Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Florida, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Well maintained and well used trail. Great for watching fishing birds, dolphin, and other wildlife. We didn't have time to go further into Clearwater to see if it connects to the Pinellis Trail as cited in other descriptions. It definitely gives access to the paths on S. Bayshore Blvd. and the Clearwater East- West Trail for additional mileage. There is some parking at the mid point but we parked at Skyway Park on the east side and had easy access to the trail. There are a couple of nice restaurants with bay side views to celebrate your ride at. Probably Florida's 2nd longest waterside ride after Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
We just rode from Key Largo to key Wat and has a great ride. The only reason I do not give the trail 5 stars is that there is a good deal of hurricane related impact on the trail and not many good sources to see just where this impact is. The good news is that there is always the option of riding on the Overseas Highway Bike Path. If you don't mind being on the road, it is excellent. Some of the off Highway paths are sensational. There are dedicated channel bike bridges, but many are not open. Be sure to look at signs for "no outlet" before you cross one of these bridges. The Channel 5 bike bridge does NOT go through. I found ample space on the side of the road for biking on the bridges. Some in our party did not. The 7 mile bridge is both exhilarating and terrifying. Uber is a viable option for the weak at heart. There is a lot of debris on the paths. Our group had 4 nail related flat tires. The amenities are great along the way and there are bike shops along the way. Riding from Key West to Key Largo, the head wind was a factor. We all agreed that we would do the trail again.
We started at the North End near the Commodore Trail entrance and rode south. There are a dozen or more free-parking spots around the circle. The trail on this end is bumpy due to large tree roots, which slows you down. Once you pass Matheson Park, (the Trail goes into/thru the park for about 2-3 blocks distance, turn into the park, stay to the right, and pick up the trail on the right), after you exit from the park you must cross the road (we missed the sign) then turn right, into a gated community onto Snapper Lane/105th Street. Having missed the trail sign, we backtracked, then stopped at the gate house to asked the gate keeper if she knew where the Old Cutler Trail was. She said she is asked that question "all the time", then directed us thru the gate she opened for us, told us to go straight for a quarter mile, then on the right, go thru an opening in the black fence where the trail resumes. From then on the trail (is very well marked) has less shade the further you go, but the surface is smooth. It crosses several intersections. with heavy road traffic. Maybe because it was a Sunday, there were lots of cars, trucks pulling boats, jet skis, etc. It was getting late (6pm) so we turned around about a mile or two from the end, stopping at a shopping center to get something to eat/drink. Overall, trail was nice, we felt safe the whole time, you pass thru some upscale neighborhoods, you never felt isolated, and if you stop at Matheson Park for awhile, you can rent a kayak or paddle board or swim. Made for a nice afternoon to cycle the trail and get some exercise, but i doubt this was a former "rail" converted to a "trail". If you are looking to cover some distance, ride to get your heart rate up, and be alone with mother nature, this would not meet that goal. The trail seems more like a shared bike/walk trail that connects all the neighborhoods along Cutler Road.
I love this trail and feel really safe while running it. The only advise I could give is to bring water, as the sections of open road really leave you exposed to the sun. There are different entry points on to the trail and the markers are visible.
This trail is great when it comes to biking in Florida. Beautiful scenery, lots of forest riding and farms. Few miles of highway riding. Can make this ride 50+ miles easily.
We started at the south at the Polk City trailhead and traveled north. The trail quickly goes into rural and then mostly wild surroundings on both sides of the trail. Looking at the maps, you can see the wildlife management area, but the same type of flora is found earlier in along the trail. A few houses, and views over farming on the east side of the trail.
Make sure to go far enough to get to 'The Bridges' which are near Withla on Google Maps. We saw alligators, snakes and hawks, and a lot of other birds and lizards.
Starting at the NW Trailhead Colonial Blvd and Ortiz, there is a three mile section heading west that is completely off road and a very nice canal ride. Two road crossings. At that point I encountered a sign claiming the trail ended. I made my way south on Metro Pkwy in a well marked bike lane turning left (west) on Colonial Blvd for a block before getting on the Yarbrough trail again (TenMile Canal). At Daniels Pkwy there is a section that advises going down the the crossing lane, and since it is a very busy and wide Pkwy, I followed that advise. Back on the canal the trail continues to the technical end at the 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. I continued to ride it back up to my original start for a 19+ mile ride.
Loved the trail and the wildlife and flora along the trail. I chased a two foot long iguana for a short time, until it finally heard me coming up behind.
It's a well maintained trail, and well used. A great ride.
At several points along the way the trail split--but no signs. They have some nice kiosks but with no maps just a bunch of stuff about plants, etc. Nice but I need to have better directions--not just guessing or following other people. The "hills"aren't much but still a little variety from most of FLs flat trails, even with crampy legs the "hills" weren't much challenge.
The new western segment from Hiawatha Park about 3 miles out was very nice; hope they extend it beyond the little bike cul de sac. Overall a nice trail, except for lots of road crossings and lack of signage.
Nice ride, almost straight & flat. The western part near Brooksville is somewhat rough & bumpy--probably been around longer than the newer more easterly section which is very smooth. The connection to the Withlacoochee makes it worth doing especially since it's pretty short. Great start in connecting these trails as in other states such as MN, IA, WI.
Beautiful trail, but limited access. The Ross state park pavilion area only about a quarter mile away on state road 200. Please build a feeder trail.
Went on a great bike ride today she enjoyed herself and soda die
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