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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Pine forest on the Cross Florida Greenway

Florida Trail, Baseline to SE 64th Ave

2.7 miles. On a sliver of restored sandhill, the Baseline section of the Florida Trail provides a stroll within a forested oasis surrounded by suburbia.

Florida Trail, Western Corridor  |  Cross Florida Greenway
( 29.142205, -82.052940 )      2.7 miles

The Cross Florida Greenway is a unique component of the Florida State Parks system. Spanning over a hundred miles in length, and typically only a mile across, it is a fantastic example of conservation.

What was once a planned barge canal route is now protected land, offering multiple recreation opportunities, including this beautiful stretch of the Florida Trail south of Marshall Swamp.

Crossed multiple times by a paved bike path system, what was formerly cow pasture east of Baseline Rd was planted in longleaf pines soon after acquisition, and has now grown into an immersive forest.

Orange blaze on picnic pavilion This section starts at a popular picnic area adjoining a large playground and restrooms


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail Hikes book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Silver Springs
Length: 2.7 miles linear
Trailhead: 29.142204, -82.052940
Address: 4803 SE 58th Ave #4397, Ocala
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Restrooms at south end, portable toilet at north end
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-236-7143

Open sunrise to sunset. No bicycles permitted on the footpath. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Hunting is not allowed along the length of the Cross Florida Greenway.

Pine corridor with footpath


Directions

 
From Interstate 75, head east on SR27 for 2.8 miles, then turn right onto US301/ US441. In 1.8 Miles, turn left onto SR 464 and continue for 5.9 miles.
 
For the south end of this hike, turn left onto SR 35 (Baseline Rd / SE 58th Ave). Turn right in 0.4 mile, following the driveway for 0.2 mile to the Baseline Rd trailhead.
 
For the north end of this hike, continue straight ahead at SR 35 and get in the left lane. In a half mile, turn left onto SE 64th Ave Rd. Follow it for 2.1 miles. The SE 64th Ave Rd trailhead is on the left just before the road dead-ends.

Hike

Starting at the parking area, head eastward on the sidewalk through the Baseline trailhead picnic area. You’ll find a post with a shield-shaped Florida Trail sign and distances to the nearest trailheads.

Following the concrete walkway for 200 feet, turn right at a similar sign before taking a short mowed path into the woods.

Distances above old FNST sign Florida Trail sign


Busy sounds of the trailhead park and nearby traffic quickly fade upon entering a shady tunnel through a sliver of oak hammock.

Crossing a paved multi use trail, follow orange blazes down a well-worn pathway through a longleaf pine restoration area.

Large oak next to a tunnel of trail Trail tunnel


In 0.3 mile, cross the multi-use trail again, following sandy footprints across the pavement.

The forest is recovering nicely from past agricultural use, although the rows of planted pines seem odd at certain angles, revealing long open corridors of grass between them.

Broad greenway across bike path Crossing the multi-use trail


A small section of oaks borders the next paved trail crossing, providing a bit of shade before transitioning into a more sandhill type habitat within young pine forest.

Spanish moss hangs from twisted branches above dense shrubs and palmettos.

Grassy greenway through pines Shady spot under the oaks


Blackberry brambles sprout from a thick carpet of pine needles covering the forest floor as the trail continues to the northeast.

Crossing the paved path again, the trees are taller, but much more sporadic.

Blackberry bushes under pines Young pine forest


For the next half-mile, shade is limited while trekking across grassy clearings covered in tufts of dogfennel.

Several bird species dart overhead from tree to tree, including pine warblers and red-bellied woodpeckers.

Footpath between grass and dog fennel under pines Open pathway through the pines


Features of sandhill habitat become more prominent towards the north end of the trail. Turkey oaks dot a landscape of wiregrass covered white sands.

These trees are easily recognized by their distinctive leaf shape, and one of only a few species well adapted to this dry environment.

Sandy path amid turkey oaks Sandhill habitat


As the trail approaches the SE 64th Ave trailhead, a square of canal diggings from the Cross Florida Barge Canal project introduces interesting elevation changes.

This popular spot offers a disk golf course that crisscrosses the trail a few times. Turn right at the blue-blazed connector trail, following that path straight east for 0.2 mile to the trailhead parking area.

NORTHBOUND: Marshall Swamp
SOUTHBOUND: Santos to Baseline

Hole 18 sign and upswept terrain Hole 18 on the disc golf course


Trail Map

Florida Trail Baseline Trail Map


Explore More!

Learn more about the Florida Trail on the Cross Florida Greenway

Marshall Swamp on the Cross Florida Greenway

Florida Trail, Cross Florida Greenway

43.8 miles. A prime destination for backpacking and day hiking south of Ocala, the Florida Trail follows the Cross Florida Greenway through woodlands between the Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha Rivers


Slideshow

See our photos of the Baseline section of the Florida Trail


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area

Marshall Swamp Trail

Florida Trail, Marshall Swamp

3 miles. Marvel at towering trees in an ancient forest along this Florida Trail segment on the Cross Florida Greenway

Silver River Connector

Silver River Connector

Built to showcase the Cross Florida Greenway, the Silver River Connector is a 3-mile round-trip from the Ocklawaha Visitor Center to Ray Wayside Park.

Silver Springs Conservation Area

Silver Springs Conservation Area

Silver Springs Conservation Area protects upland habitats crucial to recharge of Silver Springs. Two stacked loop trails (with a cross-trail on the upper loop) provide several options for hiking.

Glass-bottomed boats at Silver Springs

Silver Springs State Park

One of the world’s largest and deepest springs, Silver Springs pours out more than 550 million gallons of water daily, forming the Silver River

Official Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, TrailsTag: Birding, Cross Florida Greenway, Dog-friendly, Florida State Parks, Florida Trail, FT Cross Florida Greenway, FT Western Corridor, Ocala, Picnic, Playgrounds, Silver Springs, Wildflowers

Reader Interactions

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Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

Order Now


The Florida Trail

Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

Learn More

The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

Get the App!

Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

  • Florida Trail Overview
  • Plan your Hike
  • Choose the Right Gear
  • Best Scenic Hikes
  • Best Backpacking Trips
  • Section Hiking
  • Thru-Hiking
  • Eastern Continental Trail
  • Florida Trail in South Florida
  • Florida Trail in Central Florida
  • Florida Trail in North Florida
  • Florida Trail in Northwest Florida
  • Florida Trail for Scouting
  • Florida Trail Adventures
  • Florida Trail Updates

Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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