Explore the best rated trails in Gainesville, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Withlacoochee State Trail and 6th Street Rail Trail . With more than 19 trails covering 262 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.
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.
Agree with all the comments on beauty. No place to buy food or beverages on the trail. Several picnic sites. Only use bottle water dispenser not hoses for water
I distance skate on quads and I actually had finished the full Withalacooche and decided to do this one too. AMAZING SURFACE AND PERFECT FOR SKATES. Flew through this trail. Loved the bridge. Beautiful marsh area. Lots of people walking but still very enjoyable and beautiful.
Had an excellent ride today. Nice trail, wide bike paths. Lots of bathrooms and picnic tables. Will go back.
K and K rode from Cross City to Fanning and had BBQ The first part is along the road and open and loud with truck noise Long and straight following the overhead power lines Paved and in good condition
This trail is just outstanding. There is just not enough you can say about it. We road only the paved part but it is beautiful. We saw deer and wild turkeys and even heard an owl. The trail is smooth and wide and everyone was very respectful. We liked the fact that has a nice mix of shade and sun. Also the fact that it has some moderate hills and how it winds through the forest is great. Highly recommend!!
My wife and I just did a 24 mile ride there on our ebikes. Beautiful wide and SMOOTH trails through the Florida woods. Many gentle hills and plenty of curves. Nice trail head with restrooms.
We rode twice on this trail on Feb. 2-3 starting at the Central Motel in Inverness, FL. It is a very, very nice trail. We did 10 miles south from our motel and then rode from the motel north to the South Citrus Springs Trailhead, 26 miles round trip. Very busy on a beautiful Saturday morning with an even mix of recumbants, e-bikes and bikes - very few kids riding. When we go back to Florida next year, this trail and this motel are on the agenda again.
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 :,)
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