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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	35 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 10/12/09 by ositoking Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 14 miles	Global Rank: 6
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Network
Ridden: 170	Wishlist: 89
Avg. Speed: 6.57 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 54min
IMBA Epic Trail

 

Razorback in Reddick (Ocala)

 

Markham Park in Sunrise

 

Santos in Ocala

 

Oleta State Park in Miami

 

  
reviewed by Mattgarrett on January 30, 2010

One of my all time favorite trails. this trail is perfect for cyclists of all levels. There are miles upon miles of fun single track, from easy pine flats to agrressive rocky uphill technical challenges.

Similar Trail: Santos in ocala

  
reviewed by reif-s on November 26, 2009

The absolute the best in Florida! Amazing terrain and housekeeping! Variety of challenges for all levels and just an awesome place. An absolute jewel!!!

  
reviewed by GoKite5 on November 24, 2009

Great variety and park amenities. Good for beginner to expert. Top trail in FL along with Santos.

  
reviewed by nickbj05 on September 11, 2009

Alafia River State Park is a great trail system for everyone from beginners to expert riders. The park has nice facilities with pavilions, restrooms, shower, and a bike wash. Beginners looking to gain skills should look into riding North Creek. Intermediate riders will love Bridges and Roller Coaster. Advanced riders looking for steep climbs and descents with switchbacks need to check out Gatorback and Moonscape. There are also a lot of little off shoot trails like Rabbit Ears that are short fast paced trails through the woods with some technical obstacles. The trails are not as smooth or fast rolling as Boyette, but offer more technical terrain. Most trails are one-way singletrack. I really enjoy this trail.

* Review edited 9/11/2009

Similar Trail: Loyce-Harpe (Carter Road) and Balm Boyette

  
reviewed by JSurratt on June 20, 2009

Alafia River State Park is a network of trails.....easy trails consist of River Loop & Sand Pine, Intermediate Trails consist of Bridges, North Creek & Rock Garden, Difficult Trails consist of Rabbit Ears & Roller Coaster, Very Difficult Trails consist of Gatorback & Moonscape. Today the heat index was over 105 degrees and we were out there on Gatorback, Bridges, North Creek (twice rode), Roller Coaster & Rabbit Ears.......had a blast today!

Similar Trail: Loyce E. Harpe Park on Carter Road in Lakeland, FL.

  
reviewed by JSurratt on June 3, 2009

I rode the Alafia Green River trail & Alafia Rock Garden trail. Not too difficult to ride, but a lot of fun......started at 6pm and ran out of daylight.

* Review edited 6/3/2009

Similar Trail: Carter Road-Loyce E. Harpe Park in Lakeland, Florida

  
reviewed by Floridadan on May 4, 2009

Loved it. Road it today and it was awesome. Nice park Something for everyone. If you miss this you miss some of the best we have in Florida.

Similar Trail: Markham

  
reviewed by Devin_P on April 18, 2009

Alafia is an excellent trail system well desrving of its EPIC status. Great trails with alot of twists, turns, climbs, and descents. Pretty scenery through palm frond "forests", swamp land, hills, and ridgelines. The roots can be challenging/annoying at times but are rideable. North Creek and Rollercoaster are my favorites with Bridges and Gatorback close behind. Rabbit Ears are three short loops but worth the ride. Moonscape is cool and offers what is probably the most difficult terrain in the park. I ride a hardtail and was able to ride everything I came to. There are hundreds of pics posted of the trails and as usual they hardly do it justice. You just have to go check them out for yourself..... The Park is nice and has excellent facilities including bathrooms with full electric and plumbing, a bike wash, and vending machines for after ride snack. There are several picnic benches and a playground for kids.

* Review edited 4/18/2009

Similar Trail: Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve

  
reviewed by cujo on April 11, 2009

Awesome trails. Swamp Club does a good job building and maintaining these trails. Something for everyone.

Similar Trail: Carter, Boyette, & Santos.

  
reviewed by Pschmoling on February 26, 2009

Good trail. Lots of ups and downs and fun stuff like that. I thought the trail was a little weathered and there were a lot of things on some trails that made the running not too smooth (ie roots rocks sand)... I rode it a while ago in january so I hope it got cleaned up because then it would be sweet! I like the citrus trees around too. Be careful with directions! Its not too hard to find too, but i got lost for a minute.

* Review edited 2/26/2009

  
reviewed by bblais on February 9, 2009

I ride a lot in Texas and visited the Tampa area recently. I had an unexpected surprise with Alafia. I did not expect to find such a fine trail in Florida. I for one did not associate Florida with mountain biking, but I do now. Hats off to SWAMP for a job well done.

* Review edited 2/9/2009

  
reviewed by Tranceman on October 27, 2008

I ride Alafia twice a week and still have not gotten tired of it. It is also well worth the trip if your not a local. The parking lot is never far away which helps when you bike breaks down. The trails are maintained by the local mtb club. Not a lot of miles here but you can string several trails together and have a good half day trip. I'm so thankful we have a great trail like this right in my own back yard! You won't think your in Florida.

Similar Trail: Santos, Boyette, Carter rd

  
reviewed by ChiliPepper on September 29, 2008

Rode their this weekend and it is still the #1 MTB park in FL alongside Santos. Awesome ride by all standards and just cannot get enough of this MTB park.

Similar Trail: Santos, Balm Boyette, Gran Canyon, Carter

  
reviewed by ChiliPepper on August 14, 2008

This IMBA MTB trail network rocks! Definately a very epic ride here, no matter which trail you ride. I go here at least four times or better a year, and would every weekend but I live over on the East Coast. Awesome drops, ups & downs, jumps, down hill, bridges, and a lot of speed. Pretty much by all means something for everyone! I love it here and my favorite trails are "Rabbit Ears", "North Creek", and "Rollercoaster". The last couple times I was there, "Gatorback" was closed.

Similar Trail: Too many to post, but Alafia & Santos is the bomb! If in Palm Bay, FL, try the Shoreline "Fruit Tree Trail",

  
reviewed by rich67 on July 5, 2008

Very nicely laid out with some fun riding. This was my first time out on a mountain bike on something other than pavement, so some of the crazier stuff was not on my agenda. Still, the facilities and park layout were excellent, thanks to SWAMP.

Similar Trail: Santos

  
reviewed by ositoking on June 23, 2008

Alafia River State Park # 1 in Florida

Similar Trail: Markham Park

  
reviewed by Phlip44 on March 21, 2008

Finally finished the place, uhg, exhausted. Gatorback is my fav, with brides and rollercoaster 2nd. Moonscape is a freakin ball buster with some insane drops and climbs and very easy to get lost. Most of river was closed due to mud and swamp getting a little too high from the recent rain. The variety here is amazing, the riders great, and the workout intense. Bring water if you can, the trails run deep and there are no fountains, even the main fountains at the trail head were out...Highly recommend a full suspension bike, unless you like your balls pushed in 1/2 a foot.

Similar Trail: Morris Creek

  
reviewed by Phlip44 on February 19, 2008

This place rocks. It is far enough away from everything else it is rarely crowded. Great riding the different style loops, tracks were all in good shape, great scenery around what is left of the river. The roots do get a little tough with a solid framed bike (trek 950) but nothing I couldn't handle. haven't gotten to the technical parts yet, going back to do that soon. Did about 5-10 miles and was completely exhausted. Probably should be wearing protection when doing anything tougher than novice, there were definitely some hairy parts.* Review edited 2/19/2008

* Review edited 2/19/2008

Similar Trail: Tampa and central Florida tracks

  
reviewed by ositoking on February 11, 2008

I rode this trail yesterday. After Razorback closed, this has been the greatest park in Florida. North Creek trail has a new advanced extension. All the other trails are great and in good condition.

Similar Trail: Markham park

  
reviewed by DieselMike on February 10, 2008

Absolutely everything I expected and more. Great selection of trails from beginner to highly skilled. Great facilities and an overall beautiful place. Very polite riders (even the hardcore dudes) and even sat and watched 2 unicycle riders (that's right, I said unicycle... uno wheelo!) riding one of the intermediate trails and then headed for the double black diamond trails. I hope they made it out safely. I would suggest the Sand Pine trail over the River Loop for beginners. The River Loop is heavily rooted and can turn into an unenjoyable ride after 3 miles of such bumpy terrain. Beware: At the end of The Bridges trail, which is intermediate, there is a small sign that gives two options: easier way and more difficult. Well, the more difficult way is actually a short trail rated black diamond. I'm an intermediate rider and just about pee peed my shorts on that thing. Good thing for padded shorts. Anyway, this place is fantastic and I can't wait to go back when I've got more skills and better nerves because I'd like to see the advanced trails without getting thrown from my saddle too many times. I still can't believe those 2 unicycle dudes! Siiiiiiiick!

Similar Trail: None that I've seen yet.

  
reviewed by mindlessphilosophy on December 31, 2007

A lot of fun. Wish I could get out there to ride it more often. Its definitely worth the drive.

  
reviewed by ositoking on September 30, 2007

This park offers some of the most challenging off-road bicycling trails in Florida. Once the site of a phosphate mine, the reclaimed land has unique topography that offers some of the most radical elevation changes in Florida.

Similar Trail: Razorback,Markham,Santos

  
reviewed by 41ants on August 8, 2007

Growing up in FL and spending alot of time in South Florida this is probably better park in the area. Very happy I moved out of S FL and now have this in my back yard. Several trails which are very close to the parking area which makes its nice and enjoyable for families & groups of varying skill leveles. This park has something for everyone from the most skilled riders to the beginners.

Similar Trail: Santos

  
reviewed by oohsh_t on August 6, 2007

I just finish the last sections, Gatorback, A couple of short advanced loops off rock garden, Finally finishing off at Sand Pine... Gatorback is beautiful and brutal! The 2 advanced sections off Rock Garden were perfect for my sub-superhuman abilitys, Sand Pine was fun! The temp on the trail was 93 F. and very humid, Moving quickly and effortlessly down Sand Pine made for a great cool down. - Sand Pine sent me home with 2 bruised shoulders from ricocheting off trees in a single track fast section that opens into a cluster of 6" diameter pines with 4 options to get through... I was moving fast, tired and didn't decide my line fast enough... wasn't pretty. Had a great time!

Similar Trail: Tsali, Thompson loop - Short but fun

  
reviewed by Dippy1584 on May 25, 2007

this place is great rode there the other day with swamp club had a blast they are some great people to ride with. North Creek is one of the best flowing trails in the park or in centerl fl. love this place

Similar Trail: Carter road Balm Boyette

  
reviewed by papercityhustler on May 7, 2007

This trail rocks! I ride here once a week and will continue to drive for 40 minutes every week to ride here. Very good flow to the more advanced trails.

Similar Trail: SANTOS is great but they are so different from each other.

  
reviewed by pyrophly on April 15, 2007

I agree w/ the last two entries. This is a great trail & the Swamp club does a nice job of maintaining this trail system. This park has something for every riding level. Something that other parks cannot boast. This IS worth the drive!

Similar Trail: The T.O.E.

  
reviewed by BMURPHY on April 15, 2007

After months at Oleta and Markham this seemed easy and fast. Swamp Club keeps it real nice maintained with a lot less roots and rocks than So Fl trails. Definitely a reccomend for this one.

Similar Trail: Balm Boyette

  
reviewed by Major813 on February 19, 2007

One of the Best in Florida....I love it ! This trail has a good mix...the most difficult trails are Gatorback (just reopened as of 02/02/07) and Moonscape. My favorites are Roller Coaster, Bridges and the Advanced portion of Rock Garden. Also North Creek is my Warm up Trail. I don't really care much for Sand Pine or the beginner portion of Rock Garden. I do think this park is totally beautiful and the Swamp Club does a great job maintaining the trails. * Review edited 2/19/2007

* Review edited 2/19/2007

Similar Trail: Carter Rd and Oleta

  
reviewed by rocketbracket on October 26, 2006

you will find trail for yourself in Alafia. my fave was moonscape and rollercoaster and that brand new trail they just finished building that i forgot the name. Sand Pine trail is really smooth and fast switchback. i hit 12 to 14mph on it. trails are somewhat easy to find and well marked. i got bored a little at the rock garden and river. i had to walk down some of those double diamond drops since my skill level and my hardtail were not up that level yet. my hat off to people that build Alafia trails. really great job.

Similar Trail: santos, razorback

  
reviewed by ositoking on August 27, 2006

I came here last weekend on the 20th. Good news everyone..they opened up a new trail! It is about 3 miles long and it is a sweet singletrack with a couple of bridges. Some trails are closed due to the raining season.

  
reviewed by dashreeve on May 8, 2006

I was there May 6th and rode most of the loops. The club down there definitely keeps on top of the trails, well maintained and marked in all but a few places. Some type of endurance event was going on so it was pretty crowded. Several spots were too sandy, but it would be a difficult task to haul something to pack some of these areas. Rode the 2 easy loops, 2 intermediate loops, then rollercoaster and moonscape (considered difficult and more difficult repectively). I'm far from an expert and don't agree completely with the difficulty ratings of these trails. I found the trails marked difficult to be more enjoyable than the others, and I would think most any intermediate rider would get through rollercoaster fine. The intermediate trails are a root fest, which got annoying after some time. I'll be heading out on the first saturday of the month to help these guys with maintaining these trails, really appreciate the hard work from clubs like SWAMP.

Similar Trail: Carter road has similar difficult portions, Croom has similar (but better) easy trails.

  
reviewed by ositoking on January 15, 2006

I was here today and the trail is in great condition. It was very dry enough. There were plenty of riders. I wish to invite all mountain bikers to come to ride one of the best trails in Florida.

  
reviewed by ositoking on October 8, 2005

Best for all riding levels.

Similar Trail: Razorback in Ocala, FL

  
reviewed by Adventurecycling on January 13, 2005

Parts of the trails were closed during the summer, but all is open now.

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