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Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala

Florida National Scenic Trail  |  Belleview, Brooksville, Dade City, Dunnellon, Inverness, Kissimmee, Ocala, Silver Springs, St. Cloud
( 27.927990, -81.122780 )      241 miles

380 shares

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

241 miles    Belleview, Brooksville, Dade City, Dunnellon, Inverness, Kissimmee, Ocala, Silver Springs & St. Cloud

With its first segments developed as backpacking loops in Withlacoochee State Forest in the 1970s, the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail is one of two options for circling around the Orlando metro.

Well-established loops in Green Swamp, Richloam, Croom, and Citrus provide excellent weekend getaways for backpackers.

The thru-trail connects these trails with other public lands to provide a pleasant trail corridor up through the Cross Florida Greenway and the Ocala National Forest.

The route starts out with the Florida Trail’s longest roadwalk, but also showcases some of its most beautiful parks and preserves along the Nature Coast.


<< Kissimmee Ocala >> Orlando >>


Resources

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Five Star Trails Gainesville Ocala book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves book cover Florida Trail history book  
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Guthook GuidesGuthook Guides GPS-driven map-based guide to the Florida National Scenic Trail with thousands of waypoints from The Florida Trail Guide. Works offline. For iPhone and Android.


Hiking Tips

FLOODING can be a concern along the Withlacoochee River floodplain from Green Swamp East through Croom. At times the river and its tributaries may be high enough to inundate the trail past the point where it is safe to wade it.

Check the river gauges at Richloam and Croom before heading into those areas.

Even when river levels are normal, the ford at Devil’s Creek in Richloam can be dangerous after a rain since it drains a large floodplain. Never walk into flowing water.

Free permits are required in advance for camping in both Green Swamp East and Green Swamp West.

Contact the Southwest Florida Water Management District at 352-796-7211 or reserve online.

Camping access is limited during hunting seasons. In Withlacoochee State Forest (Richloam, Croom, Citrus), camping is only permitted in designated primitive campsites (free) and recreation areas (fee).

The Cross Florida Greenway provides a 39-mile corridor for backpacking the Florida Trail where hunting is not permitted.

It’s an ideal destination for overnight trips during general gun season in the fall. The Office of Greenways and Trails requires a free permit for primitive camping along the Cross Florida Greenway.

Call 352-236-7143 to obtain a permit for the Greenway. Florida Trail Association members do not need permits; simply carry your membership card with you.

Wear a bright orange shirt or vest during hunting seasons. Check the FWC website for hunting season dates for Green Swamp, Richloam, Croom, Citrus, Ocala National Forest.

Dogs are not permitted in Chinsegut WEA or Perry Oldenburg WEA.

During general gun (deer) season, backpackers in the Ocala National Forest must use designated campsites, none of which exist along the Florida Trail in Ocala West.

Your only option during hunting season is a commercial campground off SR 40. Random camping is permitted at all other times.

A bear bag or bear canister is required for backpackers in the Ocala National Forest.

The Florida Trail Association has partnered with the US Forest Service and Buck N’ Bass Sports Center in Salt Springs to offer free loaner bear canisters: a 10 liter Backerpackers Cache 812 model. Deposit required. Reserve at 352-685-0200.

Portions of the trail are high and dry with limited water sources. Because of this, logistical planning is crucial when backpacking in Croom, Citrus, and the Cross Florida Greenway.

Brooksville, Dade City, Dunnellon, Inverness, and Silver Springs make great base camps for day hiking portions of the Florida Trail that surround them. You’ll find both motels and campgrounds on public land in these communities.

The trail route passes through urban, industrial, and suburban areas for much of the roadwalk connector up to Green Swamp.

Make use of motels in St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Davenport: stealth camping isn’t safe. Use your street smarts while walking through urban residential areas and don’t leave your backpack unattended.


Trail Map

Florida Trail Western Corridor section map


Trail Segments

These are the Florida Trail segments found along the Western Corridor, south to north. Those that show images and descriptions include information about hiking that segment.

68.9 miles. Three Lakes to Green Swamp East (roadwalk + bike paths)
13.4 miles. Green Swamp East
7.3 miles. Green Swamp West to River Road
14.8 miles. River Road to Lacoochee Road
5.9 miles. Richloam
2.9 miles. Ridge Manor roadwalk

Florida Trail, Cypress Lakes Preserve

At Cypress Lakes Preserve, a 1.7-mile segment of the Florida Trail follows the edge of a series of cypress-lined lakes where ancient trees have survived the ages

Ribbon of blue river between forested banks

Florida Trail, Croom River Trail

A pleasant ramble on bluffs above the Withlacoochee River, the Croom River Trail segment of the Florida Trail tunnels through oak hammocks and slips around cypress swamps along its 6.3-mile journey.

Trail climbing through pine forest

Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail

9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat.

Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract

Discover the beauty of May’s Prairie at the heart of the Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract

Citrus Trail at Lizzie Hart Sink

Citrus Hiking Trail

39.1 miles. Savor a rugged hike through rolling hills and rocky terrain on one of Florida’s longest backpacking loops when you take on the Citrus Hiking Trail near Inverness

1.1 miles. Whispering Pines Park
14.7 miles. Withlacoochee State Trail

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

2.5 miles. Silver Springs State Park
1.8 miles. Sharpes Ferry roadwalk
6.0 miles. Sharpes Ferry Road to Hulls Creek

Crooked boardwalk through swamp

Florida Trail, CR 314 to Eaton Creek

11.4 miles. In the damp southwest corner of the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Trail navigates boardwalks across a swampy subtropical jungle.

Florida rosemary and sandpine

Florida Trail, Eaton Creek to CR 316

11.9 miles. North of Eaton Creek, the Florida Trail showcases spectacular sand pine forests and unique species adapted to this arid environment within the Big Scrub.


Loop & Side Trails

The Western Corridor is known for its many large loops that enable backpackers to enjoy easy overnighters. These are trails on our website that intersect with the linear Florida Trail along the Western Corridor.

Croom River Trail

Croom River Trail Loop

Using the Florida Trail and the Blue Loop Trail, hikers can explore a picturesque corner of Withlacoochee State Forest in Ridge Manor along a 3.9-mile loop.

Trail climbing through pine forest

Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail

9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat.

Citrus Trail at Lizzie Hart Sink

Citrus Hiking Trail

39.1 miles. Savor a rugged hike through rolling hills and rocky terrain on one of Florida’s longest backpacking loops when you take on the Citrus Hiking Trail near Inverness

Long stretch of bike path in forest

Withlacoochee State Trail

Tracing 44 miles of railroad history down forested corridors, past big lakes and city parks, and through quaint communities, the Withlacoochee State Trail is one sweet ride

A marshy area on Ross Prairie

Ross Prairie Loop

3.5 miles. Circling the largest prairie ecosystem on the Cross Florida Greenway, the Ross Prairie Loop showcases massive oaks and panoramic views


Articles

Recent articles about the Florida Trail along the Western Corridor

Canoe Creek Road Florida Trail

Circling Central Florida on the Florida Trail

Circling Central Florida on the Florida Trail
Ribbon cutting on the new Dunnellon Trail

Grand opening of the Dunnellon Trail

Grand opening of the Dunnellon Trail
Entrance to the Land Bridge from Land Bridge Trailhead

Cross Florida Greenway History | The Land Bridge

Cross Florida Greenway History | The Land Bridge

Cross Florida Greenway History | Finding a Route

Cross Florida Greenway History | Finding a Route
Hiking the Land Bridge Loop

Early Birds on the Greenway

Early Birds on the Greenway
Big Scrub Florida Trail

The Big Scrub

The Big Scrub

All Articles & Hikes Interactive Map

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, TrailsTag: Belleview, Brooksville, Cross Florida Greenway, Dade City, Dunnellon, Florida Trail, Inverness, Kissimmee, Locations, Ocala, Polk City, Silver Springs, St. Cloud, Tampa, Withlacoochee River, Withlacoochee State Forest

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

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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