The Cross Seminole Trail is the piece of the Coast to Coast Trail that most Orlando visitors have never heard of, and it is one of the best paved rides in Central Florida. Thirty-one miles running diagonally across Seminole County, from the Winter Park boundary in the south up through Oviedo and Winter Springs to Lake Mary in the north, almost entirely separated from traffic.
It is also flat in the way only Florida is flat: 418 feet of climbing spread across 31 miles, none of it steep, most of it in the rolling middle section around Spring Hammock.
The route
The trail begins at the south end at the intersection of Aloma Avenue and Howell Branch Road, where it meets the Cady Way Trail in Winter Park. From there it runs north for roughly 23 miles to the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 4 in Lake Mary, where it connects to the Seminole Wekiva Trail.
Between those two ends it passes through Oviedo and Winter Springs, skirts Lake Jesup, and threads Spring Hammock Preserve. A portion of the corridor is designated part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which is unusual company for a paved suburban bike path.
Because both ends connect to other trails, the practical riding distance is much longer than 31 miles. South on the Cady Way Trail takes you toward Orlando; north-west on the Seminole Wekiva Trail takes you toward Altamonte Springs and Apopka. This is the spine of the regional network, not an isolated path.
Riding it in sections
Thirty-one miles one way is a 62-mile round trip, which is a real day even with a motor. Most riders take a section.
South section: Goldenrod Park to Black Hammock (about 10 miles). Suburban, with more road crossings than the rest of the trail, running up through Oviedo. Good surface, easy navigation, and the section where the trail feels most like a neighbourhood connector.
Middle section: Black Hammock through Spring Hammock (about 8 miles). The best part of the ride. Cypress forest, the Lake Jesup edge, boardwalk, and the closest thing the trail has to hills. If you only ride one section, ride this one.
North section: Soldiers Creek to Lake Mary (about 13 miles). Opens out through Longwood and Lake Mary, past Big Tree Park and Greenwood Lakes Park, finishing at the I-4 pedestrian bridge. More parkland, more shade in places, and the connection onward to the Seminole Wekiva Trail.
What to stop for
Spring Hammock Preserve. The reason to ride the middle section. Cypress forest, a boardwalk out toward Lake Jesup, and an off-trail wilderness feel a hundred yards from a paved bike path.
Big Tree Park, Longwood. Home of "The Senator" cypress until 2012, and still worth the stop for the replacement, "Lady Liberty", and the boardwalk.
Greenwood Lakes Park, Lake Mary. Restrooms, water and parking directly on the trail in the north section.
Oviedo and Winter Springs town centres. Food and coffee within a short detour from the trail.
Trailheads and parking
Nine official trailheads, spread along the length of the corridor. Parking is free at all of them, and the middle ones fill first at weekends.
| Trailhead | Address |
|---|---|
| Goldenrod Park | 4863 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park, FL 32792 |
| Black Hammock Trailhead | 1571 E State Rd 434, Winter Springs, FL 32708 |
| Soldiers Creek Park | 2400 State Road 419, Longwood, FL |
| Big Tree Park Trailhead | 761 General Hutchison Parkway, Longwood, FL |
| Greenwood Lakes Park | 660 Greenway Blvd, Lake Mary, FL |
| CST Rinehart / Lake Mary | 3990 West Lake Mary Blvd, Lake Mary, FL |
| Oval Park | 900 International Pkwy, Lake Mary, FL 32746 |
| Lake Monroe Wayside Park | 4150 US-17, Sanford, FL 32771 |
For a first ride, start at Black Hammock and head north into Spring Hammock. It puts the best scenery in the first few miles and gives you an easy turnaround.
Surface, shade and conditions
The trail is paved for its full length and generally well maintained. Expect:
- Road crossings through the southern suburban sections. Most are signalised or well marked, but
they break up the rhythm.
- Genuine shade through Spring Hammock and parts of the northern parkland, which makes this one
of the more survivable Central Florida summer rides.
- Exposed stretches in the Lake Mary and Oviedo sections, where there is very little cover.
- Boardwalk sections near the preserve, which can be slick after rain.
Inland Central Florida is hotter than the coast with no sea breeze. From May to September, ride before 10am.
Why an e-bike suits this trail
Three reasons. The trail is long enough that a section becomes a full day on a pedal bike and a comfortable morning with assist. Its two ends connect onward to other trails, so the natural ride is longer than you plan. And the heat is the limiting factor here rather than the terrain, which is exactly the problem pedal assist solves.
A Class 1 or Class 2 bike is right for this trail. Shared-use paths in Central Florida commonly allow Class 1 and 2 while restricting faster Class 3 bikes, so if you are renting a Class 3, check the current position first. Our e-bike classes guide explains the difference, and the Florida e-bike law guide covers the state rules.
Practical notes
- Trail contact: Seminole County Leisure Services, 407-665-2001.
- Water is available at the park trailheads, not between them. Carry more than you think.
- The I-4 pedestrian bridge at the north end is the connection to the Seminole Wekiva Trail, and
is worth riding across even if you turn around after it.
- Alligators are present around Lake Jesup and the preserve. Stay on the trail and the boardwalk.
- Lock the bikes at trailheads. Park lots are quiet on weekdays.
The short version
Park at Black Hammock, ride north through Spring Hammock Preserve, and turn around when you have had enough. That is the best few hours the Cross Seminole Trail has to offer, and it is a twenty-minute drive from most of the Orlando resort corridor.
Rent a Class 1 or 2, go early in summer, take more water than the distance suggests, and confirm opening hours with the shop before you drive over.
Trail details from Seminole County Leisure Services and Bike Florida.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Cross Seminole Trail?
31.1 miles, with about 418 feet of elevation gain and 488 feet of loss end to end. It runs from the Aloma Avenue and Howell Branch Road intersection at the Winter Park boundary north to the Interstate 4 pedestrian bridge in Lake Mary.
Where does the Cross Seminole Trail start and end?
The southern end is at Aloma and Howell Branch in Winter Park, where it meets the Cady Way Trail. The northern end is at the pedestrian bridge over I-4 in Lake Mary, where it joins the Seminole Wekiva Trail. It is part of the statewide Coast to Coast Trail.
Can you ride an e-bike on the Cross Seminole Trail?
E-bikes are commonly ridden on the trail. As with all Florida shared-use paths, the rules are set locally rather than by the state, and faster Class 3 bikes are the ones most often restricted. Class 1 and Class 2 are what local shops rent. Confirm the current position with your rental shop or with Seminole County on 407-665-2001.
Where can I park for the Cross Seminole Trail?
There are nine official trailheads with free parking, listed with addresses above. Goldenrod Park serves the southern end, Black Hammock the middle, and Greenwood Lakes Park and Oval Park the northern end around Lake Mary.
What is the best section of the Cross Seminole Trail?
The middle, from Black Hammock north through Spring Hammock Preserve. Cypress forest, the Lake Jesup edge, boardwalk, real shade, and the only section with any noticeable elevation change.
Is the Cross Seminole Trail good for families?
Yes, particularly the northern parkland sections around Big Tree Park and Greenwood Lakes Park, which have restrooms, water and parking on the trail. The southern suburban section has more road crossings and suits confident riders better.
Does the Cross Seminole Trail connect to other trails?
Yes, at both ends: the Cady Way Trail in the south toward Orlando, and the Seminole Wekiva Trail in the north toward Altamonte Springs and Apopka. It is a link in the cross-state Coast to Coast Trail.