Heart of Florida Loop Trail

As its name suggests, the Heart of Florida Loop is a large, circular path near the center of the state. The loop is an ongoing project that is a little more than halfway completed and includes several major central Florida trails and offers access to state parks and freshwater springs.

Counties: Marion, Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Sumter, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus

Trails included: Withlacoochee State Trail, Cross Florida Greenway, Spring-to-Spring Trail, Cross Seminole Trail, Seminole Wekiva Trail, Pine Hills Trail, Clarcona-Ocoee Connector Trail, West Orange Trail, South Lake Trail, South Sumter Connector

Difficulty: Beginner to advanced, depending on the duration of the trip.

Features: Spring views at Gemini Springs Park in Volusia County, views of Lake Minneola in Clermont, and a land bridge that is part of the Cross Florida Greenway.

Points of interest: De Leon Springs State Park, Silver Springs State Park, Fort Cooper State Park, Blue Spring State Park, Hontoon Island State Park, Wekiwa Springs State Park (nearby), and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge (nearby).

Best time of year to visit: is October through April for cooler weather. To see manatees at Blue Spring State Park, visit during winter.

More information: A trail map can be found on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s website.