Find the top rated hike trails in Gainesville, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Parked at the far east trailhead. Good parking and facilities. Great visibility with signals where you need to cross 207. Pavement is a little rough on westside of trail around Armstrong. Best to keep both hands engaged through that area. Rode it twice this week. Met a few others along the way. Highly recommend it.
Rode twice from the eastern terminus. The trail is almost completely flat and straight. There are some crossings at the beginning but they aren’t busy. The trail is mostly shaded and goes through a mix of forests and swamps. I rode over a 2.5 foot copperhead that I didn’t see until it was too late to avoid. There are bathrooms at the eastern end. I think there was a portable toilet at the other end. The trail was all paved and the surface in good condition. There is a train crossing about 3 miles from the western end. On one trip we waited for a couple of trains. Last year we used it and had a train stop on the tracks blocking access to our car. With help from a local we navigated around the train using roads.
Rode every inch on this trail back and forth. Not too much nature but one very small section. Should be called the Highway Trail most of it is right next to the highway. I've been on rail to trails all over the country this is my least favorite. You pass thru a lot of very trashy areas near Cross City, Chiefland and ride next to the highway A LOT. You see more broken down should be condemned trashy single wide trailers than nature. Also this is the only trail I've ever seen where the were to lazy to pull the rails up first. They just slapped the blacktop right on top. Big waste of good steel and it's causing problems all over the trail.
Parked off a dirt lot about the midway point of the trail. Rode west, enjoyed a view of the gulf at the endpoint, then turned around, and road the 6+ miles to the other end. If I had a complaint, it would be that the trail didn't go further.
This trail got a makeover that is now complete! It’s super smooths and perfect for a speed skating session. I love this trail! It brings you all the way to Ichetucknee-Oleno (which needs to be redone tbh). But this trail has such amazing quality and I enjoy the scenery north of Branford.
I have rode this a few times now since I live right here. It’s nice, convenient, and everyone I come across on the trail has been friendly and will say hi and or wave to you. You can veer off the trail and go up into the many neighborhoods to get some extra miles in if you would like.
Wow! What a ride! I’ve just recently started bicycling again. So I have been breaking my rides down into half or less to get back into shape. Today it was quite windy. The trail had a few hills that gave my legs a good workout. My intention was to bike for only 4 miles then turn around. But before I knew it, I had completed the 7 mile trail. The trail was challenging, but exhilarating! I saw a few cute shops and restaurants that I want to go back and explore. Anyone looking for a challenge on the trails, this is it for you.
Drove 30-plus miles to try this trail. Did not see ANY signage Route 100 West outside of Palatka for accessing the trail. It was noted on maps as being west of the Palatka airport. Drove a large distance looking for any signage or improved access point with area parking. A big waste of time. Please add signage for the trailhead on Route 100!
It has been a week since the storm came thought, The Trail is a Mess!!! Needs to be cleaned up right away.
Doctors Lake bike Trail was my first bike ride since I started biking again. It’s not very scenic except for the animated faces on some of the trees that line the trail. The people that were out either bike riding or jogging or just walking were all very friendly. It was nice to see other people out doing activities.
We started (10:30 am) at Twin Lakes Park In Keystone Heights (has nice picnic tables and clean restrooms), they should have a sign here. Out of parking lot turn right (left is toward Keystone- to Hampton) we headed toward Palatka. We rode 12.5 miles out to Baywood, few miles past Floraville - cute place stop, with restrooms and tables. On way out the first 2-3 miles is lots of sun, after that good shade and more sun. Mile 3 from twin lakes park is the Sunoco gas Station, mile 8 is a circle K gas station. We did see a small Black bear on trial. I road a regular road bike and hubby on his Ebike. The trail conditions were great! Only time I heard traffic was if a semi came by your in the trees. It’s not bad.
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