Florida

Mountain Bike Trail Guide

Florida doesn't exactly have mountains -- the highest point in Florida is where someone stands on a ladder. No, really, the highest point is 345 feet, in Walton County in the Panhandle (practically Alabama). So the term "mountain biking" doesn't really apply here. However, dedicated riders have created some fantastic trails in the state, including two trails that made the IMBA Epics list!

While several off-road biking trails developed by die-hard fans provide artificial vertical drops to those who are sea-level bound, most off-road biking trails have little change in elevation. Many of these trails are shared by horseback riders and hikers. And if you don't feel like walking through a no-vehicles-allowed natural area, a bike is the most practical way to get around.

• Florida Mountain Biking Guide Great site with tons of detailed descriptions of trails.
• Off Road Biking in Florida from GORP. Includes Rails-to-Trails and trails on public lands.
• Explore Multi-Use Trails: Descriptions of nearly 200 miles of opportunities to explore Florida.
• Florida State Parks > Bike Trails: Excellent on-road and off-road cycling adventures are found within our state park boundaries. Explore our Rail Trails for maximum on-road cycling freedom. Ride the Withlacoochee State Trail, Gainesville-Hawthorne, Nature Coast State Trail; nearly 200 miles of protected cycling highway through the Real Florida Outdoors.
• Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway: Mountain bike from Santos Trailhead for the ultimate off-road adventure along our 110-mile Cross Florida Greenway.
• SORBA Chattanooga's list of Florida Mountain Bike Trails
• Dirt Chronicles Personal site of a Florida mountain biker
• Florida Department of Transportation > Bicycle Touring Information: Bike trail information, maps, and other resources courtesy FDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Program.
• Great Outdoor Recreation Pages > Florida Biking Guide: GORP has a surplus of articles on the subject of Florida mountain biking, rail-trails, and more.
• Pinellas Trail: The Pinellas Trail is a unique greenway corridor and urban trail linking some of Pinellas County's most picturesque parks, scenic coastal areas and residential neighborhoods from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg.
• City of Orlando > Bikeways: Lake Eola Heights & Lake Lawsona Historic Districts, Lake Cherokee and Lake Copeland Historic Districts, Lake Cherokee and Lake Davis Loop, Lake Orlando Parkway Loop, Lake Fran Trail, Airport Connection. more >>
• Pensacola area:
  • Pensacola Off-Road Cyclists (P.O.R.C.) with Pensacola area trails.
• Tampa area:
  • Some Tampa area trails (from SWAMP)
  • More Tampa area trails (from RidgeRiders Mountain Bike Association)
• Fort Myers
  • Florida Mudcutters a club in southwest Florida, Fort Myers area
• Tallahassee
  • The Big Ring Tallahassee Bicycling Information. Not much info here.
• Clubs and Organizations
• Suwannee Bicycle Association This White Springs-based mountain bike club is right around the corner from one of Florida's best off-road destinations: Big Shoals.
• Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers: Tampa Bay area club maintains trails in the Withlacoochee State Forest. Site illustrates Croom, Morris Bridge, Boyette, and others.

 

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Northwestern Florida (the "Panhandle")

• Munson Hills in Apalachicola National Forest, 7.5 miles
• Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee, several loops
• Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee, several loops

Northern Florida

• Big Shoals Conservation Area in White Springs, several loops
• Kathryn A. Hanna Park in Jacksonville, several loops
• Santos Trailhead in Belleview, several loops
• Hardrock Ocala MTB Park in Ocala, 8 miles

Central Florida

• Tosohatchee State Reserve in Christmas, several loops
• Rock Springs Run State Reserve in Apopka, 12 miles
• Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area near St. Cloud, several loops
• Hal Scott Preserve near Orlando, several loops

Southern Florida

• Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, several loops
• Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield, 5.5 miles
• Markham Park in Ft. Lauderdale, several loops
• Oleta River State Park in North Miami, several loops

On trails, watch out for horseback riders and hikers, who may be sharing the trails with you.

 

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Below are listings of some of the local South Florida trails.

Markham Park (Novice/Intermediate/Advanced)
16001 W. State Rd. 84
Sunrise, FL 33326
(954) 389-2000

The following review is from Ryan of Deerfield Beach, who reviewed this trail on mtbr.com.

This has it all. NORBA races here because of it's very challenging terrain. This trail can range from 2-15 plus miles of riding.

This trail has fireroads, singletrack, XC, and some DH to make it sweet. This does have two 30ft. death-drops, but unfortanitly were closed because of huffy riders! But, I still enjoy doing it's 5 other rocketing 30ft. dirt hills!

There are many roots mixed in with these hills. There's berms, logs, roots, rocks, bolders, clay, sandtraps, etc. that you must constantly watch for.

Overall, this trail is for intermediate to advanced riders. If you don't pay attention and stay on top of your skills here, you will find yourself in serious trouble. There have been numerous broken bones here and a few riders have had to be air lifted out.

Hans Rey rode this trail and here's what he had to say about it: "Markham Park: Is definately one of the best mountain biking spots in Florida. The trails and infrastructure of the park, are incredible, and way beyond and above anything one would imagine when thinking of Mountain Biking in Fl. It's my kind of riding - short climbs, technical all the way, and very fun. The nice thing is, it's a trail that pros and beginners can share, which is not very common or easy to find in biking. Keep up the good work."

Quiet Waters Park (Novice/Intermediate)
401 S. Powerline Rd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
(954) 360-1315

Quiet Waters Park is a novice/intermediate trail that consists of a 5 mile loop. The novice trail cuts in and out of the more technical intermediate sections.

There are quite a few technical areas on this trail - even on the novice parts. There are several steep inclines with tight twisting descents. On the more technical sections there are several jumps, drop offs, teeter-totters, bridges and logs.

There is one hill that has been aptly named the Clay Monster. It is approximately 30 feet high at about a 50 to 55 degree grade, with the last 4 or 5 feet being nearly vertical. Very few are able to make it all the way up without dismounting. After a rain it is very slippery.

In the dry season there is a lot of sugar sand. Especially in the back section that runs parallel to the turnpike. The sand can be as much as 6 inches deep. The entire course has lots of roots everywhere. Be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Volunteers are always needed to help maintain the trails and make new ones. Just a couple of hours of your time can make a big difference. Trail maintenance is the second Sunday of every month. Meet at the trail head at 9:00 am. Be sure to bring bug spray and plenty of water.

The park is free to get into on weekdays, and $1.00 per person on weekends and holidays.

Oleta River State Recreational Area (Novice/Intermediate/Advanced)
3400 NE 163rd St.
N Miami, Fl 33160

Oleta has about ten miles of trails and plans to add quite a few more miles. These trails are somewhat technical, with many tight turns, roots and an exit trail that some dub "the mile of rocks".

This is a well maintained and well planned 10 mile loop. As you enter the trail you will start off with a couple of quick twisty banked climbs and decents, nicely banked turns with technical root systems. The ground is mostly hardpacked, lots of loose golf ball sized rocks make the trail interestingly menacing as you drop off the hill and speed to your 180 degree banked turn.

Front wheel slide out is a huge factor on this trail. If you want to go fast you have to be sharp and good with the brakes. Lots of 180's on this trail, a few will turn you straight into a 15 foot climb with little momentum to help you up.

Lots of climbing, descending, sharp turns, loose rocks, roots, speed, jumps, bumps, and shade. The trail can flood quickly in the rainy season and many parts will be under deep water.

Volunteers are always needed to help maintain the trails and make new ones. Just a couple of hours of your time can make a big difference. Oleta Trail Work Days are the 4th sunday of every month at 9:30 am at the rangers workshop.

There is an admission fee of $4.00 on Sunday.

 

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Florida

Mountain Biking in Florida? Is it possible? I was shocked when I saw the pictures. There may not be mountians, but the trails in Alafia State Park looked great.

All of this information, including images was gleaned from the swampclub website or its member websites. Click on the map for a larger image.

Directions to Alafia - How to Get There

From Ocala or Tampa on I-75

Traveling south from Ocala or Tampa on I-75, exit Apollo Beach #47, go east approximately 1 mile to 301 (first traffic signal). Turn south onto 301 for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn east onto CR-672 and continue until it dead ends (11 miles). Turn north onto SR-39, temporary park entrance is 2 miles on the right (east).

From Orlando on I-4

Traveling from Orlando on I-4, take Plant City exit SR-39 south. Cross SR-60 and Lithia-Pinecrest Road, continue approximately 2 miles, our entry point is on the left.

From north from Sarasota on I-75

Traveling north from Sarasota on I-75, exit Sun City Center #48, go east on CR-674 to SR-39 (11 miles). Turn north onto SR-39, park entrance is 2 miles north of CR-672, on the right (east).

Enter gate next to the playground and picnic tables. Pay $2/car entry fee. Follow signs to trailhead.

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