Explore the best rated trails in Ocala, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Neighborhood Lakes Scenic Trail and UF Campus Greenway . With more than 33 trails covering 406 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 started at the Floral City trailhead and rode to Croom. 13.5 miles. 27 round trip. All beautiful shaded tree canopy. About 6-7 miles from Floral City right on the trail at Istachatta is a great ice cream and sandwich shop. Would definitely ride again. We saw a deer and wild turkeys.
Rode on Saturday Veterans Day. The parade in Palatka was great. We parked at Riverfront Park. Rode across street to the Quality Inn parking lot and right there you can catch the trail over the river. Rest of trail easy to follow. It’s 3.5 miles to the start of the tree canopy portion. Trees end at 6.7. Then a straight hot ride along Hwy 207 to Hastings for a total of 11 miles. It was 84 today so feeling the heat and humidity. I was expecting a longer section of tree canopy. I’m glad we did it but most likely would not be in my list of repeats.
If you don't have a full-suspension mountain bike, I would recommend NOT doing this trail. If getting your teeth almost rattled loose, then, yes, this is the trail for you. I started out @ the Green Mountain Trailhead parking area. I expected crushed stone on the switchbacks coming off the mountain, but I expected that to turn into asphalt at "lake level". For the next 8 miles, I kept expecting pavement, but was sorely disappointed. I had initially expected to do the whole 17-mile O/W (34 mile R/T) trip to Magnolia Park, but quickly realized that would turn into a whole-day affair at my average speed of 8 mph. To say nothing about the wear-and-tear on my body. Absolutely horrible rutted, pock-marked, eroded limestone the whole way. I finally "bailed" at the North Shore Trailhead (the 8-mile mark). Rather than take that horrible trail back to the Green Mountain Trailhead, I resolved to take roads back -- which added 4 miles to the trip but was worth it. This, in spite of having to climb two substantial hills towards the end of the ride (Green Mountain is a sister mountain to Sugarloaf Mountain, with similar climbs).
Also, the scenery is rather bland. Barren scrub brush with no trees. Flat as a pancake. Some people claim there's substantial wildlife. I didn't see any. I did hope to maybe see a gator sunning itself, but no luck.
Out of curiosity, I went to Google Maps to see what the Magnolia Park end of the trail looks like. As far as I can tell from satellite view, as soon as the trail leaves Binion Road out of Magnolia Park, the limestone starts. It may be in better shape than the horrible stuff I encountered, but I'm not going to waste my time finding out. Lake & Orange Counties have much better trails.
We rode the trail from Prairie Creek Preserve to Depot Park in Gainesville. Shaded with beautiful trees, nice hills & curves on the way. Great lunch at Goldie’s Burgers at Depot Park.
Beautiful trail and absolutely worth the time. Went on Sunday afternoon about 1:30/2pm and the trail only had a few people (less than 15) for the first couple miles. After that we were the only ones on the trail. Pavement has some bumps due to tree roots here and there, but they are mostly mild. Trail follows along a stream on both sides for portions of the mileage. Overall beautiful and 90%+ shaded. Gorgeous!
You now can pedal from Keystone Heights to the town of Hampton, adding about six more miles of paved trail to enjoy.
There is an amazing quality to the vistas you can find here. Undeveloped rolling hills of grass and trees, eerie stillness, and strange dreamlike feelings galore. Extremely liminal, particularly in the early evening. Bring your own water!!
Rode the trail end to end. It is a nice trail, nothing really sticks out except spud farms and view going over St. John’s River. Mostly open to the sun when riding along SR 207, shaded when trail deviates away. Surface was pretty good, better heading west than east.
I was able to add a few more miles in Palatka than shown on map, finished with 48 miles. Will ride again.
Little over 5 mi round trip on this trail. Nice and quiet. A safe ride. Not a lot of shade or people around. There's a Little hill you can get up to 25 miles an hour going down it.
Hands down the most beautiful trail to be found. Lots of trees, cool shade and well maintained. I particularly like the segment from the 49th Street Trailhead that leads to the Santos Trail versus toward 200.
Started at Dunnellon and after several miles turned back. There is absolutely no shade whatsoever and not much to look at as it runs behind homes.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
