Southeast - The Van Fleet State Trail in Polk County Florida

I visited this paved trail on 10-12-11. The best trailhead here is Green Pond off Highway 33 in Polk City. The trailheads are Polk City, Green Pond, Bay Lake, and Mabel. I would not recommend Polk City trailhead. At all. See more photos on my website at: http://www.trailviewmount.com

Thanks for the pics. Why wouldn't you recommmend the Polk City trailhead?

Car was broken into before 8:30am the day I stopped at the trailhead for directions to Green Pond trailhead. Man told me it happens a lot. Apparently skateboarders have a practice course here and the surrounding area is lower income. Just facts.

When I was down, we parked in Mable and did an out & back.

BTW - it looked like the trail went further south, but we were running out of daylight. Does anyone know how much further the trail extends?

Yes the Gen. Van Fleet State Trail goes south and connects into the 5.5 mile Auburndale Teco Trail. At the southern end of this trail there is an observation area where you can watch bald eagles. I have not biked here yet but hope to soon. For more Florida paved trail info and photos visit my website: http://www.trailviewmount.com Thanks for seeing.

My .02 this is the most boring trail...long straight line with one "kink" bend!If you're in the area its an ok trail,not worth the long drive otherwise...I'd recommend the Withlacoochee over Van Fleet...

My .02 this is the most boring trail...long straight line with one "kink" bend!If you're in the area its an ok trail,not worth the long drive otherwise...I'd recommend the Withlacoochee over Van Fleet...

I agree. My husband and I did that trail a few years back. The Withlacoochee is much more enjoyable and at least closer for us. I guess if you live down that way, it's better than anything around.

I've never ridden the Van Fleet but have ridden the Withlacoochee and I'm sorry but I wasn't impressed with it and it was boring to me. Also, there's a bridge you need to cross that was gravel instead of being paved. I didn't understand that. So, it's very bad for road bikes trying to get over that bridge. Maybe that's changed but it was only a few months ago I rode it so I doubt that's changed.

The Van Fleet is a nice trail, with a good surface that runs long and straight through the woods and across the Great Green Swamp. The trees along the trail form a canopy over the trail and I once chased a Great Blue Heron for two miles along the trail. The bird was on a corner post of one of the bridges, and would take off and fly ahead of me, then light and wait for me to catch up. Because of the tree canopy, it didn't fly up away, but along the trail again and again. If you are someone who enjoys the woods, this is a nice trail to ride. I second the statement about the Polk City trail head. I was there for a major event, and with lots of people around, so we had no problems with the area, but a fellow I work with is from Polk City and he warned me away from the parking area. Seems that the area has problems with Meth/Speed and the resulting higher crime rate.

Tractor Tom from Okeechobee, FL