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Living like a local: 5 trails to explore in Orlando

By Shelley Caran

City of Orlando Bike Trails January 2020 (City of Orlando)

By Shelley Caran

Biking is a great way to exercise and see our beautiful city, and the City of Orlando has over 300 miles of off-street paths and bicycle lanes for riders to explore.

The trail network has five main routes that are used by over 220,000 cyclists a month.

Cady Way Trail

City of Orlando Bike Trails - Cady Way (City of Orlando)

The Cady Way Trail includes over y miles of paved corridor that extends northeast from the Fashion Square Mall through Orange County while connecting to the Cross Seminole Trail.

The trail is 12 feet wide with water fountains, sheltered rest stops and an Emergency Response Marker System every one-tenth of a mile.

Lake Druid Park is the trailhead for the Cady Way Trail, and the path will take riders through Audubon Park, Baldwin Park, Colonial Town Center and Coytown.

With long shaded segments, this trail is one of the most heavily used trails during weekends and early evenings.

Lake Underhill Path

City of Orlando Bike Trails - Lake Underhill (City of Orlando)

Located 3 miles east of Downtown Orlando, the Lake Underhill Path connects city parks while also providing access to restaurants, retail, employment centers and the Orlando Executive Airport.

The trail is 12 feet wide with a Lake Underhill loop, access to the Orlando Fitness Trail System, boat ramps for fishing on the lakes or watching wildlife and access to restroom facilities.

Trailhead parking for the Lake Underhill Path can be accessed at Festival Park, Park of the Americas, Lake Underhill Park and Colonel Joe Kittinger Park.

Orlando Southeast Trail

City of Orlando Bike Trails - Southeast Trail (City of Orlando)

With approximately 13 miles of trail, the Orlando Southeast Trail is located east of the Orlando International Airport near Narcoose Road and is the longest in the network.

Ninety percent of the Orlando Southeast Trail is an off-street path, with asphalt and concrete sections.

The tree-lined path is also a favorite with bike riders looking to stop along the way for nature sightings such as birds, mammals and reptiles.

Trailhead parking for the Orlando Southeast Trail can be found at Heroes Community Park, across the water from the Veterans Affairs Hospital. The trail takes riders through the East Park, Education Village, Lake Nona Central, LaVina, Northlake Park at Lake Nona and Randal Park neighborhoods.

The Orlando Urban Trail

City of Orlando Bike Trails - Urban Trail (City of Orlando)

Considered the spine of Orlando’s trail network, the Orlando Urban Trail takes riders through Downtown Orlando along 3 miles of off-street paths, with asphalt and concrete sections.

The Orlando Urban Trail meanders around six lakes past live oak trees and over two bridges offering riders unique views.

Neighborhoods along the trail include Lake Formosa, North Orange, Orwin Manor, Park Lake/Highland and Uptown.

Shingle Creek Trail

City of Orlando Bike Trails - Shingle Creek (City of Orlando)

The Shingle Creek Trail, one section of a larger regional trail, is the most suburban trail in the network providing a direct connection to the International Drive Tourist Corridor including Mall at Millenia and the Orlando International Premium Outlets.

The trail begins at Eagles Nest Park with asphalt and concrete sections and a scenic 2-mile loop around Lake Fran.

In the future, the southern portion of the Shingle Creek Trail will extend south from Orlando to Downtown Kissimmee.

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