Find the top rated birding trails in Cypress Gardens, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
As a long time user of the Withlacoochee State Trail I noticed the pavement over the past 10 years has been neglected. The paved surface is extremely bumpy and somewhat dangerous especially at the north end of the Trail. Passing other riders is dangerous because you never know when an edge pothole is going to take you out as you pass. In addition, it seems riders on this trail like to spread out making passing with available pavement dangerous. What ever happened to the rule "keep right". I would go somewhere else to ride.
Ive read some of the other reviews and as for me?...Orlando and Orange County are doing great with getting trails in place. Seminole County should learn from them. This trail is pretty awesome if you live nearby you can jump on and off and get just about anything you want if you know the area. If you just visiting stay in Baldwin Park and enjoy all they have to offer.
Drove over an hour to do trail - and it’s closed!
This trail is very peaceful and easy to walk. Mile markers every half mile (though some are obliterated), potable water on both ends of the trail, and a bathroom on the south end. I recommend bringing a cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and a water bottle; you will need them. It takes me about five hours to walk the whole thing, round trip. The only fly in the ointment is that there's a lot of really trashy yards near the trail - mostly old cars and buses that have been sitting and rusting for a long time. I even saw a few cars from the 1950s that have apparently been rotting for decades! That's made up for by the beautiful scenery.
In a nutshell: I recommend this trail for a beginner. It's in a straight line. so you can't get lost, and it's close to civilization besides. It's a good way to see rural Florida, but close enough to civilization so that bears and crocodiles are not a problem.
I share the same sentiment of many reviews made already. I will take partial credit for not reading the description of the trail in full detail. I had no idea that the trail disconnects in many places and expands through heavy traffic. I also drove an hour to get to this trail, looking forward to 22.8 miles one way as opposed to 22.8 round trip. Very disappointing.
First bike trail I’ve ridden since moving to Florida. I really enjoyed this one. Goes past the Kissimmee Historic Society, & it’s a very scenic ride.
2019-03-05 Beautiful Saturday allowed me to enjoy an equally beautiful bike ride through this trail - which by the way can connect to Casselberry Trail ( if you want to make it a longer ride experience) I enjoyed the scenery. It is an easy Walk, Skate, In-line Skate, Jog or Bike Ride Come check it out for yourselves :-)
We started at the south at the Polk City trailhead and traveled north. The trail quickly goes into rural and then mostly wild surroundings on both sides of the trail. Looking at the maps, you can see the wildlife management area, but the same type of flora is found earlier in along the trail. A few houses, and views over farming on the east side of the trail.
Make sure to go far enough to get to 'The Bridges' which are near Withla on Google Maps. We saw alligators, snakes and hawks, and a lot of other birds and lizards.
At several points along the way the trail split--but no signs. They have some nice kiosks but with no maps just a bunch of stuff about plants, etc. Nice but I need to have better directions--not just guessing or following other people. The "hills"aren't much but still a little variety from most of FLs flat trails, even with crampy legs the "hills" weren't much challenge.
The new western segment from Hiawatha Park about 3 miles out was very nice; hope they extend it beyond the little bike cul de sac. Overall a nice trail, except for lots of road crossings and lack of signage.
We have done the Auburndale Trail many times. The trail itself is fine and well maintained, however, the bathrooms are a disgrace! Many times in the past it would be out of toilet paper or slightly dirty. We overlooked these shortcomings, thinking we were just catching it on an off day. Today it was so horrible I felt I had to say something. I also have photos to prove my point but I haven't figured out where to post them yet. The women's toilet was so backed up it was disgusting to even look at. There was toilet paper and trash all over the floor. The men's bathroom didn't have the same extreme problem, but was totally out of toilet paper. A better job needs to be done.
This loop trail is a great ride and allows for viewing natural surroundings. My wife and I started at the park headquarters where we paid our $2 parking fee and used the restrooms. The loop is plenty wide enough to accommodate slower, casual riders such as our selves while allowing more serious riders (and skaters) to pass. We took the 2 mile extension to the other park entrance where more facilities and refreshment is available. The main path was under water, but a foot bridge has been constructed to get over it.
If one were to ride this repeatedly, it might get a little boring I suspect. But for a couple of northerners escaping the cold, it was a little taste of heaven.
Just up the road from the park is the development of Cross Creek with lots of good places to eat.
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