Find the top rated running trails in Ocala, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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
Been riding this trail for over 15 years and it's been a very good place to ride until about a month ago(06/2018 when everything change.The weeds along the trail haven't been cut,the trail has weeds growing in the cracks,the trash cans are always full of trash,and the bathrooms are a mess,no toilet paper,trash on the floors,toilets plugup.The bridge near the Polk City trailhead has been under construction for over a month.Maybe they should bring back Ross.He got the job done.
I visited this Bike Trail for the first time yesterday AFTER our typical afternoon rain showers. Luckily for me Sun came back out, Trail was nice and cool. The views from the trail and the lake are AMAZING! Great Leg Workout too. Little hills in Florida - who knew?!?!? LOL
WOW I can not say enough about this trail. We rode all 29 miles of it from end point to end point for 60 miles total. The trail is totally flat. No incline at all. The trail wisp through marsh lands, Wooded land, Pasture fields and small towns at each end point trail head. There is plenty of shaded areas however the areas in the sun can get quite hot for long stretches. Lots of water is required for this ride. Along the way we say 6 10 to 12 foot alligators one 4 footer and numerous baby's about 1 to 2 feet long. We saw them from one of the many swamp overpasses. We saw none on the path or near it. The ones we saw were close to us but below us. We saw numerous turtles, pelicans, cows,panther,numerous style birds. The trail is about a 50 minute drive from Clearwater and we did that in rush hour. There were nominal places to eat or water fountains in comparison to typical trails. The trail is maintained well. There are sheltered areas to cool off about every 5 miles. The trail was also pretty well traveled the day we were on it. Still it was a pleasant ride. This is a great trail and I rank it 5 stars. I have traveled across the country on great trails. This is in my top five. Just be prepared for the unexpected and bring water. Limited food too.
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.
this trail offers a view of nature and wildlife at its best as you ride along the trail. you will need to be on the lookout for snakes and turtle crossing the trail. The trail is clean and well maintained.
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Started from the Vermont Heights ¿ trailhead, ¿
new restrooms here, not finished yet.
Rode north 2.4 miles to the end near I-95.
Rode south about 6.2 miles to the new trailhead at Armstrong Park. Restrooms, parking and picnic tables available.
West about a mile to the end in Spuds at CR-207. Can see trail work in progress West of CR-207.
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Crossing CR-207 both times easy with Flashing lights and cooperating drivers.
Returned to Vermont Heights for a 17.4 mile ride.
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First time on this trail with my wife. Generally run 30-40 miles at a time on our Bents. Parked at the northern end which has a $3.00 self pay station. Seemed pretty safe with the highway traffic going by, more of a chance people will see and report incidents? Started out hilly and not much to view paralleling the highway, very hot so we turned around after five miles. No water stops up to that point or at trail head. A composting toilet would be a great thought for the trail head. (had to drive 5 miles to a grocery store for facilities) Decided to follow the trail from the highway and survey the sites. State Road 50 trail head had a great restroom facility but parking lot was secluded which made me nervous to park my vehicle there. The trail followed the highway the majority of the distance with what looked like little to no shade for most of the way. I would recommend this trail to those that are training for races but not for the casual biking trip. Definitely carry water on this trail and spare tube for emergency purposes. There are other trails that are more family/casual rider friendly.
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