The Cross Seminole Trail is a Seminole County Florida Showcase Trail, a popular rail-trail between Orlando and Lake Mary, Florida, passing through the communities of Oviedo, Winter Springs and Longwood along the 23-mile route. The trail links at the south to the Cady Way Trail and at the north to the Seminole-Wekiva Trail, creating 40 miles of paved off-road trail biking. Passing through parks, suburban neighborhoods, picturesque wooded areas, close to schools, restaurants, shops and facilities, and with links to other trails, several bridges and a tunnel spanning busy roads, the trail is a key component of the Central Florida trail network offering both recreation and transportation alternatives.

Trail users enjoy biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading, and horseback riding. Portions are part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Many benches and rest areas lend to rider comfort, and trailheads provide parking, restrooms, and water. Different sections of the trail reflect their own characteristics, ranging from urban to suburban to semi-rural.

Navigating the Cross Seminole Trail

> Cady Way Trail to Oviedo

The trail starts where the Cady Way Trail ends on Aloma Avenue (SR426) and follows SR426 through a mostly business area and under the SR417 expressway – watch out at the road crossings and driveways through this section. A bridge spans the very busy Red Bug Lake Road, and the trail continues a short way along Aloma Avenue before crossing the road. Here the trail moves away from the road and into more suburban neighborhoods, reaching downtown Oviedo, Florida (here is a shopping area with restaurants if desired). While in Oviedo, look for the famous Oviedo chickens, a remnant of the town's agricultural heritage.

> Oviedo to Winter Springs

In Oviedo, the trail continues at the intersection of SR434 and SR426 and enters a pleasant, shaded suburban section. The trail goes under the SR417 expressway again, before reaching the Black Hammock Trailhead, crosses a scenic trestle over Howell Creek, and continues through residential neighborhoods and over the bridge at SR434. From here, the trail goes through a pretty wooded area and arrives at Winter Springs Town Center (stores and restaurants), and past Winter Springs High School to Central Winds Park.

> Winter Springs to Longwood

From Central Winds Park, the trail goes along SR434 before leaving the roadway and crossing Gee Creek and to Layer Elementary School. Here is a "missing link" in the trail (construction to fill the gap is scheduled), go on the roadway to Old Sanford Road and down a dirt path before rejoining the trail along a power lines easement. A nice diversion is to visit Spring Hammock Preserve (ride the dirt road to the boardwalk to Lake Jessup) and the Environmental Studies Center. Cross SR419 to Soldiers Creek Park, ride through a quiet section of trail to another bridge, this over busy US17-92, and through a shaved section to Big Tree Park.

> Longwood to Lake Mary

Past Big Tree Park, the trail crosses SR427 (Ronald Reagan Blvd.) in Longwood, Florida and is more of a wide sidewalk as it follows Longwood-Lake Mary Road and Greenway Blvd. to Greenwood Lakes Park. Turning off the road and onto another power lines easement, the trail goes through a tunnel under Greenwood Blvd., and then along the roadway to the bridge at Lake Mary Blvd. and the Lake Mary Trailhead. The trail is un-shaded and urban along Rinehart Road, though there are frequent benches with fitness stations. A bridge over I-4 links to the Seminole-Wekiva Trail, and the Cross Seminole Trail continues to its end at SR46A.

Parking and Facilities

• Black Hammock Trailhead , SR434 at SR417 (exit 44) – parking, equestrian parking, restrooms, water
• Soldiers Creek Park, on SR419 about 0.7 mile south of US17-92- parking, equestrian parking, restrooms, water, athletic fields
• Central Winds Park, 1000 East SR434 in Winter Springs – parking, restrooms, picnic pavilions, playground, athletic fields, nature trail
• Big Tree Park on General Hutchinson Pkwy. about 0.25 miles east of SR427- parking, restrooms, picnic pavilions, playground
• Greenwood Lakes Park on Greenway Blvd. at Longwood / Lake Mary Road – parking, restrooms, playground, water
• Lake Mary Trailhead at the intersection of Lake Mary Blvd. and Rinehart Road – parking, restrooms, water, concession

A Worthwhile Trail

With diverse scenery, access to parks, shops and restaurants, and links to the Cady Way and Seminole-Wekiva Trails, the Cross Seminole Trail is an important part of Central Florida's trail network for recreation and fitness, and provides a transport alternative between neighborhoods and businesses.