Cross Seminole Trail:
Florida
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Description:
Stretching from Orlando's densely populated outskirts to the sleepy bedroom communities of Oviedo, Winter Springs and Lake Mary, the Cross Seminole Trail provides crucial residential links in this automobile-dominated region. Throughout the day you'll encounter locals using it to get around town or simply for exercise. The trail comprises five separate sections that will eventually connect to create an impressive 23-mile continuous trail. These open sections total some 14 miles and connect to other area rail-trails: the 14-mile Seminole Wekiva Trail to the west and the 6-mile Cady Way Trail to the south.

The 4.6-mile southern section starts on the northeast corner of the Aloma Avenue/Howell Branch Road intersection on the Seminole/Orange county line. (Signs for the Cady Way Trail mark the opposite corner.) This section follows Aloma Avenue northeast though a largely urban setting, coming to an end at the intersection of Aloma Avenue. (SR 426) and West Mitchell Hammock Road, 2 miles from the start of the second section.

The second section extends northwest from downtown Oviedo to Winter Springs. From the intersection of Railroad Street and North Central Avenue, you'll enter a pleasant wooded area and wend through several quiet, upscale neighborhoods. After 3.5 miles you'll reach the Black Hammock Trailhead, which offers the only sufficient parking along this section. There is a beautifully constructed concrete pedestrian bridge that crosses Route 434.

The next section is a pleasant 3-mile stretch passing behind Winter Springs High School and Central Winds Park, Seminole County's premeir public park, and threading through peaceful neighborhoods.

The fourth section starts at the end of Old Sanford- Oviedo Road in Winter Springs and runs 3 miles along a utilities throughway and through Soldier's Creek Park. The trail crosses U.S. Highway17/92 via a nice overpass and ends at Big Tree Park in historic Longwood.

The final 4-mile section of the Cross Seminole Trail is quite different from the other three. The largely urban path parallels busy Reinhart Road in Lake Mary for much of its length. Headed south from Route 46A to Greenwood Boulevard, you'll follow a bustling business corridor with many road crossings. If you need a break from high-volume traffic once you reach trail's end, simply hop on the connecting spur to the Seminole Wekiva Trail on the west side of Reinhardt Road at the Oakland Hills Circle intersection.


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Parking & Trail Access:
Directions from downtown Orlando: To reach the Aloma Avenue trailhead, take State Route 436 to Aloma, drive east about 1.6 miles, and look for the park sign on the right.

To reach the Black Hammock trailhead, take SR 408 east to the Central Florida Greenway and head north toward Oviedo/Winter Springs. Exit at westbound SR 434/Sanford Oviedo Road and take the first left into the well-marked parking lot.

To reach the Layer Elementary School trailhead, follow the above directions to Black Hammock, but continue west another four miles on SR 434/Sanford Oviedo Road. Turn right on SR 419, then right again at Layer Elementary School. The trail will be on your right.

To reach the Lake Mary trailhead, take I-4 east to the Lake Mary Boulevard exit. Head east on Lake Mary about 1 mile to Reinhart Road; the trailhead is on the northeast corner.

Contact:
Seminole County Trails & Greenways
520 West Lake Mary Blvd., Suite 200
Sanford, FL 32773
(407) 665-2093

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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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A fine quasi-urban trail
By garrettste in November, 2011
I feel badly for ploiselle's (apologies if the name is wrong!) difficult experience recently. I live in Baldwin Park, Orlando, and regularly ride the Cady Way trail to connect to the portion of Cross-Seminole that heads to Oviedo - though as yet it doesn't get there. The trail as such currently terminates at Red Bug Lake Road, and I well understand the travails of crossing that road - my wife and I have yet to try! But connecting the part that is a proper trail to Cady Way produces a decent ride. Just be prepared for the crossings - it is "quasi-urban".

I've had the opportunity to ride other parts of the Cross-Seminole and - in my experience - it's a fine trail. The portion along Rinehart Road may be uninspiring, and a few miles are basically widened sidewalk (though well done at that). But there's a fine ride through a nature preserve, a delightful bridge over I-4 (wave to the drivers!), and I'll always remember seeing a space shuttle launch from a ride on the Cross-Seminole.

I'll also note that the aforementioned bridge connects the Cross-Seminole to the Seminole-Wekiva, another fine (quasi-urban) trail. This link was used when RTC rode to the national AAA office (here in Orlando) to petition for their renewed support of trail funding.

Finally, I'd like to say that - in my opinion - Seminole County has done better in recent years than neighboring Orange County when it comes to bike trails. That includes two tunnels to avoid bad intersections (like the one at Red Bug Lake Road) on the Seminole-Wekiva. I won't claim intimacy with the county's plans, but I would be surprised if there weren't significant progress on the Cross-Seminole (including closing the "missing links") in the near future. I hope RTC riders will give the trail a try.
Never again
By ploiselle in November, 2011
I am sure this will be a nice trail someday, but until someone does a better job of marking it, I will never ride it again. I made my second attempt to ride it in two years. I have ridden several dozen trails on the east coast from Maine to Florida and this is the most poorly marked trail I have ridden.

After waiting more than 5 minutes for the light (multiple cycles) to change for pedestrian to cross Red Bug Lake Road, we almost got hit crossing. It appears even though you have the right of way, a green arrow allows cars to enter the crosswalk.

After crossing, the path turns into a sidewalk. There was not even a hint as to if we were going in the right direction. We finally turned around and headed back. If you are going to set up a trail DO IT RIGHT. At least mark it. I can ride on a sidewalk almost anywhere.

Also, the directions to an unnamed trailhead on the TrailLink.com map is wrong. Why can't the trailheads on the map be named? How about listing the longitude and latitude of the trailheads for GPS use? Typing in the address of the trailhead listed on the map in our GPS, we wound up in a condo complex.

A very disappointing and very short ride. Someone needs to get their act together.

Paul
someday in sight ??? thank you Seminole county.
By 1happyreader in January, 2011
yeah,,, we are on the list,,,
should make a 20 mile link ??
thank you Seminole county.

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS

00187759

CST MISSING LINK

Project Type: Trail Projects
Project Manager: David Martin - 407-665-5610
Status: Active
From: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
To: 1A & 1B
Scope: CONSTRUCTION OF .6 MILES OF RECREATIONAL TRAIL FROM LAYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO JUST NORTH OF OLD SANFORD OVIEDO ROAD IN WINTER SPRINGS (ALONG S.R. 419).
Phases:
Construction Start: 1/2012 End: 6/2012
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