Office of Greenways and Trails
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Headquarters
(Ocala) 352-236-7143
DAY RIDE
Stretching
from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie
Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the
land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This
110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats
and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where
visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.
The
Land Bridge Trailhead was completed in 2001, providing a
brand new access point to reach the Cross Florida Greenway
Land Bridge. The Land Bridge was completed in 2000, providing
a permanent trail connection across Interstate 75 and making
safe passage for hikers, equestrians and bicyclists a reality.
This project was developed and constructed in coordination
with the Florida Department of Transportation and was funded
through Federal Department of Transportation gas tax revenues
that are earmarked for non-motorized transportation enhancements.
The bridge is fully landscaped with native Florida vegetation.
The quickest access to the Land Bridge is via the hiking,
equestrian and biking trails indicated on the map. For a
driver's viewpoint of the Land Bridge, drive on I-75, south
of Exit 350 (SR 200, Ocala) and north of Exit 341 (CR 484,
Belleview). Drivers are advised to not stop along the Interstate
except for an emergency. Tell
me more about the Land Bridge...
Trail
Length/Surface:
Primary trails from trailhead to Land Bridge
- unpaved hiking, Florida National Scenic Trail, approximately 1
mile
- unpaved equestrian, approximately 1.5 miles
- unpaved mountain biking, approximately 2.5 miles (mileage can
be shorter depending upon route taken)
Fee: None
Counties: Marion
Nearby Cities: Ocala, Belleview
Notes:
The Land Bridge Trailhead provides paved parking, restroom facilities,
picnic area, and potable water. A dedicated equestrian parking area
and horse wash-down area are also available.
Please
note that trails indicated on the map are the primary hiking, equestrian,
and biking connector trails to reach the Land Bridge from the trailhead.
The arrow symbol indicates where connecting and loop trails continue
elsewhere. The Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) is presently
in the process of reviewing trails in this area and is working with
user groups to determine the best possible future trail alignments.
West
of the Land Bridge, hiking, equestrian and biking trails continue
to the 49th Avenue Trailhead. See the corresponding map for exact
trail locations.
The
hiking trail delineated on the map is part of the Florida Trail,
and the orange blazed portion is officially designated as Florida
National Scenic Trail (FNST). Blue blazes mark the hiking loop trail
that heads south just east of the land bridge and eventually returns
north to the trailhead. There is a resting bench midway along this
1.75 mile loop. The hiking trail on this map is just one segment
of the Florida Trail. The Florida Trail Association produces a detailed
hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps that are very useful for
hiking any segment of the Florida Trail. For more information, visit
their website at www.florida-trail.org.
The
biking trail is single track in most areas, but in some locations,
utilizes the double-track wagon trail.
The equestrian trail continues east across CR 475A to the Horse
Park area which offers additional equestrian trails.
Access/Directions:
Land Bridge Trailhead (CR 475A)
From I-75 south of Ocala, take Exit 341 (old Exit 67) to CR 484.
Head east on CR 484 toward Belleview. In about a quarter mile, you
will come to the intersection with CR 475A. Take a left and proceed
on 475A for approximately 2 miles until you reach the trailhead
on the left.
http://www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.org/cfg