Overview

From the Pruitt Trailhead, the FT heads in a northeasterly direction, paralleling the north side of the canal route. You’ll face some rugged walking, including a major switchback and several minor ones, as the trail winds along forested mounds of dirt left behind from the canal diggings. There are several opportunities for scenic views across the remains of the canal, both before and after the SR 200 crossing.

At I-75, the FT joins up with bike and equestrian trails to cross the first land bridge ever built in the United States. On the eastern side of the bridge, the trails diverge again. A loop trail provides day hiker access to the land bridge; the through-trail follows the northern side of the loop.

East of the Land Bridge trailhead, the trail continues across a mix of old ranches and young forest, crossing several paved roads as it passes through the horse-farming region of Ocala. At Santos, the trail crosses busy US 27/301/441 with a pause on a forested center island under a set of historic bridge piers. A short roadwalk through the historic African-American community of Santos leads to the next unbroken segment of trail through shady oak forests up to the Baseline Trailhead.

Map

The northern end of this section is at the Baseline Trailhead, located on Baseline Rd (SR 35) just north of CR 464. The southern end is at the intersection of the Withlacoochee State Trail with CR 491, SE of Dunnellon and Citrus Springs.

 Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey. 

Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc.

Trailheads

There are trailheads with parking and restroom facilities at Pruitt (CR 484), Ross Prairie (SR 200), SW 49th Ave, CR 475A (aka the Land Bridge Trailhead), Santos (SW 80th Ave), and Baseline Road (CR 35).

Features

Gateway Communities

History

Land Bridge over I-75
Barge Canal diggings   

Conditions

 From CR 491 to the Pruitt Trailhead the trail follows a paved bicycle path and roads. Hiking on the Cross Florida Greenway is across gently rolling terrain through live oak hammocks and scrub oak and pine forests. The trail is crossed by mountain bicycle and horse trails, but each user group has built their own trails within the Greenway corridor. Additional hiking trail is being developed to the west of the existing trail. 

Precautions

Be cautious on the US 41 / CR 484 roadwalk through Dunnellon and at all road crossings, especially those on SR 200, CR 484, and US 441, where motorists drive at high speeds and do not expect to encounter hikers crossing the road, despite warning signs. 

Restrictions

Camping is allowed at designated campsites and campgrounds only. Four on-trail campsites are currently available with more planned. Fires are allowed only in established fire rings. FTA members may use the designated campsites without permit. For all others, overnight camping on the Cross Florida Greenway is by permit only A camping permit (no fee) may be obtained from the Office of Greenways and Trails, 8282 E Hwy 314, Ocala,FL 34470, 352-236-7143. 

Resources

The Florida Trail: The Official Hiking Guide

Florida Trail Companion Guide for Long Distance Hikers

Map 25/26 Cross Florida Greenway East & West

City of  Dunnellon

Cross Florida Greenway

Marion County Visitor’s Center