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Latest update: May. 2018

South Lake Trail... Scenic Central Florida Biking

The 13-mile South Lake Trail, centered in Clermont, FL, is a particularly scenic ride, with views along Lake Minneola and other lakes and sweeping vistas on the sand ridges. The trail connects with the West Orange Trail to create 36 miles of continuous Central Florida bike riding in Lake and Orange Counties. The trail also is part of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail with plans to extend it west with a link to the Van Fleet Trail. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Location: Lake County (Clermont)
End Points: Groveland (Silver Eagle Rd.) to Clermont Waterfront Park to Killarney Station (West Orange Trail)
Mileage: 13 miles
Surface: Asphalt, 14'
Trailheads/Parking: Lake Hiawatha Preserve Trailhead, West Lake Minneola Trailhead, Clermont Waterfront Park, Minneola Park Trailhead, Killlarney Station (West Orange Trail) (See map)
Nearby Points of Interest: Florida Citrus Tower, Sugarloaf Mountain, Walt Disney World, Bok Tower Gardens

Bike Shops / Rentals:

Clermont Waterfront Bikes and Boards (Clermont, rentals)

Clermont Bicycles (Clermont., sales/rentals)

The Cycling Hub (Clermont. sales/rentals)

Epic Cycles (Clermont, sales)

Lilly's on the Lake (Clermont, rentals)

COMMENTS AND PHOTOS... South Lake Trail

Road bikers and triathletes seem to enjoy the hills this trail offers. A nearby on-road trip is to tackle Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in Central Florida at 312 feet above sea level (this is a popular motorcycle route, be careful). The Minneola Scenic Trail Section along the waterfront between Clermont and Minneola is particularly enjoyable.

Biking the South Lake Trail... from west to east

Silver Eagle Road to Lake Hiawatha Preserve Trailhead

In early 2015 a 3.5 mile trail extension was opened, running between Clermont and Groveland as part of construction closing gaps on the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail. The extension along CR561 and 565A includes two bridges and the new Lake Hiawatha Preserve Trailhead (parking, restrooms, picnic, pier).

Lake Hiawatha Preserve Trailhead to Clermont Waterfront Park

The trail continues to West Lake Minneola Trailhead (parking, restrooms, playground), and into Clermont to Clermont Waterfront Park.

Clermont Waterfront Park

The central portion (called the Minneola Scenic Trail Section) runs through Clermont along Lake Minneola through popular Clermont Waterfront Park (restrooms, picnicking, swimming area, and fishing piers).

Clermont Waterfront Park to Minneola

A pleasant shaded ride, this is one of the few trails with streetlights. The underpass at US 27 is a positive.

Minneola Trailhead

Minneola Trailhead has parking, restrooms, ball fields, basketball court, playing fields, playground, picnic areas, and a dog park.

Minneola Trailhead to N. Hancock Rd.

Here the trail runs along Old Hwy. 50 on the central Florida sand ridge, sporting the highest elevations of any rail-trail in the state. Featuring open vistas and some challenging hills on the sand ridges, this is a popular location for triathletes in training. The trail joins the Hancock Trail (6.5 miles, leading to the National Training Center at South Lake Hospital) briefly before crossing N. Hancock Rd.

N. Hancock Rd. to CR455

The trail flattens out. Paralleling Old Hwy. 50 W, this is a pleasant section of trail.

CR455 to Killarney Station

The 1.5 mile section west of Killarney Station is shaded with some nice hills and turns. Connects to the West Orange Trail.

Also visit us:
Biking on the Hancock Trail
Biking on the West Orange Trail

Related Links:

Lake County - Paved Recreational Trails
Lake County - South Lake Trails System (.pdf)