Bicycle
Trails
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Withlacoochee State
Forest
Croom-Off-Road Bike Trail
The Withlacoochee Forest - Croom Off-Road Bike Trail was the result of a cooperative effort between the Florida Division of Forestry and the SWAMP Mountain Bike Club. It is the longest continuous cycling trail in Florida. This network of tracks forms two loops of 12 and 35 miles.
The 35 mile loop (marked by white signs with
the international
bicycle symbol in blue). This is the most technical
section on any of the trails. There are several steep climbs and drop-offs that
would be difficult for someone new to the sport.
Bail outs: 8,
12 and 25 mile markers
Level of Difficulty: Experienced
Notes: "Requires more concentration"
The 12 mile loop (marked with yellow signs)
starts at the Tucker Hill fire tower, then crosses rolling hills dotted with oak
hammocks.
Bail outs: 3, 6 mile marker
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate
Notes: "Best loop for newer riders"
There are three connector trails marked by red signs that allow combinations of the 35 mile and 12 mile loops loops.
Withlacoochee State Forest is located in west central Florida and extends through the counties of Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Pasco. The Florida Division of Forestry Withlacoochee State Forest Recreation/Visitors Ctr. is located at 15003 Broad Street Brooksville, Fl (phone 352/754-6896)
Anderson Snow Park
( Suncoast Trailhead )
352-796-4031
Jerome
Brown Community Center
352-544-5498
Lake Townsen
352-796-4031
Suncoast Trail
800-749-7453
The Suncoast Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide Greenways and Trails System. Opened in 2001, this non-motorized paved trail was developed as part of the Suncoast Parkway. Paralleling the parkway, the trail begins in northern Hillsborough County and proceeds north through Pasco and Hernando counties, traversing suburban, agricultural and natural areas. Throughout the trail, rest/interpretive areas illustrate historical significance, emphasize transitions between ecological communities and identify native species. Among the trail’s highlights is the segment adjacent to the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. This section crosses various rivers and creeks, including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee, and provides views of beautiful natural communities. The Suncoast Trail will eventually serve as a key regional connector, linking to other projects such as the Good Neighbor Trail, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Pinellas Trail.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/westcentral/trails/suncoast.htm
Withlacoochee
State Trail
352-726-0313
The Withlacoochee State Trail currently consists of a 46-mile paved stretch of railroad right-of-way that has been converted to a recreation area suitable for hiking, biking, and horse riding enthusiasts.
The Withlacoochee State Trail begins at S.R. 50, a mile east of I-75 and runs 6 miles south to Trilby and 40 miles north, past the Silver Lake Campground, through the Withlacoochee State Forest, close to the Withlacoochee River, then continues north through Floral City, Inverness, Citrus Springs, and ends at Gulf Junction just south of Dunnellon. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
Parking for the Withlacoochee State Trail is located off C.R. 575/ Trilby Trailhead, S.R. 50 Trailhead, Silver Lake Campground, Townsen Lake Regional Park off C.R. 476, Desoto Trail Kiosk off U.S. 41, Wallace Brooks Park in Inverness, South Citrus Springs Trailhead and North Citrus Springs Trailhead.
Contact Information
Withlacoochee State Trail
315 North Apopka Avenue
Inverness, Florida 34450-4201
Phone: 352-726-2251
Tallahassee Headquarters: 850-245-2052
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/state/with/default.htm
Weekiwachee Preserve
The Weekiwachee Preserve is 9,000 acres of conservation lands that Southwest Florida Water Management
acquired as part of a regional system of conservation lands that extends up to Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
The Preserve offers 5.5 miles of bicycling on the interpretive trail and the paved road.
Bikers: be prepared for hard packed sand/gravel trails.
Weekiwachee Preserve is located west of US-19 near the communities of Weeki Wachee and Spring Hill. Visitors may enter the Preserve on foot or bicycle any day from the Shoal Line and Osowaw Boulevard access
points. Visitors may drive into the Preserve the second Saturday of each month through the Osowaw Boulevard entrance and park at the end of the paved road.
Florida state law requires children under 16 years of age to wear a helmet.
Always yield the trail to wildlife and to visitors on foot.
Information:
- Department of Forestry- Recreational Listings
- SWAMP Club- SouthWest Association of Mountainbike Pedalers
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2005 Existing Bicycle Facilities 2005 Future Bicycle Facilities
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