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Level:
Length: 29 mi (46.7 km)
Surface: Greenway
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: -
Total: 10 riders
Mountain Biking General James Van Fleet Trail
#235 of 289 mountain bike trails in Florida
Van Fleet is mostly flat, an old railroad stretch that was paved over. It's in the boundaries of the State Park with the same name. It runs SE for ~22 miles then makes a slight bend to continue S. There are restrooms (real, not pit)and water fountain at the Mabel trailhead, near the parking area.
This trail is an easy ride and you can go pretty fast. Hybrids or even road bikes will make it an easier roll than fat tires and suspension. There are no motor vehicles allowed and you can see birds and turtles in the canals that run by the sides of the trail. There are also farms nearby. Take whatever supplies you need with you. If you do the entire out & back, it's close to 60 miles, a nice workout. After that, head to nearby Mascotte and visit Rainbow Family Restaurant for some terrific southern cookin'. You'll have the appetite for it by then!
First added by searsandrewj on Jan 10, 2013. Last updated May 1, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From the FL Turnpike, exit 285, get on S.R. (FL)19 and go south (~7 miles) to
State Hwy 50, just west of Groveland. Head NW on Hwy. 50 for another 3 miles.
You'll go thru Mascotte and continue W on 50 for 6 miles to Mabel. There's roadwork going on so you'll need to keep an eye out for a sign that reads 'Van Fleet Trail, next left'. Turn left, off 50 and you'll soon see the parking area and Mabel Trailhead. This is the north end of the trail.
this is not a mountain bike trail.
If you're looking for a low-traffic, can't-get-lost place to ride your road bike or hybrid, you'd have a hard time doing better. Unfortunately, knobby tires or suspension are really a detriment to riding this trail. The last time I rode here, the most common trail users were on recumbent trikes.
That being said, the abundance of wildlife to be seen on this trail makes this a fun place to ride a bike.
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