The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile multi-use Central Florida rail-trail popular for bicycling, running and walking, rollerblading, and horseback riding. Located close to Orlando and Walt Disney World, the trail provides an alternative for fun and fitness to the area's theme parks and attractions with activities for all ages.
Built on the route of the old Orange Belt Railway, the 14-foot-wide trail is operated by Orange County Parks and Recreation and runs through the communities of Oakland, Winter Garden, and Apopka. Riding the trail you will encounter varying scenery, rural and suburban areas, and towns with access to restaurants, shops and facilities.
The trail runs close to Lake Apopka, with several access points to the lake, and several bike shops along the trail have rentals. An equestrian path, starting at Clarcona Horseman's Park, parallels the trail for 10 miles. At the western end, it connects with the South Lake-Minneola Scenic Trail in Lake County, to create 30 miles of continuous paved off-street biking. Eventually, the trail will connect with more trails to be part of a planned 250-mile recreational loop.
Along the trail are benches and water, plus "Stations" and "Outposts" with parking and facilities. The main trailheads are:
Killarney Station located off SR50 west of Winter Garden, has parking, restrooms, water, snacks, playground, and bike shop. The South Lake Trail connector is here.
Winter Garden Station is on Plant Street (CR438) in Winter Garden, and has parking, restrooms, water, playground, and picnic pavilion. Downtown Winter Garden's restaurants, shops, museums, and bike shop are just down the street.
Apopka Station, on South Forest Avenue in Apopka just north of the bridge crossing at US441, has parking, restrooms and water, playground, and picnic facilities.
The section from Killarney Station to Oakland (2 miles) features the old railroad bridge over I-75, a local landmark. An unexpected treat along this section of the trail is Briley Farm where you might see exotic animals including Watusi cattle, ostrich, and zebra. Other interesting sights are a pretty butterfly garden about a mile just east of the Oakland Outpost, and the Oakland Nature Preserve (hiking trail and boardwalk to Lake Apopka). Oakland has an Outpost with benches and water.
Leaving Oakland toward Winter Garden (3 miles) is a pretty section past big moss-laden oaks. Winter Garden has been revitalized as a result of the bike trail which goes right down the middle of Plant Street - stop at the restaurants and shops (including bike shops), cool off on the benches around the central fountain, or visit the Winter Garden Historical Museum (an old train depot) for a view of the area's past. Kids might also enjoy cooling down at the splash park. Most weekends will find some kind of community event centered in this area.
Between Winter Garden and Apopka (17 miles) the trail goes through suburban neighborhoods, under a highway, and around a golf course. At Apopka-Vineland Road is the option to ride the spur to Clarcona Horseman's Park (the equestrian trailhead), or cross Apopka-Vineland road at the light and enjoy a pretty section of the trail through a tree canopy. The trail emerges alongside the road again, into Apopka. A bridge crosses busy US441, past Apopka Station, and to trail end.
With excellent facilities, interesting sights, access to food and beverage, bike shops and rentals, the West Orange Trail has everything needed for a fun-filled day for all ages.
Built on the route of the old Orange Belt Railway, the 14-foot-wide trail is operated by Orange County Parks and Recreation and runs through the communities of Oakland, Winter Garden, and Apopka. Riding the trail you will encounter varying scenery, rural and suburban areas, and towns with access to restaurants, shops and facilities.
The trail runs close to Lake Apopka, with several access points to the lake, and several bike shops along the trail have rentals. An equestrian path, starting at Clarcona Horseman's Park, parallels the trail for 10 miles. At the western end, it connects with the South Lake-Minneola Scenic Trail in Lake County, to create 30 miles of continuous paved off-street biking. Eventually, the trail will connect with more trails to be part of a planned 250-mile recreational loop.
Along the trail are benches and water, plus "Stations" and "Outposts" with parking and facilities. The main trailheads are:
Killarney Station located off SR50 west of Winter Garden, has parking, restrooms, water, snacks, playground, and bike shop. The South Lake Trail connector is here.
Winter Garden Station is on Plant Street (CR438) in Winter Garden, and has parking, restrooms, water, playground, and picnic pavilion. Downtown Winter Garden's restaurants, shops, museums, and bike shop are just down the street.
Apopka Station, on South Forest Avenue in Apopka just north of the bridge crossing at US441, has parking, restrooms and water, playground, and picnic facilities.
The section from Killarney Station to Oakland (2 miles) features the old railroad bridge over I-75, a local landmark. An unexpected treat along this section of the trail is Briley Farm where you might see exotic animals including Watusi cattle, ostrich, and zebra. Other interesting sights are a pretty butterfly garden about a mile just east of the Oakland Outpost, and the Oakland Nature Preserve (hiking trail and boardwalk to Lake Apopka). Oakland has an Outpost with benches and water.
Leaving Oakland toward Winter Garden (3 miles) is a pretty section past big moss-laden oaks. Winter Garden has been revitalized as a result of the bike trail which goes right down the middle of Plant Street - stop at the restaurants and shops (including bike shops), cool off on the benches around the central fountain, or visit the Winter Garden Historical Museum (an old train depot) for a view of the area's past. Kids might also enjoy cooling down at the splash park. Most weekends will find some kind of community event centered in this area.
Between Winter Garden and Apopka (17 miles) the trail goes through suburban neighborhoods, under a highway, and around a golf course. At Apopka-Vineland Road is the option to ride the spur to Clarcona Horseman's Park (the equestrian trailhead), or cross Apopka-Vineland road at the light and enjoy a pretty section of the trail through a tree canopy. The trail emerges alongside the road again, into Apopka. A bridge crosses busy US441, past Apopka Station, and to trail end.
With excellent facilities, interesting sights, access to food and beverage, bike shops and rentals, the West Orange Trail has everything needed for a fun-filled day for all ages.
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