I love finding unique gems in the city. This trail is one of them! Biking through nature is always my jam, but this trail is extra special because it has miles of stunning murals.
I started at Seminole Wekiva Trailhead. There is a sign visible from highway 436, but the street you turn on is not very noticeable. Keep your eye out for a cross fit gym and the turn will be immediately after that on your right. Drive down the small road and you will see places to park.
This trail starts like most trails I have biked in Florida. A nice wide paved bike path surrounded by greenery. You will bike over Little Wekiva River and continue through a nicely wooded residential area.
This trail will take you over roads from time to time so be wary on those crossings. There are pedestrian/biker crossing signals. There are also biker friendly tunnels that go under the major highways, so that you don't have to cross traffic. And they are fun to ride through! Biking through them made me feel like I was on Space Mountain.
You will pass a fun little restaurant area. I noticed a Starbucks and a smoothie place. A nice thing to keep in mind if you would like to grab a little something on the way back.
Already starting the mural fun with this picture outside Santiago's Bodega in Altamonte.
You will have a small stint of trail along a major road before you are secluded again by neighborhoods and trees.
The section of murals is called Paint The Trail. I was pleasantly surprised it went on for miles. Plenty of opportunities to take a picture with some famous stars. Have some fun selfie moments!
You can also read and learn about natures creatures. You will want to make some stops, just make sure to move your bike out of the way of other riders.
Jones Trailhead is the next major trailhead. There is a good map of the trail there if you need to take a look.
After a few more miles of lovely residential scenery, you will come to a shopping center in Lake Mary. You will pass under the highway in another biker friendly tunnel.
The next few miles are not too exciting. The trail follows International Parkway through a big corporate business area. I made it to Oval Park but then the light sprinkles that were occurring started to turn into full raindrops. So I turned around and started to head back. The trail does continue to Markham Trailhead and Wekiva River.
This trail allows you to check somethings off your Florida bucket list. I know it has helped me with mine. I got to see the unique and artistic expression of Paint the Trail. I also got to check another Florida bike trail off my list. Check! Check!
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