Explore the best rated trails in Fargo, GA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Azalea City Trail and Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail . With more than 5 trails covering 66 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.
So it’s a bit rough in spots, some of the macadam is bad in a few places, but it’s a trail ride so that’s ok by me. You want perfect roads, ride on the highway. The ride down to the river is nice with a great lunch spot.
We rode the trail from the Florahome trailhead to the Keystone Heights trailhead. This section of the trail is paved, smooth, and well maintained. The keystone Heights trailhead is a little off as it’s basically in between a Wendy’s and a CVS store in the dude of a major highway. Before Keystone Heights, the trail goes primarily through trees and wetlands. There is spotty shade in some spots but otherwise full sun. It’s not a trail for summer time.
Years of trail neglect and last seasons hurricanes have made this potentially wonderful trail not worth your effort to locate.
I set about riding some of the paved sections but I was most intrigued to try the unpaved section from Hampton to New River. I rode the paved section from Lake Geneva to Hampton and back. The pavement is smooth and the section between Keystone and Hampton covers some beautiful country scenery. Highway signage for trailheads and signage at the trailheads themselves could use improvement!!!
As for the unpaved section, a comfortable seat with full suspension comes in handy as parts are bumpy from the ballast rock and some roots.
This rail trail is also part of the Florida National Scenic hiking trail. I saw one pair of hikers on this section. There are two detours required due to removed rail bridges. The detour near Lake Sampson is really minor. The detour over the New River is a much larger detour which I avoided through my routing.
I first rode west from Hampton to Sampson and back then moved my bike via car to New River and road east toward Sampson though I didnt quite reach it before returning to New River. Each out and back section clocks in around 11 miles.
The trail was quite well maintained. Often it was a clear path through a tree canopy as far as the eye I could see. Sometimes it bore through a natural habitat and other times through pine tree farms. This unpaved section is also the most remote. It did require crossing a major US Highway (301) and two different rail lines. If or when it gets paved, it will be the best section on the entire trail. For now, it is for intermediate+ riders.
Rode twice from the eastern terminus. The trail is almost completely flat and straight. There are some crossings at the beginning but they aren’t busy. The trail is mostly shaded and goes through a mix of forests and swamps. I rode over a 2.5 foot copperhead that I didn’t see until it was too late to avoid. There are bathrooms at the eastern end. I think there was a portable toilet at the other end. The trail was all paved and the surface in good condition. There is a train crossing about 3 miles from the western end. On one trip we waited for a couple of trains. Last year we used it and had a train stop on the tracks blocking access to our car. With help from a local we navigated around the train using roads.
Driving Rt 100 out of town, once you pass the SJ River Water Management District office, you will start to see pull off and parking spots on your right. Especially at Coventry Oaks Farm.
Drove 30-plus miles to try this trail. Did not see ANY signage Route 100 West outside of Palatka for accessing the trail. It was noted on maps as being west of the Palatka airport. Drove a large distance looking for any signage or improved access point with area parking. A big waste of time. Please add signage for the trailhead on Route 100!
It has been a week since the storm came thought, The Trail is a Mess!!! Needs to be cleaned up right away.
We started (10:30 am) at Twin Lakes Park In Keystone Heights (has nice picnic tables and clean restrooms), they should have a sign here. Out of parking lot turn right (left is toward Keystone- to Hampton) we headed toward Palatka. We rode 12.5 miles out to Baywood, few miles past Floraville - cute place stop, with restrooms and tables. On way out the first 2-3 miles is lots of sun, after that good shade and more sun. Mile 3 from twin lakes park is the Sunoco gas Station, mile 8 is a circle K gas station. We did see a small Black bear on trial. I road a regular road bike and hubby on his Ebike. The trail conditions were great! Only time I heard traffic was if a semi came by your in the trees. It’s not bad.
After the two big storms this year, there are trees that are down all over both sides , directly blocking the trail. Small branches and leaves cover 50% of it. A couple teams with chainsaw and a brush cleaner machine could take care of this in less than a couple days. I sure hope it’s soon as this trail is fantastic.
I rode this a couple of weeks ago, starting at the Florahome Trailhead, approximately 10.5 miles east of the Keystone Heights Trailhead. This segment is in real good condition, although there are quite a few tree limbs hanging down that need to be trimmed back. Even with an early start, most of the trail was under the Sun. It is approximately 12 miles from Florahome to the end of the paved trail, a few miles west of Palatka. I've now ridden the entire paved section from Hampton to Palatka, approximately 31.5 miles. Surprised at how lightly traveled this trail is compared to the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail which is only 14.5 miles in length.
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