Find the top rated birding trails in De Land, 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.
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This is a beautiful ride with a very nice trail. Lots of cyclists, walkers, runners, and even roller blading. It’s very scenic and I felt safe by myself on this trail.
Pleasantly surprised with this trail! Saw a lot of different types of birds and boats along the river. The pavement was very smooth and there were quite a few benches a long the way. It was a straight shot and rarely encountered traffic. Highly recommend!
My wife and I took a three week bike trip in late winter 2025 and did 10 trails in 5 different states and the Marjorie Harris was by far the best trail of the trip. It didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect with sunshine and 73 degrees. But the trail was in great shape with plenty of small ups and downs and turns through beautiful wooded areas. It was mid week so not too busy with other riders, but the trail is nice and wide so oncoming and passing is not a problem. It did look like a popular spot for club riders though. Lots of incumbents. People were friendly. The only negative….it’s too short. We would have done 20 miles if the MH ran that far. So ride, don’t walk and put this trail on your bucket list.
We got to the trailhead on Colbert Lane today and as we drove by the entrance to the trail it was all blocked off. When we got to the trailhead where we would park our cars, there was no indication that the trailhead was closed or where you could go to get on it. There’s also no indication as to how long this would be closed. I understand the bridge is out.
This is a review of the 3 mile segment of this trail between Highbanks Road and US17/92. I walk this segment back and forth 3 times a week - 6 miles total a day. I really like it because it's close to my home and is probably the least busy of the trails in the area. It has become very frustrating lately however, because maintenance (which I've been informed is the responsibility of the City of DeBary and not Volusia County) is virtually non-existent. The grass is seldom mowed and when it is, any trash encountered is just chopped and left. The section that runs parallel to US17/92 reminds one more of the county dump than a recreational trail. Most distressing however is the fact it has become a convenient shortcut for motorized vehicles. Point this out to the offenders zipping along and you open yourself up to all kinds of verbal abuse, and today to something that bordered on a personal threat. There never has been signage reminding users of basic trail etiquette and courtesies, and most of the "NO Motorized Vehicles" signs have been knocked down. Too bad because over the three miles there are twists and turns and elevation changes along with unique viewing opportunities - wildlife, trains, wetlands.
Been walking the trail for seven years and trail is becoming more and more popular for homeless camps in the woods. Witnessed a man beating a girl. Had a man pushing a shopping cart screaming at me telling me I am walking the wrong direction. More and more trash along the trail and food on benches . All good things come to an end.
I have seen so many close calls with small children and groups renting bikes and organizing standing on the trail when speeders come down the hill and fly past them. Killarney rentals should come out the side door and not directly onto the trail or slow the traffic down.
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.
We ride the entire trail, and it was beautiful. We went later in the afternoon and saw armadillos, alligators, and assorted birds. The trail is great on a bike, and was a lot of fun in addition to the great wildlife. We will ride it again the next time thru the area. We parked at Central Park (free) and road from there.
Living in Apopka, I've been on portions of the West Orange Trail MANY times. Your description starts at the southern point at the bottom of Lake Apopka and ends with the words describing the trail ending at its southern point along Lester Rd. You should change the word "southern" to "northern". Otherwise, a nice description of a very nice trail. Thank you.
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.
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