Following the former route of the Southern Coast Line from Oviedo towards Orlando, the western segment of the Cross Seminole Trail is more visible to motorists than the northern segment.
Meant as more of a transportation corridor than a pleasure ride, it parallels SR 426 for much of its length.
Still, it has its high points. One of these is the showy trail bridge overlooking where Red Bug Lake Rd becomes Mitchell Hammock Rd.
Another is the ever-changing seasonal displays at Lukas Nursery, where there is always something in bloom.
While there are numerous road crossings, many make use of traffic lights. The toughest spot is where you cross SR 434 near downtown Oviedo without a light.
Stopping for a giant garden gnome at Lukas NurseryThe trail also crosses SR 426 twice, once in Oviedo and once near the terminus in Goldenrod.
Both of those crossings rely on traffic lights but you must watch out for motorists blindly turning right on red without stopping.
The only overpass along this section is over Red Bug Lake Rd. All other crossings are at street level.Resources
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Overview
Location: Oviedo to Goldenrod
Length: 6.6 miles linear
Land manager: Seminole County
Phone: 407-665-2001
Open dawn to dusk. Leashed pets welcome. Please use parking areas shown on the map for access rather than shopping centers.
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.
There are water fountains and benches along the trail, but no restrooms (other than in private businesses) or trailheads between the two parking areas shown on our map.
Biking the Cross Seminole Trail West
We describe this segment separately from the main segment of the Cross Seminole Trail because it does not directly connect to it.
It also evolved differently. While the rest of the trail came about as an effort to establish a greenway across the county, this portion is more of a transportation route.
The trail is often a side path along SR 426Trail mileage starts at 0.0 at the county line and is displayed on posts. Originally they were every half mile but we only spotted a handful along our ride.
Cyclists from Seminole County are more likely to ride out and back from Oviedo to Orlando, so our description flows opposite from the mileage posts. Count down to zero as you ride.
Mileage post just west of the eastern terminus of this rideThis segment of the Cross Seminole Trail starts at Oviedo Blvd. We accessed it with a short side path ride down the boulevard from the Oviedo Aquatic Center.
Riding the Oviedo Blvd side path to the Cross Seminole Trail terminusThe trail starts along the old SCL railroad grade through Oviedo at this corner within sight of the intersection of Oviedo Blvd with SR 426 (Broadway).
Eastern terminus of this Cross Seminole Trail segmentIt tunnels through a screen of trees before passing behind the old rail car and former lumberyard in downtown Oviedo.
Old industrial buildings in downtown OviedoAfter a quarter mile it meets SR 434. This is a difficult crossing because the road is usually busy. Motorists do not always stop to let you use the crosswalk.
SR 434 is as close as the western segment of the Cross Seminole Trail gets to the rest of the trail, which starts a couple of blocks north along SR 434 at Railroad Street.
After crossing SR 434, the trail continues down a nicely shaded greenway corridor through a residential area into an industrial area.
It’s here it makes a confusing jog off the former railroad corridor to cross SR 426 at the traffic light for the Oviedo Mall.
Crossing SR 426 at the Oviedo Mall entranceAs soon as it crosses SR 426, it immediately turns left as a side path along the highway heading west.
Riding parallel to SR 426 just before the turnoffWithin a block, it branches off to the right, rejoining the old SCL Railroad route.
After a forested greenway behind businesses and the Oviedo Medical Center, it climbs up and over a showy bridge over Red Bug Lake Rd.
Climbing the long ramp to the bridgeBe very cautious of motorists along this next stretch where a McDonalds adjoins the trail. People turning in and out of the shopping center don’t look.
This is the most dangerous part of the ride because of motoristsThat’s the most annoying part of the trail. The rest is relatively smooth sailing. The bike path parallels SR 426 on its north side.
Lucas Nursery has lots of interesting plants and always some kind of display out front that’s worth a moment for a photo.
Riding past Lukas NurseryCrossing Slavia Rd at a traffic light after 2.4 miles, the trail remains a side path along the highway until it reaches a corporate office. It’s here that it pulls away from SR 426.
The diagonal puts the trail in patches of appreciated shade as it skims beneath the tree canopy adjoining offices and condos.
A welcome rest stop in the shadeAs this greenway widens, a pavilion offering shade and benches past the entrance to Via Loma is a welcome stop.
Gazebo near Via LomaAt 4.9 miles, you pass under SR 417, the toll road connecting Sanford, Oviedo, and Orlando.
Riding under SR 417The trail is now flanked by residences. After crossing Tuskawilla Rd at a dedicated traffic light for the bike path, it continues its diagonal through an area once known as Gabriella.
Dedicated traffic light for the trail at Tuskawilla RdRejoining the side of Aloma Blvd after 5.7 miles, the trail stays within sight of it, crossing entrances to subdivisions.
Following Aloma Blvd past a historic markerAt the traffic light for Howell Branch Rd, follow the overhead signage that indicates the trail crosses Aloma Blvd (SR 426) to its south side.
It then crosses Hall Rd (which is also Howell Branch Rd north of the intersection). Use traffic signals for both crossings.
Crossing Hall Rd after crossing SR 426Once you are west of Hall Rd, the sign for the Cady Way Trail marks the end of the Cross Seminole Trail after 6.6 miles.
As the Cross Seminole Trail ends, the Cady Way Trail startsContinue another quarter mile along the bike path to Goldenrod Park. It serves as the trailhead for these two trails, which seamlessly flow together.
The Cross Seminole Trail is a designated Purple Heart TrailTrailheads
| Trailhead | Address | City |
|---|---|---|
| Oviedo Aquatic Center | 148 Oviedo Blvd | Oviedo |
| Goldenrod Park | 4863 N Goldenrod Rd | Winter Park |
John consulting the trail map at Goldenrod ParkMileage
| Mile | Location |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | Oviedo Blvd terminus |
| 0.3 | SR 434 crossing |
| 1.4 | SR 426 crossing |
| 1.8 | Red Bug Lake Rd bridge |
| 2.4 | Slavia Rd crossing |
| 4.9 | SR 417 underpass |
| 5.5 | Tuskawilla Rd crossing |
| 6.5 | SR 426 / Hall Rd crossing |
| 6.6 | County Line terminus / Cady Way Trail begins |
| 6.9 | Goldenrod Park |
Bike Rentals
Pedego Electric Bikes (321-765-7671) along SR 426 in Oviedo offers both full day and hourly rentals. Call ahead or book online to reserve.
Connections
Cady Way Trail
The Cady Way Trail starts where the Cross Seminole Trail ends. It provides a seamless connector into Orlando.
Cady Way Trail
An urban bike path, the Cady Way Trail follows an old railroad line to connect Orlando and Winter Park neighborhoods to neighboring Seminole County
Cross Seminole Trail
The primary portion of the Cross Seminole Trail extends north from its terminus along SR 434 in downtown Oviedo at Railroad Street.
It is 16.2 miles from downtown Oviedo to the northern trail terminus at a junction with the Seminole Wekiva Trail in Lake Mary.
Limited parking is available along Railroad Street in Oviedo. Cyclists can use the bike lane on SR 434 to connect the two pieces of the Cross Seminole Trail
However, SR 434 is a busy road and its intersection at SR 426 is one of the busier ones in this area.
It is also possible to connect the trails together via Oviedo Blvd. Turn left at the trail terminus for the Cross Seminole Trail west and cross SR 434 at the light.
Continue along the sidepath. Where it narrows, ride carefully or hop off the bike and walk it to get around the clock shop to cross over to Franklin Ave at the roundabout.
A side path parallels Franklin Ave. Cross SR 434 at the traffic light at Franklin and SR 434. From there the side path leads right up to the Cross Seminole Trail.
The primary trailhead for the south end of this trail is at Black Hammock Trailhead immediately north of SR 417 along SR 434.
Cross Seminole Trail North
Connected to a vast network of bike paths across Central Florida, this 21 mile corridor between Oviedo and Sanford hosts portions of the Florida National Scenic Trail and the Florida Coast to Coast Trail
Trail Map
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Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Econ River Wilderness
Protecting a narrow band of green space in the urbanizing suburbs of the Orlando metro, the Econ River Wilderness surprises with its botanical beauty and wildlife
Little-Big Econ State Forest
One of the most popular destinations for outdoor recreation in the Orlando metro area, Little-Big Econ State Forest protects more than 9,500 acres along the floodplain of the Econlockhatchee River