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Enjoyed the ride very much. The trail overall is in great shape and very smooth. Our only issue was after starting in Keystone Heights heading toward Palatka, the trail was completely underwater and impassable after only 7 miles so we had to turn around. I would put in on the Palatka end next time.
We finally got to ride the western part of the Palatka to St. Augustine Trail today that runs from Hastings to Palatka. I reviewed the eastern part, St. Augustine to Hastings a few weeks ago.
There is plenty of parking in Hastings on Main St. but we parked in the Post Office lot a block off Main for safety reasons. The trail goes right through town and you pick it up on Main St. The first part is through local neighborhoods where unfortunately some locals find it fun to break beer bottles on the trail so use caution. Once out of town you border farm fields with an open trail which would be very hot in warmer months. A few miles down the trail though you get into some shade but not much. It appears the trail is not much used as we saw only 4-5 other cyclists but it was a week day. As you get closer to Palatka it narrows and then becomes essentially a sidewalk and once in town crosses many parking lots so safety could be an issue. The trail near Palatka also becomes very trashy and industrial.
All in all though this is a great ride. If you wanted to go from St. Augustine (actually Vermont Heights about 3 miles out of St. A.) to Palatka it would be a very good ride mileage wise. There is beautiful farmland, creeks with very nice bridges across, and lots of wildlife, mainly large birds. In Hastings there is a fantastic restaurant named Norma D's Kitchen, "The Local Spot" that has great food. Right on Main Street about 100 yards from the trail, it is open only for breakfast and lunch and is well worth either starting there after a big breakfast or ending there for lunch. We had breakfast and were very happy with the food and service, and price! Our next ride we plan to start there and back for lunch.
My family and friends walk this trail all the time, and drive out to the parking lot. We always see animals and fish in their natural habitat. It would be unusual not to see dolphins here, fishing in the barge canal and at the end of the walk/near the picnic tables is great.
We road the trail today from St. Augustine, actually Vermont Heights where there is parking and bathrooms, to Hastings. The section between Spuds and Hastings is now complete so you can ride all the way to Palatka. The new section is fantastic with some great bridges and farm fields. Most of the trail has plenty of shade also. There is still some finish work to be done but it is completely surfaced and ready to ride. It was great seeing so many people out today from serious riders to families on cruiser bikes. If you do the ride plan on being in Hastings early morning and hit up Norma's Kitchen for breakfast. We were not able to get there at that time but will plan around that next time.
Ride this trail today on our tandem. I had been told about the unfinished gap between Spuds and Hastings. The gap is now completed and you can ride the trail the entire distance.
We love hiking in the mountains and sadly that is not really something we can do here in FL. So my husband, 2-year-old and I went out for a fun family day. The trail was great! Friendly people, well maintained and overall a great day. We stopped and walked around the Civil War camp and went off to have lunch in Baldwin. I just wish they had signed it a bit better, we went all the way to the end and had to turn around because we missed the town.
Had a great ride on the new section of Trail. Added a good five miles. This is a very flat and smooth Trail.
I really like this trail. It is shady most of the way. It crosses a few small roads in the beginning. The rest of the way it tunnels under roads and there is bridge that goes over I-75. There are mirrors at turns so you can see if anyone is coming. Clearly marked signs and crosswalk where other trails crossover. The entire trail is 15.66 miles and ends at 200 for now. There are plans to extend it to Dunnellon. Theres a Walmart a mile and a half from the end. I the scenery is beautiful and there were a couple of people out riding horses. Overall I felt very safe on this trail.
We are fairly new riders. Rode 12 miles before heading back. Saw a deer and thought it was a nice trail.
Very disappointed on this trail.
Nice little parking lot and a shady beginning of the trail. That lasted for about 5 minutes. Then it was just a paved trail along Hwy 17.
Some of it was separated by trees but mostly right next to a busy road and lots of intersections you have to cross. I would not recommend this trail.
We used Inverness as our start/finish since the parking is perfect and we love the town of Inverness. The trail is well maintained with a good blend of sun and shade. Well marked and a good feel of “Old Florida”.
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