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

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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

Central Florida      ( 28.8406, -82.3306 )      44.1 miles

In the late 1800s, a flurry of railroad construction followed the discovery of phosphate near waterways along Florida’s west coast from Dunnellon south.

Railroad magnate Henry Plant built the Plant System Railroad down to Tampa, connecting these mining communities.

Hedging his mining bets, Plant added destination hotels in Tampa to attract tourists. By 1902, the route became known as the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL).

When the ACL became part of the Seaboard Coast Line in 1967, certain corridors were abandoned over the next two decades. This was one of them.

Historic railroad station in white with Inverness sign The original railroad station in downtown Inverness


One of Florida’s earliest and longest rails-to-trails projects, the original Atlantic Coast Line segment between Citrus Springs and Dade City was used for this bike path.

It was developed in the 1990s as a recreation and transportation corridor. Before we ever met, we’d each explored it in our own ways.

Storefront of Isachatta General Store Now defunct, the Isachatta General Store was a favorite stop for Florida Trail hikers


John rode the trail with friends, using Floral City as a pivot point. Sandra walked it from Nobleton to Hernando as part of a Florida Trail section hike.

The uniqueness of this trail lies in its setting as it parallels the northward flow of the Withlacoochee River.

Sandra taking photo of river A side path leads to the river south of Nobleton


Once-bustling phosphate, timber, and citrus boom towns are now quiet communities in rural lakeside settings.

Easy to access restaurants, campgrounds, and motels enable rides to stop and explore along the way.

Campsite in a forest Crooked River Campground is a personal favorite along the trail


Resources

Our resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida

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: Dade City to Citrus Springs
Length: 44.1 miles linear
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Address: 3100 S. Old Floral City Rd, Inverness FL 34450
Phone: 352-726-0315

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Please pick up after your pet.

Benches are provided at regularly spaced intervals along the trail, as well as covered shelters with benches or picnic tables.

Restrooms with water are provided in several locations adjoining trailhead parking.

Bike path into forest

Electric assist bikes are not permitted per Florida State Parks. Equestrians may use the grassy area adjoining the pavement through Withlacoochee State Forest.


About the Trail

While the trail can be ridden in one go by expert riders, we’ve divided it into three pieces that make sense for day trips out and back from major trailheads.

Withlacoochee State Trail South

On this 13.7 mile stretch starting north of Dade City, most riders focus on the segment northbound from the Ridge Manor trailhead through Withlacoochee State Forest.

The Florida Trail crosses the bike path, providing connections for hikers for the Croom Loops and the Croom River Trail.

Blue blazes leading hikers across bike path Florida Trail crossing north of Silver Lake


There are also three riverfront campgrounds within the state forest that are an easy ride not far off the trail.

This segment is also where cyclists following the Florida Coast to Coast Trail will turn off to continue west on the Good Neighbor Trail into Inverness.

Sandra on a bike path in forest Long canopied sections are a delight on this part of the trail


Withlacoochee State Trail Central

For the 14.3 miles from Nobleton to Inverness, the trail is largely in a shaded corridor first paralleling back roads, and then along US 41.

Passing through the tiny village of Istachatta, it reaches Floral City, historic center of the citrus industry for which Citrus County is named.

Ferris Groves front of store The trail goes behind Ferris Groves, a worthwhile stop for a fresh fruit snack


North of Floral City, a paved side trail connects with facilities in Fort Cooper State Park, where camping can be arranged.

As the trail reaches Inverness, it is again behind residences and businesses. But the protected corridor between the lakes into downtown Inverness is a delight.

Lake with fountain and blue water The trail goes between Cooter Pond and Henderson Lake as it comes into Inverness


Withlacoochee State Trail North

As the trail leaves downtown Inverness, it curves to slip beneath US 41 to end up on its west side for the remainder of the journey, 16.1 miles north.

Right at the US 41 underpass is where the northbound Florida National Scenic Trail joins the bike path all the way up to the Gulf Junction trailhead.

Cyclists passing stairs beneath an underpass Following the Florida Trail out of Whispering Pines Park to join the Withlacoochee State Trail northbound


Road crossings are much more frequent along this segment, as is easy access to restaurants, stores, and trailside parks.

Just south of Dunnellon, the Gulf Junction terminus marks the current end of the Withlacoochee State Trail.

Picnic pavilion along trail Gulf Junction trailhead


Plans are in place to create a paved bike path connector to the Dunnellon trailhead of the Cross Florida Greenway to join the Dunnellon Trail.

The Florida Trail currently follows orange blazes through a Citrus Springs neighborhood to make that connection.

Trail under tunnel of trees Tunnel of trees north of Inverness


Trailheads

 
Click on any icon on the map to pull up trail or park details or obtain directions to a trailhead.

Lakefront park with flowers and picnic tables Wallace Brooks Park in Inverness


Mileage

MileLocation
0.0 Dade City terminus
2.4 Ridge Manor trailhead
5.0 FT Cypress Glen junction
5.6 Silver Lake Rd stile
8.0 FT Silver Lake junction
8.4 Croom junction
8.9 Croom Rd parking
13.2 Lake Lindsay Rd
13.7 Lake Townsen Park
14.3 Istachatta
19.5 Floral Park Dr
21.3 Floral City
25.4 Fort Cooper State Park back entrance
26.8 Eden Drive parking
28.0 Wallace Brooks Park Inverness
28.3 Withlacoochee State Trail Headquarters
29.4 FT Whispering Pines junction
33.3 Hernando trailhead
38.8 Holder parking
39.7 Citrus Springs trailhead
44.1 Gulf Junction trailhead terminus

Connections

Florida Trail

When the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail was first established, it made liberal use of the Withlacoochee State Trail to connect Brooksville with Dunnellon.

In recent years, our National Scenic Trail has been rerouted more appropriately as a footpath as originally intended, linking segments of Withlacoochee State Forest.

Bike path road crossing Following the trail north of Hernando


The Florida Trail continues to use the Withlacoochee State Trail between Whispering Pines Park in Inverness and the Citrus Springs terminus.

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 Coast to Coast Trail

A 6 mile segment of the Withlacoochee State Trail between Ridge Manor and Croom Junction is used as a connector for cyclists following the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.

Bike path through pine forest

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


Good Neighbor Trail

Used as a connector for the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail is a straight run from the Withlacoochee State Trail west to downtown Brooksville.

Sandra cycling into a pine forest on elevated paved trail

Good Neighbor Trail

An important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail stretches 10.1 miles from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail

Trail Map

Withlacoochee State Trail Map
Good Neighbor Trail in blue

Explore More!

Along the Route

Visit these stops along the Withlacoochee State Trail

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.

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.

Lake Townsen Preserve

Lake Townsen Preserve

Offering access to the Withlacoochee River and the Withlacoochee State Trail while protecting a swath of environmentally sensitive lands west of Nobleton, Lake Townsen Preserve is the gateway to miles of trails.

Fort Cooper

Fort Cooper State Park

Protecting woodlands and marshes around Lake Holathlikaha, Fort Cooper State Park preserves an important chapter of the Second Seminole War. An annual re-enactment relives the battle.

Stacks of cooters at Cooter Pond Park

Cooter Pond Park

In downtown Inverness, Cooter Pond Park is a great place for birding and watching the turtles beneath the extensive boardwalk over the pond.


Recent Articles

Destination: Adventure

March 29, 2019//  by Sandra Friend & John Keatley

Biking, paddling, and even a bit of hiking were in the plans as we explored Florida’s Adventure Coast – Hernando County – for activities we could enjoy during warm weather.

All Withlacoochee State Trail Articles


Trail Guide (PDF) Official Website

Category: Biking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Destinations, Equestrian, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Major Bike Trails, Parks, TrailsTag: Accessible, Best Bike Rides, Birding, C2C Segment, Croom Tract, Dade City, Dog-friendly, Dunnellon, Florida Coast to Coast Trail (C2C), Florida State Parks, Florida Trail Biking, Inverness, Lakefront, Locations, Picnic, Ridge Manor, Withlacoochee State Forest, Withlacoochee State Trail

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