The northern portion of the Cross Seminole Trail was originally envisioned as a protected greenway to guide the Florida Trail from the Econlockhatchee River to the Wekiva River.
Over time, that idea expanded to a bike corridor. The first paved segment opened in 2002. To this day, it remains in three separate pieces.
The most well-known portion starts in downtown Oviedo and runs north through Winter Springs to Layer Elementary School, where the pavement ends.
The next segment traverses Spring Hammock Preserve, ending not far past Big Tree Park at Ronald Reagan Blvd.
At the entrance to Big Tree ParkThe final segment is a side path along Greenwood Blvd leading to The Crossings, where the trail turns into a bike path that continues through Lake Mary
It parallels Rinehart Rd until it crosses it to reach to the bridge over Interstate 4.
On the Wiley Dykes Sr. BridgeWhen that bridge was dedicated, it was named in honor of Wiley Dykes, Sr., trail builder and founder of the local Florida Trail Association chapter.
Wiley played a major role in convincing both the county commission and landowners to sign onto creating a Cross Seminole Trail.
Extended since our last ride on it to encompass the Rinehart Trail through Sanford, the Cross Seminole Trail now ends at the St. Johns River county line with Volusia County.
This new end point ensures it plays a role in the state-crossing Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
Side paths through Sanford make the connectionResources
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Overview
Location: Oviedo to Volusia County line in Sanford
Length: 21 miles linear
Land Manager: Seminole County
Phone: 407-665-2001
Open dawn to dusk. Leashed pets welcome. Please use designated parking areas for access. Note when gates are locked at trailheads and return before they are.
This is an urban bike path. Be alert to your surroundings for your personal safety. Do not leave your gear unattended or your bike unlocked when out of sight of it.
Public restrooms adjoin the trail at Black Hammock Trailhead, Big Tree Park, Greenwood Lakes Park, and Trailhead Park.
Water fountains and benches occur more frequently, and the larger parks – Central Winds and Soldiers Creek – have restrooms within a five minute walk.
About the Trail
History
The north portion of the Cross Seminole Trail was envisioned as both a protected greenway for the Florida Trail and a rails-to-trails project.
Over time, that vision broadened to connect urbanizing communities together with a network of paved bicycle paths.
If you see backpackers along the trail, they are following the Florida TrailOur first exploration along the corridor was soon after its designation in 1999. Rural land was still common around Lake Jesup and Lake Mary.
It isn’t any more. Now this green corridor is more meaningful then ever, as its surroundings changed from forests and pastures to dense urban development.
As one of the Orlando-region bike paths that we’ve spent the most time on, we’ve had the perspective of watching its connecting trail network grow.
Gaps remain, bridged by signage in spots like along Longwood-Lake Mary Blvd.
While these are easy for hikers to traverse, they pose a minor challenge for cyclists, particularly those using road bikes.
Most casual cyclists just ride out and back on the established bike path segmentsFlorida Trail
This segment of the Cross Seminole Trail is also the route of the Florida Trail through suburban Seminole County to reach the Seminole Wekiva Trail.
The hiking route is overlaid on the bike path for 16.7 miles. It uses the connector across Interstate 4 to reach the Seminole Wekiva Trail northbound.
Note the orange blaze on the bridge over I-4There is one campsite along this route. To find it, please refer to our Florida Trail guidebook or app. For hiker safety, we won’t publicize its location on this website.
Occasional orange blazes lead the way, but you are more likely to only see FNST symbols on the mileposts.
Look for FNST symbols on the milepostsTrail Details
The northern segment of the Cross Seminole Trail starts along Railroad Street in downtown Oviedo – where there are several parking spaces – and crosses SR 434.
It continues behind the Oviedo Baptist Church and the popular Townhouse Restaurant before slicing down a rail corridor through subdivisions in Oviedo.
Green corridor in OviedoRoad crossings at Lake Jesup Blvd and Pine Rd have sporadic traffic. Although it is within sight of houses, the trail is nicely shaded and green.
Near the underpass beneath SR 417, the trail has a small park with benches and interpretive signage showcasing the “Trails of the World.”
Heading through residential Oviedo towards the SR 417 underpassThe next stop is the Black Hammock triangle at 1.6 miles. A median island with benches lies between approaches to Black Hammock Trailhead from both directions.
The trailhead itself is 0.4 mile down a side trail and has restrooms and potable water, plus an interpretive exhibit about the former railroad route that this trail follows.
“> Gazebo at the Black Hammock turnoffThe green corridor continues through well-established neighborhoods with several road crossings.
At 2.7 miles, the Howell Branch bridge replaces a former railroad trestle. A footpath leads down the bluff to the creek from the north side of the bridge.
Bridge across Howell BranchAfter another tunnel of trees in a neighborhood, things open up. This isn’t a positive change for the trail corridor.
It’s part of the relentless crush of urbanization in Winter Springs. Where forests once flanked the trail, they’ve been mowed down for multi-story residential units.
Although the trail was originally built in a green tunnel, very little tree cover remains once you are north of Howell BranchThe trail makes a sharp right to cross SR 434 on a high bridge. Cyclists use the sides, hikers use the middle.
A sharp left follows, sending the trail through another brand new cluster of urbanization all the way up to the road crossing at Tuscawilla Rd.
Riding down the SR 434 bridge from a recumbent bike perspectiveParalleling Winter Springs High School, the trail skirts more dense residential units before entering Central Winds Park.
Through most of the park, the trail is fenced on both sides so you can’t easily get to anything, including restrooms. Egress is at road access points.
Trail through Central Winds ParkThe first is the area that is best for trailhead parking, at 5.4 miles. After that the trail turns right and parallels SR 434, passing a second park road at the dog park.
It’s worth getting off the trail here to ride to Lake Jesup down this road. A boardwalk leads out to a panorama across the lake, which is known for its alligators.
Take this road next to the dog park to visit Lake JesupThe trail continues to parallel SR 434 as a side path past subdivisions and commercial establishments. Restaurants are on the opposite side of the highway.
Crossing Consolidated Serv, the access road to the school bus depot for Seminole County, the trail comes to a long green tunnel on a bridge that replaced the Gee Creek trestle.
Bridge over Gee CreekA sharp right afterwards sends the trail paralleling SR 419. After 6.9 miles, the paved bike path abruptly stops at the entrance to Layer Elementary School.
Stay between the wall and the highway to resume travel on a connector that snakes around an industrial park, crossing a railroad line at an at-grade crossing with crossing gates.
The connector reaches a circle under the power transmission lines inside Spring Hammock Preserve. Here, the trail continues straight as an arrow as a paved path under the power lines.
Crossing Soldiers Creek, you intersect with the many loop trails of Spring Hammock Preserve. Tall tulip poplars at the southern extent of their range flank the corridor.
At the kiosk with a trail map, the trail makes a left and crosses the park road. It parallels the park road to exit out to SR 419.
Tulip poplars are the tall trees flanking this trail segmentBe mindful of the railroad gate – also a functional railroad crossing like the one at the industrial park – and the heavy traffic on SR 419, which does not often yield to cyclists or hikers.
Once across SR 419, you pass the trailhead at Soldiers Creek Park. Restrooms are over at the ballfields on the other end of the park.
Entering Soldiers Creek ParkThe Cross Seminole Trail returns to a wooded corridor, winding its way through this protected forest.
It crosses Soldiers Creek again. Here, the creek is flanked by a mountain bike trail. A portion of that trail was the Florida Trail when we first hiked it.
Corridor through Soldiers Creek ParkCurving past a bench under the trees, the trail ascends a long ramp to cross a fancy bridge over US 17/92.
Once off the ramp on the other side, you pass a small pulloff that people use for trail access along General Hutchinson Pkwy.
Bridge over US 17-92 in LongwoodThe trail continues underneath the shady canopy of Spring Hammock Preserve, which is dense with floodplain forest.
The trail reaches the entrance to Big Tree Park at 10.3 miles. This is a trailhead open during daylight hours.
Entrance to Big Tree ParkIt is also a worthwhile side trip for both the easy-to-access restroom and the boardwalk to Lady Liberty, an ancient cypress tree.
Not far past Big Tree Park, the bike path meets SR 427 (Ronald Reagan Blvd). It’s necessary to turn towards the traffic light and cross at the crosswalk.
Looking back at the SR 427 intersection after crossing itThe trail route now follows Longwood-Lake Mary Rd past the convenience store, but it is no longer a bike path. It’s a sidewalk.
This continues past residences up to Green Way Blvd in front of Lake Mary High School. Cross the road and continue west on its side path.
Past the high school the trail enters Greenwood Lakes ParkContinue through Greenwood Lakes Park – another trailhead and restroom stop – and around the public library before the trail returns to the side of the road.
After Lake Park Drive, look for where the trail makes a sharp right into The Crossings at 12.5 miles.
Sharp turn into The CrossingsThis is another utility easement repurposed as a greenway through suburbia. The trail goes through a tunnel to go under Greenwood Blvd.
After a stretch along a condo community in a pine forest, it pops out to Greenwood Blvd in a shopping district and crosses the road at a crosswalk.
Tunnel under Greenwood BlvdContinue up the bike path to the big bridge over Lake Mary Blvd, one of the busier highways in the region.
On the north side of the bridge is the final trailhead at Trailhead Park, with restrooms and a small cafe.
View of Lake Mary Blvd from the bridgeThe trail becomes a side path along Rinehart Blvd under the power lines.
It is entirely in the sun for this stretch. Benches and water fountains offer a little relief.
Seminole Wekiva Connector
Immediately south of a giant postal sorting facility, a connector trail crosses Rinehart Rd at 15.6 miles. It leads 0.7 mile west to the Seminole Wekiva Trail.
This is where both the Florida Trail (northbound) and the Florida Coast to Coast Trail (westbound) leave the Cross Seminole Trail.
Cross here to connect to the Seminole Wekiva Trail west of Interstate 4It passes picnic tables with a water spigot before squeezing down a utility corridor to approach the big bridge over Interstate 4.
Sharp turns make it tricky to keep speed as you climb to where the bridge crosses Florida’s busiest interstate highway.
Approach to the Interstate 4 bridgeMore sharp turns bring you down the opposite side into a large office park complex in the technology corridor of Lake Mary.
The connector ends here at the T intersection with the Seminole Wekiva Trail. There are no trailheads near this junction.
Seminole Wekiva Trail junctionRinehart Trail
When we lived in Sanford, this bike path from Rinehart Rd to the St. Johns River was being developed.
As it was being worked on, it was signposted as the Rinehart Trail. Only on a recent visit back to Sanford did we notice the signage had changed.
It has now been added to the Cross Seminole Trail and you’ll see those markers along these remaining 5.2 miles through Sanford.
The trail continues to parallel the east side of Rinehart Rd, crossing SR 46A, entering a business district that extends up to SR 417. The toll road ramps are at 17.4 miles.
Looking back at Oregon Ave. The southbound Rinehart Trail had a gap there in 2015Immediately north of SR 417 is a busy shopping district surrounding the Sanford Mall, with Walmart, Target, and other high-traffic stores.
This is a dangerous piece of trail for a cyclist. Unlike the rest of the ride to this point, once you are north of SR 46A, there is no pretense of a protected corridor.
Along Rinehart, you pass many restaurants and stores with busy driveways. Drivers don’t expect passing bikes.Driveways from businesses cross the trail frequently and there are many traffic lights you must stop for and cross. Vehicle traffic is always heavy in this area.
Rinehart Rd ends at SR 46. At 18.4 miles, the trail crosses SR 46 at that light and turns east as a side path along it up to Monroe Rd, where it turns left in front of Aldi’s to continue north.
Looking back towards Interstate 4 from the Monroe Rd turnThe trail remains on the west side of Monroe Rd, where there are business driveways and road crossings to contend with, but less traffic to them.
In front of a convenience store at Orange Blvd, the trail crosses Monroe Rd at the traffic light adjoining the railroad tracks. This is an active rail line.
Looking back at the road and railroad crossingsContinue on the side path on the west side of Monroe Rd up to the next traffic light, at US 17/92. Cross that highway at this traffic light.
Meet a T intersection with a bike path coming in from Sanford, which parallels Lakeshore Drive to reach downtown. Turn left.
Looking across US 17/92 after crossing itCross the Interstate 4 ramp. The bike path goes under the interstate as a side path adjoining US 17/92.
Soon after, there is a park on the right, Lake Monroe Wayside. It is the northernmost parking area along the Cross Seminole Trail.
Entrance to Lake Monroe Wayside Park when the bike path ended hereAt 20.6 miles, it can effectively be considered a terminus. However, the bike path continues north on a dedicated portion of the St. Johns River bridge with two-way bike traffic.
It reaches the Volusia County line and the Spring to Spring Trail at 21 miles.
Picnic area at Lake Monroe Wayside ParkTrailheads
Oviedo Terminus, Railroad Street, Oviedo
Black Hammock Trailhead, 1571 E SR 434, Winter Springs
Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Dr, Winter Springs
Spring Hammock Preserve, 2985 Osprey Trl, Longwood
Soldiers Creek Park, 2400 SR 419, Longwood
Big Tree Park, 761 General Hutchinson Pkwy, Longwood
Greenwood Lakes Park, 660 Greenway Blvd, Lake Mary
Trailhead Park, 3990 Lake Mary Blvd, Lake Mary
Lake Monroe Wayside Park, 4150 US 17/92, Sanford
Trailhead at Soldiers Creek ParkMileage
0.0, SR 434 terminus Oviedo
0.2, Franklin Street side path junction
0.4, Lake Jesup Ave crossing
0.9, Pine Rd crossing
1.4, SR 417 underpass
1.7, Black Hammock Trailhead junction
2.1, Vistawilla Dr crossing
2.7, Howell Branch bridge
3.0, Tuscarora Dr crossing
3.8, SR 434 bridge
4.6, Tuskawilla Rd crossing
5.4, Central Winds Park trailhead
6.6, Gee Creek bridge
6.9, Layer Elementary
7.5, Spring Hammock Preserve
8.8, CR 419 crossing / Soldiers Creek Park trailhead
9.6, US 17/92 bridge
10.3, Big Tree Park trailhead
10.6, CR 427 crossing
11.7, Greenway Blvd crossing
11.9, Greenwood Lakes Park
12.5,The Crossings
13.7,Greenwood Blvd crossing
14.1,Lake Mary Blvd Bridge / Trailhead Park
15.7,Connector to Interstate 4 bridge & Seminole Wekiva Trail
16.1, SR 46A (H.E. Thomas Jr Pkwy)
17.4, SR 417 underpass
18.4, SR 46
18.9, Lake Monroe Rd
20.0, Orange Blvd
20.3, US 17/92
20.6, Lake Monroe Wayside
21.0, Volusia County line
Connections
Spring to Spring Trail
The northern end of the Cross Seminole Trail merges seamlessly into the Spring to Spring Trail in Volusia County.These two routes form part of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail as it crosses through Central Florida.
Spring to Spring Trail South Linking Green Springs to Gemini Springs to Lake Monroe, the southern portion of the Spring to Spring Trail is also an important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.Cross Seminole Trail West
While this separate segment of the Cross Seminole Trail also has a terminus in Oviedo, the trails do not directly connect.
The western piece of the Cross Seminole Trail leads to the Cady Way Trail in Orange County, which in turn leads into the city of Orlando.
Cross Seminole Trail West Connecting to the Cady Way Trail, the western leg of the Cross Seminole Trail enables cyclists to ride from Oviedo into Orlando.Seminole Wekiva Trail
Reached via the connector over Interstate 4, the Seminole Wekiva Trail runs north-south. Northbound, the Florida National Scenic Trail follows its route for 4 miles.
Just past the Markham Woods trailhead, the Seminole Wekiva Trail turns to a grassy corridor and ends at the Wekiva River half a mile west of Longwood Markham Rd.
Southbound, the trail used to end 9.7 miles south at the San Sebastian Trailhead in Altamonte Springs along SR 436.
Now part of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, this segment of the Seminole Wekiva Trail has been extended another 3.5 miles through Maitland, ending at US 441.
Rider on the Seminole Wekiva TrailLake Mary Blvd Trail
This urban bike path parallels the north side of the westbound lanes of Lake Mary Blvd for 10.2 miles from Rinehart Rd west to SR 46.
There are many business and residential driveways along it, as well as major road crossings at traffic lights. It is not a casual ride.
Where the Lake Mary Blvd Trail ends at SR 46, the SR 415 side path takes over on the north side of the highway.
This side path parallels SR 415 for 6 miles, crossing the St. Johns River on a dedicated bike path on the highway bridge.
SR 415 side path at the St. Johns RiverIt leads past a trailhead at Beck Ranch Park to meet the East Central Regional Rail Trail trailhead under the bike bridge in Osteen.
East Central Regional Rail Trail Spanning 36.2 linear miles across southern Volusia County, the East Central Regional Rail Trail offers a long ride that also makes up a portion of several major Florida bike trails.The East Central Regional Rail Trail, in turn, is part of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, heading east to Edgewater and Titusville.
Heading west, it uses the Spring to Spring Trail to circle around Lake Monroe west around DeBary and to rejoin the Cross Seminole Trail at the St. Johns River.
Follow the Cross Seminole Trail through Sanford and Lake Mary back to Lake Mary Blvd.
On the Spring to Spring Trail near Lake Monroe ParkTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about the trails sharing part of this bike path.
Florida Trail, Orlando Between the prairies of Osceola County and the Ocala National Forest, this 150 mile section of the Florida Trail slips through suburbs of the Orlando metro.
Florida Coast to Coast Trail With a corridor spanning more than 220 miles across nine Florida counties, the Florida Coast to Coast Trail (C2C) is Central Florida's long distance bike path.Slideshow
See our photos from the Cross Seminole Trail North
Related Articles
Articles we’ve written about this part of the Cross Seminole Trail.
Biking the Rinehart Trail John takes on an urban piece of the C2C in Sanford following the Rinehart Trail - bits of path, sidewalks, and road shoulders - to meet the Seminole Wekiva Trail.
Recumbent on the Cross Seminole Trail To see the Florida Trail from a different perspective, our friend Richard drove over from the coast to join Sandy and I for a recumbent trike ride on the Cross Seminole Trail. 
Return to Big Tree Park While The Senator is a charred stump, thanks to an arsonist, the grandeur of its surroundings at Big Tree Park - including a 2,000-year-old cypress - has reopened to the public.
Cross Seminole County JK finishes up his last Florida Trail miles in Seminole County as he continues to fill in the blanks on a section hike of the statewide Florida Trail.
Hiking the Cross Seminole Trail A hike along the Cross Seminole Trail - which the Florida Trail follows - through Oviedo and Winter Springs means an introduction to suburbia in the Orlando metro.Along the Trail
Stops along this route that are worth a visit.
Spring Hammock Preserve Accessible pathways and boardwalks wind through an old-growth floodplain forest to a scenic overlook of Lake Jesup, passing massive cypresses and a cloudy blue spring along the way. 
Big Tree Park While the iconic Senator is no more, Big Tree Park continues to fascinate visitors with its enormous cypress trees, including Lady Liberty. The park provides access to the Cross Seminole Trail.
- Hal Scott Yellow Trail - November 3, 2026
- Hal Scott Preserve - October 28, 2026
- Tradewinds Park - October 27, 2026