Last updated on January 14th, 2026 at 03:20 pm
Bike trails like this should be everywhere in Florida.
Until they are, however, the West Orange Trail stands out as a particularly appealing bike trail. We drove three hours from Fort Lauderdale to make a weekend out of trying out the West Orange Trail and exploring historic Winter Garden. Our conclusion? Worth the drive.
The West Orange Trail, completed in 1999, is a 22-mile-long paved rail-trail about 15 miles west of Orlando. Its northern end is Apopka and it wanders through rural and suburban landscape near Lake Apopka, though Winter Garden and then continues five miles west. It’s smooth, wide (14 feet) and well-marked.
The West Orange Trail connects to another 10-mile trail system in Lake County, the South Lake Trail and the Minneola Scenic Trail, bringing the total to 32 miles of paved trail.
An advantage for visitors: There are several good bike rental operations that serve the trail, so this can be a great day’s activity when visiting Central Florida.
The prettiest sections go through historic towns (Oakland and Winter Garden) or under a beautiful canopy of trees.
In between, there are stretches of suburbia. But just when you tire of a stretch of scenery that isn’t very special, you go through a section that is.
The amenities along this trail contribute to the good experience. Every several miles, there are stations or outposts with restrooms, water, parking, benches and sometimes more.
The Chapin Station, for example, two miles north of Winter Garden, has a pretty garden with a koi pond and a recreation area featuring a large playground and picnic tables.
The West Orange Trail southwest from Winter Garden
The best base for exploring the West Orange Trail is Winter Garden, a historic town whose downtown has been transformed by the presence of the trail passing through the middle of its attractive downtown. Here’s more about visiting Winter Garden and staying in the Historic Edgewater Hotel, which caters to bicyclists.
If you head southwest from Winter Garden, you traverse the most scenic section of the trail. Three miles down the path, you go through Oakland, a small town shaded by towering oaks that has preserved several historic buildings along the trail. Alongside the trail, look closely for a section of the original railroad rails that parallel the trail – with large trees growing between the rails.
A great stop along this stretch is the Oakland Nature Preserve, which has an entrance right off the West Orange Trail.
I’d recommend locking your bike and stretching your legs on its trails, which take you through woods and over a boardwalk to a pavilion overlooking Lake Apopka, where good signage explains the story of this lake. (It went from a premiere fishing destination to which tourists flocked to being Florida’s most polluted. Now it has been cleaned up and is recovering.) The education center here has exhibits and a big porch filled with rocking chairs.
Back on the West Orange Trail, when you reach the end at Killarney Station, 5.2 miles from Winter Garden, you have the option of extending your ride by continuing on the South Lake Trail, which connects to the Lake Minneola Scenic Trail. Together, these two trails can give you an additional 9.5 miles of excellent trail, including a section along Lake Minneola with a great views.
These trails, also wide and paved, are known for being more strenuous. They have the highest elevation of any bike trails in Florida. (OK. We know Florida is not known for its elevation.) The South Lake section, which starts where the West Orange Trail ends, is popular with triathletes for training.
The West Orange Trail northeast of Winter Garden
When you head northeast from Winter Garden, there are fewer historic features, but there are also fewer road crossings to slow you down. You go through sections of suburban developments and along main roads, but then the trail will redeem itself and pass through a forested section or along a golf course.
We bicycled just beyond the Apopka-Vineland Outpost, about 11.5 miles north of Winter Garden. It’s a shady little park with picnic tables where a plucky free-range rooster kept us company.
Beyond the Apopka-Vineland Outpost, there is a pretty stretch of trail for a mile or so but the trail then gives way to section that parallels a road. This section is not known for its scenery.
Planning your visit to the West Orange Trail
There is parking at each station and outpost along the trail, so you can start at any end or in the middle. Most people advise, however, to start in the scenic southwestern section of the trail around Winter Garden, a charming town we can tell you more about in the link.
Here’s a detailed map of the West Orange Trail.
Are e-bikes permitted on the West Orange Trail?
Yes, but Winter Garden passed restrictions on e-bikes in January 2026 after complaints from users of the West Orange Trail.
The news ordinance says:
- E- Bikes operators shall not exceed a speed of 10 miles per hour while on a bicycle path that is not immediately adjacent to a roadway.
- Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited from the paved path designated as part of the West Orange Trail.(Class 3 refers to more powerful pedal-assist e-bikes that are equipped with motors capable of 28 miles per hour.)
- No person under 15 may operate an e-bike on a bicycle path or other city-owned property. A minor under the minimum age may ride as a passenger on an e-bike designed for a passenger.
- There are additional regulations for motorized scooters, which cannot be operated on sidewalks less than 8 feet wide, cannot exceed 10 miles per hour and cannot carry passengers.
A big plus in our experience was staying at the Edgewater Hotel in delightful Winter Garden, We recommend it.
If you want to rent bicycles, there are several options:
Killarney Station in Oakland
West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades 407-877-0600
17914 SR 438, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Saturday, Sunday and holidays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Winter Garden Station
Wheelworks 407-877-7433 or Rentals@wgwheelworks.com
455 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787
Open Sunday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Traillink reviews of the trail.
Note: A few riders suggest you not ride alone in the Apopka section; it’s also not as scenic.
The South Lake/Lake Minneola Scenic Trail
As you head east, the West Orange Trail doesn’t end, it continues for 10 more miles along three additional trails and along the scenic shoreline of Lake Minneola. This Lake County trail section offers lake scenery, varied elevations, picnic spots and parks.
One thing to note: This trail section has hills higher than other rail trails in Florida. It is well used and can get busy at peak times.
On the eastern end of the trail, the trailhead at Clermont’s Waterfront Park includes access to the lakeside
beach and playground.
Brochure for the South Lake/Minneola Trail
New to Lady Lake snowbirds, new at E biking and Kayaking.