Lake Apopka Loop Trail - Mountain Bike Trail

Lake Apopka Loop Trail is one of the most family-friendly biking trails. This property is about 22.5 km long, enough for an adventurous biking experience. It offers several trails, allowing you to choose the route you prefer the most, according to your needs. Most of these trails generally follow levees through marshes along the lake's shores with little to no shade opportunities. We had to carry sunscreen and hats to protect ourselves from the scorching sun.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description 

Lake Apopka Loop Trail circles Lake Apopka. This trail is a loop, meaning it ends where it started, which reduced our chances of getting lost in the area. It's also fairly flat, giving you an opportunity to see wild animals. 

As we were cycling around the trail, we discovered that it's divided into four parts, as discussed below:

•       Lust Road - It's located on the southwestern part of the lake, and it features a fishing pier, picnic tables and a boat ramp.
•       Oakland Nature Preserve - This section features a boardwalk, an observation tower, and nature paths. It's located in the northeastern part of the lake.
•       Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead - This region offers a panoramic view of the lake and the area around it and is situated on the northwest part of the lake.
•       Magnolia Park - This area is located on the lake's southeastern shore, and most bikers prefer using it as a starting point. 

You can easily spot these sections if you use a map for guidance.

Additional Trail Features

You don't have to pay entry fees to use this biking trail, making it perfect if you're on a tight budget but still want to enjoy biking in a natural environment. This biking trail also has enough parking space at the four starting points. 

If you are caught in the rain while biking on this trail, you can use the shelters along the route. Alternatively, you can shelter in the picnic pavilions at Green Mountain, Magnolia Park and Magnolia Park.

Another important feature in this biking trail is the flush toilet found in Green Mountain and Magnolia Park which can help you with waste disposal. You will also get a vault toilet at McDonald Canal.

Sights of Interest, landscapes, views

Lake Apopka Loop Trail has several alligators along the route. These alligators are so many that we lost count. Occasionally, you may see bobcats, raccoons, and the Florida panther.

With approximately 100 bird species and nearly 20 butterfly species already identified, this route is a fantastic place for birding and butterfly watching. During the proper seasons of the year, watch out for Short-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Swallow-tailed Kites, and songbirds.

Recommendations/precautions

1. It's hard to come by clean drinking water when biking in this area. Therefore, it is advisable to carry enough water from home. However, if you forget, you can get clean water at Green Mountain Trailhead, but you'll have to climb to the top of the mountain. Alternatively, you can get it from a water fountain at the Magnolia Park Trailhead.

2. This area contains a lot of insects, especially mosquitoes. Ensure you apply a bug spray to your skin to prevent them from biting you.

3. Keep a safe distance between you and alligators when biking in the area to reduce the risk of alligator attacks. According to FWC, you should maintain a distance of 20 feet.

4. Avoid fishing in Lake Apopka, especially along the northern shores, since it's polluted with chemicals.

5. Carry sunscreen, a hat, or sunglasses to protect you from the scorching sun if you go biking during summer.

6. Most trail paths in the region feature loose pebbles and divots filled with puddles. Use a bike with fat tires when biking in this area to make it easy to maneuver.