The first 4 miles were through more of a marsh area, best seen from bike or horseback. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is a trail running along Lake Apopka North Shore, connecting Magnolia Park and the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead. A portion of the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Lake Apopka Loop Trail will be temporarily closed from Tuesday, February 18th, through Thursday, February 20th. Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Enjoy. Drove over an hour to do trail - and it’s closed! Dora. Magnolia Park (25) 2.5 mi. Get to know the area. Make sure you plan to spend the entire day as lots to see and a long drive on the lake, but well worth it. I have ridden the entire trail, and nowhere was I forced to stop. Following the lake’s edge through the property, the Loop Trail covers more than 20 miles and provides hiking and biking opportunities. After we let some air out of our tires, it was a little better but had to closely watch the road for bumps and holes. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Apopka, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail began with 6.3-miles of recreation trail allowing visitors to traverse a unique landscape of levees, canals and wetlands. This is a fun trail but the review is incomplete as you can turn left just before Clay Island and continue on to the Green Mountain Trail-head (http://greenmountainbyway.org/things-to-do/natural-sites/). Ran into several people riding bikes and the winter bird count was going on. There is a bathroom and water fountain at the trailhead but only porta potties in a couple of other places. 1st time for me and I loved it--surfaces are comfortable, scenery just beautiful with water on both sides and you feel really removed from things. Next trip in July we started at the north trailhead and went towards the pumphouse. This is a wonderful trail for nature lovers; a popular birding destination; with abundant alligators and occasional raccoons, otters, and turtles. Currently it is just a point to point trail, but is expected to circumnavigate Lake Apopka in the future. Love that there are long stretches to allow you to gain speed or cruise and take in scenery. Overall, not our favorit etrail in Central Florida so far. Make sure you have a camera! As others have stated, the trail is not smooth - it's compressed sand and gravel, so you can't hurry. Title: Lake Apopka North Shore trail map Author: St. Johns River Water Management District If you are thinking of taking Fido for a walk, I would keep him on a short leash. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. There is an additional 2.6-mile trail (the red trail) for biking, hiking and horseback riding. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. So take your time, stop along the trail and enjoy what's left of Florida's wilderness. Not far after the gator, at about 4 miles the trail takes a couple of turns and then arrives at the edge of the lake. The Magnolia Park trailhead is located in Orange County's Magnolia Park at 2929 S. Binion Road, Apopka. The trail is virtually flat except for a slight rise and descent at the bridge over the Apopka-Beauclair Canal. Alternatively, runners can choose start on the Green Mountain side. What a great trail to enjoy nature. An out-and-back trek to the flow-way observation tower along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail provided excellent birding. I was wriding my cycle cross bike, usually good for compacted gravel and paved trail. We stopped at La Prada Mexicana grocery and deli 5 miles down from the trailhead and got great homemade tamales to take on the trail. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. Saw a lot of gators and birds. Recommended that you have a bike with suspension for your own comfort. Just make sure you bring plenty of water/snacks for yourself and stay away from the water! From a bike you can see out into different areas of the marsh. Lake Apopka Loop Trail (39) 2.5 mi. I will most definitely be back. One was about 15 feet, and we almost turned around. Needless to say, we sat atop the table back to bak to ensure a 360 view. It is a slow leisurely drive The temporary parking area is on city of Apopka property to the immediate right of the Wildlife Drive entrance at 2850 Lust Road, Apopka. Will do this ride again in the cooler months. The Loop Trail is expected to circumnavigate Lake Apopka in the future, but is currently an out-and … If you tune to a. certain frequency on your radio, they tell you about what's around you in that area. Playgrounds. I had such a nice ride I didn't I had gone over five miles. The trail is virtually entirely flat, except for the approaches to this bridge over the Apopka-Beauclair Canal. It is a slow leisurely drive. Lake Apopka Loop Trail The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is nearly 15-miles. Vehicles likely will share portions of the road with hikers and bicycle riders exploring the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. They just recently reopened after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lot's of birds and alligators IN-THE-WILD! Lots of gators and birds. However, what you will see are LOTS of alligators. I road to Magnolia park from the west Orange trail, only a couple miles on some side walks and side streets. Lake Apopka was originally a beautiful clear fishing lake noted for its world famous bass population. Cons First: It is not a loop!! It is a real surprise in a land of super amusement parks. Planned as a trail that will circumnavigate Lake Apopka one day, the loop trail currently is an out-and-back trail on the northern half of the lake. 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Minimum of 4 people booked for tour to commence. Playgrounds. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. On February 20, 2014, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, which goes through the NSEA, was opened to the public. We decided to turn around at pump house, that was enough for us seeing as though we are beginners. rode around him and never looked back. Also trail markers every 1/2 mile for emergency or tracking your distance. Very nice but bumpy in places. It forms the southern boundary of the Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area. OR start on the Green Mountain side. With the completion of the newest extension in 2016, the loop trail encompasses 18 miles of pristine, natural terrain. Swim Picnic at Wekiwa’s Natural Springs! This a beautiful trail, it is very peaceful and the wildlife is breath taking. But it does provide an astounding arc of 17.2 miles each way along the lake’s north shore, or a 34.4-mile round-trip. The paths are from decently smooth to very rough. Plenty of wild life and fresh air!!! The pumphouse has porta potty and a small pond filled with big gators. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. We love to take out of town visitors there to see the gators, birds and various plants. Take plenty of water and whatever else you need. It is always different and you feel like you have left civilization behind. The lakeside part of the park is also a trailhead for the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Nice ride with lots of birds and gators. If I knew how bad the road was I would have been better prepared. (Astatula). Biking Trails. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. Nature & Wildlife Areas, Parks, Playgrounds. Easy to ride and it has beautiful scenery. Lake Apopka Loop Trail Hike at Green Mountain Scenic Overlook. Make a left to walk straight out to the lake. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. D. Dominguez. The lakeside part of the park is also a trailhead for the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. It ends without any sort of signage, so if you simply continue where the trail leads, you will end up on top of a hill. The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail … The Loop Trail follows the lake’s edge through the property, covering more than 20 miles and providing hiking and biking opportunities. The trail (when completed in 2015) will connect to the rest of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail and allow users to trail the ~18 miles across the North Shore to Magnolia Park in Orange County. It can be a little rough, with many potholes, but it is not a problem if you watch where you are going. I was surprised how isolated the trail was! See all. The trail was so uncomfortable that we didn't want to go back so we were forced to take an alternate through. Lake Apopka Trail LoopLake Apopka Trail Loop Design GuidelinesDesign Guidelines November 2002November 2002. The trail was proposed by the Friends of Lake Apopka to boost appreciation for the suffering lake in Orange and Lake Counties. For walkers, it's fine, but it would be useless for skateboarders and in-line skaters. Turn right from the T junction and walk south on Ranch Rd to the Lake Apopka Loop Trail junction. It is managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. The gate to the wildlife drive opens at … They are all along the shoreline as well as in the water. Think of this more as a nature trail than a bike trail and you will get the idea. got held up by a 12 foot gator who was enjoying the sun just off the trail. This was found purely by accident we passed the signs daily and after a google search we decided to go and visit and we was glad we did You need a car to get there and need to ensure you take drinks and sun cream but once there natures on your doorstep we saw animals that we, would never of seen normally unless you went to a zoo or a sanctuary We spent half a day here it’s really quiet you can get out of your vehicle to take photos occasionally another car would pass or stop near you and then you just continue on your way the roads one way only and you can’t get lost This is for everyone but you do need to ensure you don’t have any problems walking it’s a dirt track with loose chipping and would be a great place to take children of any age and is a good thing to do if you have the time and don't want to shop or go to a park and there isn’t a gift shop at the end lol. Only activity was some water district work in a couple of sections but we passed right through. See all. The only restrooms are at Magnolia Park and a port-a-john at the old pump house at mile marker 4. The drive around the Lake Apopka Loop Trail is seeing Florida in its natural state. Not little, just popped out of their shell - "aren't they cute" alligators, but BIG "I haven't eaten in a while and you look like my dinner" alligators. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a. I rode all the way from Green Mountain Trailhead to the pump house was about 27 miles round trip. more, Recommended experiences in and around Apopka. The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction. The Loop Trail is expected to circumnavigate Lake Apopka in the future, but is currently an out-and-back trail traversing the northern half of the lake. Get to know the area. It's "Wild Florida" at it's best - birds everywhere and even the occasional turtle. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. that lowers the blood pressure and is so relaxing. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Head out of town away from the traffic and crowds of the Orlando tourist zone to swim in the crystal clear waters of nearby Wekiwa Springs, where the water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round!

This state park is where many local Orlandoans go to enjoy fresh water flowing from the underground Florida aquifer and is not generally well known to most tourists. There is nature galore with many species of birds and alligators everywhere. A friend and I made the 21-mile round trip from the Clay Island trailhead to the old pump house and back on Monday, March 16th. Either starting point is equally scenic. I would strongly recommend a bike with shocks. Trail is open during this Covid-19 crisis and barely anyone on it yesterday. 2. Very little breeze, lots of hungry bugs and humid in the marsh area. I prefer to ride my old beach cruiser on this trail, but I have seen many people with hybrids and road bikes. You will likely see large 'gators from a very close distance. The North Shore property has a marked white trail suitable for hiking, biking and horseback riding (six-mile loop) on Clay Island, with four observation towers, including one overlooking the west shoreline of Lake Apopka. On February 20, 2014, Phase 2 of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail opened, from Magnolia Park to the Lake County line. The North Shore levee system not only serves as a separator between Lake Apopka and the North Shore but is also part of the District’s recreational Loop Trail. Swim Picnic at Wekiwa’s Natural Springs! The drive around the Lake Apopka Loop Trail is seeing Florida in its natural state. Tons of birds also saw turtles, family of raccoons, a coyote who was not to concerned about us, and several very large gators on the trail. And what will you see on your drive? You can drive yourself or use your bicycle if you're into that. The wide path is not paved but something like compressed crushed stone. 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