Sometimes a vision takes time. Many of Lake County’s preserves were acquired with habitat restoration in mind.
When we first hiked Ferndale Preserve in 2012, dying citrus groves were being removed and longleaf pines and wiregrass planted.
Today, the fruit of those labors to rewild these hills into sandhills makes for a spectacular hike.
Climbing to the preserve’s high pointNo other trail along Lake Apopka (and there are many) provides such panoramas of Florida’s fourth largest lake.
At 130 feet, the elevation gain and loss on this loop to the lakeshore is substantial for Florida, the well-defined pathway surprisingly steep in places.
Lake view framed by palmsResources
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Overview
Location: Ferndale
Length: 2.1 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.625886,-81.700286
Address: 19220 CR 455, Ferndale
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the trailhead
Land manager: Lake County
Phone: 352-253-4950
Open 7 AM to dusk. No pets permitted. Shade is limited. The trails are shared with cyclists and equestrians.
Cyclists will need fat tires for the grassy and sandy terrain and good brakes for the downhills.
Directions
From SR 50 east of Clermont, follow Hancock Rd north for 4.1 miles, making a right turn 3 miles in to stay on it. Passing the Florida’s Turnpike exit, continue another 1.6 miles to CR 561A. Turn right and drive 1.4 miles to CR 455 in Ferndale. Make a left. After 0.3 miles, the trailhead is on the right.
Hike
Enter the preserve day use area through a gap in the fence and visit the gazebo-like trail kiosk. It contains interpretive panels about the habitats and a map of the preserve.
Within sight of the picnic grounds and playground equipment, turn along the pavered path at the hiker sign in the butterfly garden.
Equestrians have a separate access point across the parking areaRounding the developed area past a series of interpretive markers for plants along the path, step off the pavers onto a sandy path at the next hiker sign.
Climbing a curve to Marker A, continue along the grassy path beyond it. Formerly an orange grove, this hillside is dotted with oaks, cabbage palms, sand pines, and clumps of wiregrass.
First trail junctionAscend into the orange sands of sandhill habitat, winding along the well-defined path to an open grassy area with a ridge visible on the southeast horizon.
Continue upward, passing between two palms. Peer into the surrounding grasses to see delicate wildflowers and clusters of prickly pear cactus.
At a T junction at the crest of a hill 160 feet above sea level, reach Marker B at 0.4 mile. Bear right and take in the panorama of Lake Apopka across the horizon.
Lake ApopkaFramed between cabbage palms and oaks, the view persists on this slow, winding descent.
The pitch of the hill slants more, urging a faster pace through the curves under the trees to Marker C at the bottom.
View of Lake Apopka on the descentAt 0.6 mile, pass through this four-way junction to start a loop to the lakeshore. A xeric hammock edges the slope to the lake.
Warnings are posted about alligators and snakes. Enjoy dappled shade along the forest’s edge.
Forest past Marker CTall bay trees signal the lakeshore is near. Upslope, the grassy longleaf pine sandhills are filling in.
The sandy path winds its way along the hammock, finally reaching its first view of open water beyond low herbacious vegetation at a mile.
A little beyond it, a new-looking clearing with some test holes dug may be where Lake County plans to stage canoes or build an observation deck.
Waterfront on Lake ApopkaPass a pair of bat boxes as the trail keeps close enough to the lake for nice views across the water through the trees.
Following the protrusion of this hillside into Lake Apopka, reach a second clearing at 1.2 mile at Marker D. A worn path reaches the lakeshore and survey markers are in place.
Shoreline by Marker DBeyond this marker, the slope of the hillside affects the slope of the trail, canting towards the lake. Floodplain forest blocks any further lake views.
At Marker F, leave the lakeside trail for a steep climb up through the longleaf and wiregrass to a four-way junction at 1.5 miles.
Here at Marker E, choose the level path to the right for a pleasant return walk.
Marker ECabbage palms flank the trail at first, supplanted after a short while with a slope of longleaf pines.
Sandhill restoration is going very well in this part of the preserve. The ridge visible beyond the downslope trees is nearby Green Mountain, home to another hilly hike.
Maturing restoration areaReach Marker G at 1.7 miles, another four-way junction. The perimeter trail comes in from the left.
A horse farm is straight ahead and downhill on the equestrian access route into this preserve (which starts next to the restrooms).
Near Marker GTo stick with the more hiker-friendly approach to the trailhead, turn left. Climb past oaks and pines where sandhill and scrub habitats meet.
Completing the loop at the Marker A junction, bear right. Reach the end of the footpath at the start of the paver path.
A quick walk around and through the day use area wraps up this 2.1 mile circuit of the preserve.
Returning to the pavered pathTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Ferndale Preserve
Slideshow
See our photos of Ferndale Preserve
Nearby Adventures
Green Mountain Overlook and Trail At Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, take in a sweeping panorama of Lake Apopka from the highest elevations in Central Florida and hike Florida's longest set of trail switchbacks.
Oakland Nature Preserve An accessible boardwalk through marshes to Lake Apopka pairs with an extensive network of upland trails for up to 3.5 miles of hiking at Oakland Nature Preserve.
Lake Louisa State Park As longleaf pine reaches for the sky, the rolling hills of Lake Louisa State Park near Clermont return to their forested roots
Crooked River Preserve On a 1.7-mile loop, Crooked River Preserve showcases a wide variety of habitats in a short hike on the northernmost extent of the Lake Wales Ridge in Clermont.
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