subject: Van Fleet Trail - Rural Florida Rail-trail [print this page] Located between Tampa and Orlando, the Van Fleet Trail is Florida's most rural bicycle trail. Officially titled the "General James A. Van Fleet State Trail," this is a 29.2 mile long, paved rail-trail running through the Green Swamp. Other than a lone curve 5 miles north of the Polk City trailhead, the trail is straight and flat. Trail hours are from 8:00 a.m. until dark.
For 19 miles, or about two-thirds of its length, the Van Fleet trails forms the eastern boundary, or runs just inside of the southern-most tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. This portion of the trail crosses no paved roads and is a great area for spotting wildlife. Gopher tortoises are a common sight. The rider might also see deer, turkey, snakes, and an occasional bobcat.
There are three distinct sections of the Van Fleet Trail, each bounded by a trailhead at opposite ends.
1. The southern-most 10 mile section begins at the Polk City trailhead (grass parking, restrooms, water fountain, picnic tables) and ends at the Green Pond Road trailhead (paved parking, restrooms, water fountain, picnic shelter). The first 5 miles is mostly surrounded by pasture and farmland, with very little shade except for a few short strands of oak and pine. Just past the only curve, the ride becomes much shadier, with long strands of oak and pine trees, along with beautiful patches of cypress swamp. About a mile past the tiny hamlet of Poyner, which is the only community along the trail, is the Green Pond Road trailhead.
2. The center 10 mile section runs between the Green Pond Road trailhead and the Bay Lake Road trailhead (grass parking, no other facilities). Just north of Green Pond, the trail enters the Withlacoochee State Forest. About two miles from Green Pond, the trail crosses three bridges spanning small creeks that merge downstream to form the Withlacoochee River. This area is dominated by cypress swamp, very shady and noticeably cooler. An occasional alligator can be spotted by the bridges or in canals paralleling the trail.
From about mile 15 to mile 20 at Bay Lake Road, there is gradually less and less shade, as the trail enters an area that was once mostly cow pasture. Now it is part of the State Forest and is gradually returning to its natural state. Deer are frequently spotted here, especially near sunset.
3. The northern 9.2 mile section runs from Bay Lake Road to Mabel (grass parking, restrooms, water fountain, picnic shelter). Located on U.S. Rte 50, this small community was once a town that housed railroad workers and their families. This portion of the trail is almost entirely tree-lined, within or adjacent to of the State Forest.
The Van Fleet Trail is ideal for both nature-loving recreational cyclers and road bikers seeking a safe, vehicle-free stretch on which to train. Bring plenty water and snacks. Sunscreen and bug repellent are good ideas as well. Other than in Polk City, there are no stores within miles and miles of this trail.
