Find the top rated birding trails in Gainesville, 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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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.
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”.
Hawthorne parking lot needs work! Weeds are knee high and a fair amount of trash!. Great ride and trail is in good shape! It would not take much work to bring the parking lot up to the same standards as the rest of the trail! I’m
I rode the trail for the first time this morning. Very wide trail, and it appears like the horizon is all straight paved trail. Smooth ride into the shaded areas. I went a good four miles and headed back. great trail to test bike performance, certainly a good trail to test all 21 speeds on my 21 speed. I look forward to biking the trail again, further and faster.
Parked at Twin Lakes Park on a weekday before school was out, so nobody around. Felt like a safe area, picnic shelter and restroom but no shade to park under. Flat trail (of course), wide, smooth pavement. Came across one short stretch of trail that was underwater, but only a few inches deep and I coasted slowly across without getting my feet wet.
Rode east to the very abrupt end, and saw that it appears construction is actively taking place or will take place this summer. Florahome has nice new facilities and feels very welcoming. West from Twin Lakes Park became suburban and quickly more urban. I turned around at the first stoplight and rode back to the car generally satisfied with the ride.
Others have warned on here of car break-ins, but recently a woman was held at gunpoint at the sweet water outlook and was demanded to give up her bike, phone, and wallet. This is a beautiful trail, but now I don’t feel as safe riding on it.
Be aware that there have been a lot of car breakins at this parking lot at Boulware Park. Our car was broken into on Wednesday May 23, 2018. Gainesville PD report numerous monthly break ins at this lot...BEWARE AND LOCK UP, LEAVE NO VALUABLES.
Lots of good things happening on the trail in 2018. The construction east of Roberts Lane is coming along nicely and should be finished in the fall of 2018. At this time the bridge over Rice Creek is close to being finished.
Also in the news..
The ribbon cutting for the NEW pavilion at the Florahome trail head took place on May 23, 2018. A really nice pavilion with 4 tables (handicap accessible). A nice spot to get out of the sun.... Or rain in Florida.
Also a ribbon cutting for the NEW playground at the Florahome trail head took place on May 20, 2018. A really nice shaded area for the kids to play.
Coming soon to the trail head an information kiosk filled with history of the park and grounds that used to be the Florahome train depot. The park that the pavilion and playground are a part of is called Palmetto Park.
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