A Big Deal: The Lake Apopka Loop Trails Connected

After years of planning and construction, four Lake Apopka trails are finally connected into one. No more riding on roads.

Lake Apopka North Loop Trail

This 47-mile loop trail around the lake has both paved and gravel sections. The majority is paved. The gravel portion is the 18 mile long North Loop Trail of packed gravel. Much of it is along the shoreline (use tires 30mm width or wider).

Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Solid: paved. Dotted: gravel.

I talked with Neal of Wheel Works Bike Shop in Winter Garden. He said he has ridden the 47 mile loop several times over the past few weeks. Wheel Works is a good source for firsthand information.

West Orange Trail through Winter Garden.

The new continuous Lake Apopka Loop Trail was formerly four separate trails. They are now connected as one, with no gaps requiring cyclists to ride on busy, narrow roads. As you ride around the lake, you can follow the signage for the four trail segments.

• The North Loop Trail

• The Hancock Trail

• The South Lake Trail

• The West Orange Trail

In the December 8th Florida Cycling Newsletter we wrote about the North Loop Trail, (before it was joined to the other three trails). We designated it as a Destination Trail, because it is worthy of driving a distance to experience it.

North Shore Loop.

There are three good access points:

1. Green Mountain Trailhead to the west (see map above).

2. Downtown Winter Garden has multiple access points (see map below).

3. The Lake Apopka Trailhead across the road from Magnolia Park to the east (see map above).

West Orange Trail. The purple arrow is now completed to Magnolia Park Trailhead

Completing this loop and connecting these trails was a cooperative effort of Lake and Orange Counties, propelled by the vision of cyclists and organizations in the region such as Friends of Lake Apopka(FOLA).

Upcoming FOLA 40 Cycling Event Around Lake Apopka

Friends of Lake Apopka(FOLA) are holding their 9^th FOLA 40 on April 19, a cycling event for all fitness levels on the trail. There are 8, 16, 36 and 47 mile options.

Find FOLA 40 and over 35 other cycling events throughout Florida on our companion website FloridaCycling.us as a service to subscribers. The comprehensive list includes road, gravel, MTB, paved trails and triathlons.

If you know of other noteworthy events happening for avid cyclists within Florida or neighboring states, please let us know at editor @floridacycling.us so we can help spread the word.

As always - Ride often. Be safe.

Bruce

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