Explore the best rated trails in Cross City, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Withlacoochee Bay Trail and Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Nature Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 105 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.
We rode about 13 miles of the trail starting at the Chamber of Commerce in Chiefland then traveled West at Wilcox Junction past the Suwannee River where we turned around to our starting point. The trail was wide, paved and easily navigated. Very smooth and the parts we traveled had little to no road noise. Reason for a 4 out of a 5 rating. The trail is absolutely straight with pretty much the same vegetation the whole length. Not real exciting but it is one of those trails you can lay down some uninterrupted miles. Next time in the area we will do additional sections.
I rode my bike on this trail in November, 2025. The surface was in good shape. The trail did cross may driveways into businesses and homes, as well as crossing some streets into subdivisions, none of which was a problem. The traffic noise did not bother me. I feel that it just comes with the territory of a trail alongside a highway, and then let it go. Since I did get off I 75 to bike this trail, I ended up parking at Publix Super Market, which was about midway on the trail, rather than driving to Archer. I also biked the spur or loop that included the Veterans Memorial Park. I rode a total of 26 miles, which took me about 2 1/2 hours.
We live here and love this trail. We walk it and ride our e-bikes on it and it’s been great since they repaved it. They even added a bridge across the river by Ichetucknee Springs State Park that connects this trail to the O’Leno Trail. Hopefully they will repave the O’Leno Trail one day. Be aware that sadly the locals also use the trail with their golf carts and worse, their ATV’s. Even kids younger than 16 drive them on the trail. Most people are respectful of the walkers and bikers but not all so be careful. Hopefully it won’t take someone getting hurt to get the rules enforced.
This is a terrific ride on paved trail through shaded natural landscapes. Pine and live oak uplands and cypress swamps. The trail bed is in very good condition except for some minor root bumps here and there. Enjoyed the challenge of some long but gentle hills near the Gainesville end. We rode hybrid bikes so medium narrow tires and did nearly the entire trail and back again in two and a half hours of actual riding.
I love riding rail trails because you don’t need to worry about traffic ! Cross over a few roads but nothing major until you get into Gainesville. But there are crossing signals and traffic was good about stopping. Recommend you eat at The Wrap Shack if you ride into Hawthorne.
Rode every inch on this trail back and forth. Not too much nature but one very small section. Should be called the Highway Trail most of it is right next to the highway. I've been on rail to trails all over the country this is my least favorite. You pass thru a lot of very trashy areas near Cross City, Chiefland and ride next to the highway A LOT. You see more broken down should be condemned trashy single wide trailers than nature. Also this is the only trail I've ever seen where the were to lazy to pull the rails up first. They just slapped the blacktop right on top. Big waste of good steel and it's causing problems all over the trail.
Parked off a dirt lot about the midway point of the trail. Rode west, enjoyed a view of the gulf at the endpoint, then turned around, and road the 6+ miles to the other end. If I had a complaint, it would be that the trail didn't go further.
This trail got a makeover that is now complete! It’s super smooths and perfect for a speed skating session. I love this trail! It brings you all the way to Ichetucknee-Oleno (which needs to be redone tbh). But this trail has such amazing quality and I enjoy the scenery north of Branford.
This is a great trail. If you don’t have all day to get a work out. It goes along a beautiful canal that leads to the Gulf of Mexico. The complete stretch round-trip is a little over 13 miles. There are areas where there’s beautiful views and several places to stop to take in the scenery. We also saw a lot of wildlife. Well maintained. Good for riding bikes, horseback riding, or walking.
Drove to south entrance of Ichetucknee State park and it was not clear where the trail began, so we went to the north entrance, which is NOT the right place. Drove to O’Leno State Park and noticed a paved trail along the high meat again.
Did the entire trail and came in with 64 miles overall on roller skates. Started Trenton. The Trenton asphalt isn’t too great quality but it is doable. The Suwannee River Bridge is beautiful but usually where the traffic of the trail is. Skated to the end in Cross City. It’s very open in this section which can be difficult with wind. I will say the surface is better in this leg. Skated back from Cross City and took the Wilcox Junction to Chiefland. The Chiefland leg is shaded and has a good quality surface for most of it. All three of the depots are cute. I think Chiefland’d depot is the prettiest….but also getting to it sucks since you must cross a busy road. Overall, this trail is quiet and a beautiful tel. Saw a garter snake and lots of rabbits
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