Find the top rated birding trails in Ocala, 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.
-trail_134287_st.jpg)
There don't seem to be many outdoor spaces left in crowded central Florida that offer a quiet, removed experience. This trail has it in abundance, however. Running straight as an arrow through grazing lands, forest, and wetlands, it's almost a Zen-like experience as you cruise silently along the miles. Most activity is near to the trail starting points, so after a few miles away from those, you're left to yourself. One of the best, for sure.
We rode about 13 miles of the trail starting at the Chamber of Commerce in Chiefland then traveled West at Wilcox Junction past the Suwannee River where we turned around to our starting point. The trail was wide, paved and easily navigated. Very smooth and the parts we traveled had little to no road noise. Reason for a 4 out of a 5 rating. The trail is absolutely straight with pretty much the same vegetation the whole length. Not real exciting but it is one of those trails you can lay down some uninterrupted miles. Next time in the area we will do additional sections.
At the east end of the trail cross Canal St. and make a right. Trail/sidewalk runs along Canal. Cross rt 44 into Venetian Gardens where there is a beautiful path along Harris Lake.
We rode from Croom to the south end of this amazing trail. Smooth asphalt, shaded by a canopy of trees it was a quiet place to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.
I just wanted to provide an update to individuals that have used the trail. Construction to pave the trail west from Hampton has started on January 1st from the CSX railroad crossing west across Highway 301 continuing on the former historic Southern Railway / NS right of way.
Very dirty seemed to be people hanging out, possibly living on the trail. A few tents. Sketchy surroundings would not ride alone.
I rode my bike on this trail in November, 2025. The surface was in good shape. The trail did cross may driveways into businesses and homes, as well as crossing some streets into subdivisions, none of which was a problem. The traffic noise did not bother me. I feel that it just comes with the territory of a trail alongside a highway, and then let it go. Since I did get off I 75 to bike this trail, I ended up parking at Publix Super Market, which was about midway on the trail, rather than driving to Archer. I also biked the spur or loop that included the Veterans Memorial Park. I rode a total of 26 miles, which took me about 2 1/2 hours.
The trail was about 10’ wide And definitely no bathrooms. Very desolate very very few people around we went on a Saturday afternoon. Cloudy it probably would’ve been hot if the sun was out it was 75 and cloudy if you like cows and trees you would enjoy it. We went about 7 miles and turned around. We sort of liked this path but other than that it was boring I thought and so did my wife. We started on the south end by Auburndale Trail and continued on to this trail about
Yes it is a short trail. Start on other side of 19 is best.Very popular for just spending a day riding and shops and restaurants to choose from along this easy route.
Rode from Palatka to where the trail crosses Vermont Rd about 1.5 miles from trail end. In general, the trail was very good to excellent condition, with the usual root protrusions under the tree canopy . My only real complaint is that there was no signage coming out of Palatka, and no mileage signage at all.Lo
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
