Hiking & Biking
The Green Mountain Scenic Byway is unique in that the roadway itself is a popular recreational resource. The Byway is an international destination for touring and competitive cyclists and is one of the most heavily used cycling routes in Florida. It is also extremely popular with motorcyclists, car clubs, and Sunday drivers who are drawn to the Byway’s rolling hills and gentle curves.
Additional Trail Info
West Orange Trail
The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile world-class rail-trail, which travels through the communities of Oakland, Winter Garden and Apopka just minutes from Orlando. It also connects with the South Lake Trail heading west. Some things to see on the trail are a xeriscape/butterfly garden about a mile east of the Oakland Outpost, the Winter Garden Historical Museum and beautiful views of Lake Apopka. The trail also provides access to Clarcona Horseman’s Park, with an equestrian staging area for their visit. The West Orange trail is a significant segment of the nearly-completed Lake Apopka Loop trail and will also be a component of the 250 mile Coast to Coast Trail that will connect St Petersburg to Titusville.
More info: West Orange Trail
Montverde Greenway Trail
The Montverde Greenway trail was built in 2004 by the Town of Montverde with the help of the Green Mountain Scenic Byway Committee and a Recreational Trails grant from the Office of Greenways and Trails. It is a paved bicycle and pedestrian trail that is a little over a half mile and was built on part of the old Tavares and Gulf Railroad track line. The trail was extended several years later and connects to Truskett Park on the bank of Lake Apopka. Addition of other segments expanding the trail north and west along CR 455 are envisioned.
Oakland Nature Preserve
The Oakland Nature Preserve’s vision is to, “promote understanding of the fragile balances among land, water, mankind, and the environment by EDUCATING present and future generations about the natural systems of the Lake Apopka Basin and by RESTORING and CONSERVING the lands within the Preserve.” The Preserve encompasses approximately 150 acres of land – 48 acres of uplands and 100+ acres of forested wetlands – and includes a boardwalk to Lake Apopka with a classroom-sized pavilion on the lakefront, and a pavilion on the West Orange Trail.
Oakland Nature Preserve
747 Machete Trail
Oakland, FL 34787
(407) 905-0054
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain Challenge is a 39.7 mile loop trail located near Clermont, Florida and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for road biking and is accessible year-round. Sugarloaf is the highest point in peninsula Florida. Because of the challenge that it provides, it attracts many aggressive riders, especially those living in the flatter areas of Florida. Rising to the grand elevation of 312 feet, Sugar Loaf affords a panoramic view of glistening Lake Apopka and various smaller lakes. Former citrus groves, once patterns of orange and grapefruit trees, now await development. Terrain: flat to rolling hills.
Here are a few different routes from MapmyRide with notes on how to get to Sugarloaf Mountain:
Lake Hiawatha
Lake Hiawatha Preserve is a 220-acre passive park that includes two dog parks, a playground, picnic pavilion and restrooms adjacent to and connected to the South Lake Trail and future Coast 2 Coast trail.
Lake Hiawatha
450 12th St (west of the roundabout)
Clermont, FL 34711
Lake County Trails Info
The South Lake Trail
The 12.6-mile South Lake Trail connects to the 22-mile West Orange Trail at the Killarney Station Trailhead, which is located on the Byway in Oakland. The trail then connects to the 6.1-mile Hancock Trail. The South Lake Trail is a segment of the Coast to Coast Trail. South Lake and Hancock Trails are also part of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. These trails provide access to the Cooper Memorial Library, the Minneola Athletic Complex, Minneola Trailhead Park, as well as parks in Clermont including Waterfront Park and the Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
Lake Louisa State Park
7305 U.S. Highway 27
Clermont, FL 34714
(352) 394-3969
The park features cabins and campsites and is a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, bird watching and hiking. The 25 miles of trails accommodate hikers and horseback riders.
Clermont Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is located along Lake Minneola, between East Avenue and Eighth Street. The park is home to almost weekly festivals, such as Pig on the Pond, and a host of triathlons and new water competitions, such as the Champions’ Dragon Boat Festival and Leader of the Lake Regatta. A fitness trail that is part of a 30-mile system, and will be part of Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Connector trail, runs through the park.
Waterfront Bikes and Boards offers rentals of paddleboards, kayaks and bicycles. The park also includes picnic areas, a swimming area, fishing piers and a playground.
Clermont Waterfront Park
100 3rd St
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 394-3500
Email: sramdass@clermontfl.org
Florida Scrub-Jay Trail
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail is dedicated to increase awareness of the need to restore habitat for scrub-jays, gopher tortoises, and native plant species. Please visit the website for a list of many activities and more information.
Florida Scrub-Jay Trail
11490 Montevista Road
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 429-5566
Email: info@scrubjaytrail.org
Victory Pointe
Victory Pointe is a passive park combined with a stormwater project that is critical to the success of the Clermont’s award-winning Master Plan. The 10-acre site combines recreational elements, such as trails and a special events space with an extensive stormwater facility that enhances drainage downtown and improves the quality of water entering Lake Minneola.
Wildlife Drive
The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a one-way 11-mile drive that begins at Lust Road off of Binion Road, about 2.7 miles north of Magnolia Park in Orange County. The exit is on Jones Road. The drive is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays between sunrise and sunset. The drive is closed other days due to ongoing restoration work. The entrance gate will be open during daylight hours and will close approximately one hour prior to sunset to allow visitors to complete the drive and exit the property prior to sunset.
For your safety, the speed limit is 10 mph and the maximum vehicle length is 25 feet. Vehicles pulling trailers are not allowed. Directional signs are located along the route and gates will be closed/locked for the public’s safety in areas where work is ongoing. Several “pull over” areas provide visitors a chance to stop along the drive. Stopping is limited to the pull over areas. A portion of the drive intersects with a multi-use trail (shown as the Lake Spur on the map inside the brochure below) and visitors are encouraged to carefully watch for hikers, bicycle riders and other users who will be sharing the road.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
2803 Lust Rd
Apopka, FL 32703
www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/wildlife-drive/
Find more info about Lake Apopka North Shore.