cross florida greenway - withlacoochee bay trail

I started out in the middle of the trail and turned east so that I was heading back towards the trail head. My plan was to hike up the hill to the end, turn around and have lunch, use the facilities at the head of the trail on my way back. Started out walking into the sun and the breeze so that it was at my back (helped push me along) on my return trip when I was tired. LOL All kidding aside, it was a great place to go solo because there are a lot of other people out using the trail for walking and biking. For the majority of the walk I was able to stay on the shoulder (easier on the knees) and off the paved trail. Lots to see along the way. I could have gone off the main trail and hiked the birding trails but chose to stay around others. Hiking the whole paved trail is just over 11 miles.

This is a flat, smooth trail running along the canal for five miles with some potential stops along the way. At the end there is a nice view of the gulf. It is also possible to drive in on a parallel dirt road and kayak from the trail.

Paved trail to the gulf, just off HWY 19 before the bridge over to Inglis. Covered fishing areas on the barge canal. Trail is great for biking, but only in cooler months because the yellow flies are horrendous!

This five mile paved bicycle trail is about nine miles from downtown Crystal River on Hwy 19 N. Just before approaching the bridge over the canal, turn left. The first time we parked near the bridge and road half the trail to where the bathrooms are located. The second time we drove down a dirt road to the bathroom and and parked in that parking lot and rode to the Gulf scenic overlook. We saw dolphins, osprey, and four pink birds. There is a covered overlook area with a large picnic table at the Gulf, as well as different spots along the way to stop and sit on covered benches near the water. From the bridge, there is also an equestrian access.