Ride the serene and nature perfect Van Fleet Trail, a very flat and straight trek through the Green Swamp. Start in the morning and enjoy the shady northern end of this 30 mile adventure. [excerpted from Traillink.com] The James A. Van Fleet State Trail runs 29 miles through some of Florida's most scenic rural landscape. If you are looking to immerse yourself in wetlands and wildlife, it will not disappoint; at least one-third of the trail crosses central Florida's 322,690-acre Green Swamp. The trail stretches from Polk City north to the town of Mabel on State Route 50. The Polk City trail head offers ample parking, picnic and restroom facilities, plus an expansive field of clipped grass, perfect for a game of pickup soccer. From the Polk City end you can also head south to Auburndale along the Auburndale TECO Trail. The flat and arrow-straight route, with one slight curve around Mile Marker 5, have made it a favorite among time-trial bicyclists, though thanks to its remote setting, you'll likely encounter only the occasional speedster. The Green Pond Road trail head, near Mile Marker 10, marks the boundary of the Green Swamp, one of Florida's protected wetland and wildlife areas. From here on watch for feral pigs, armadillos, buzzards, tortoises and possibly an alligator or two basking on the trail's warm asphalt surface. While the Bay Lake trail head signals the end of the protected reserve, the final 10 miles of the to the Mabel trail head are every bit as scenic. The decision is yours whether to race back to Polk City or savor the return trip along this beautiful, serene trail. [excerpted from Traillink.com]

• published: 22 Jul 2014
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