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Withlacoochee State Forest - Croom Sec. Mountain Bike Trail
Brooksville, Florida
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
14 trail reviews |
|
Status: updated 8/14/08 by |
Difficulty:  Beginner |
| Length: 14 miles | Global Rank: #2205 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 56 | Wishlist: 37 |
| Avg. Speed: 6.44 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 32min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +2,174/-3,688 ft (based on partial GPS data) |
Directions
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Description: This trail is approximately 14 miles of unadulterated fun! Withalacoochee is a wonderful place for all levels of riders. This 14 mile loop is marked, but it is necessary to keep an eye out for trial markers due to many other unmarked trails in the area. This trail mainly consists of rolling single-track through widely spaced trees and brush. Hunting is allowed in the area during certain seasons.
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Description: This trail is approximately 14 miles of unadulterated fun! Withalacoochee is a wonderful place for all levels of riders. This 14 mile loop is marked, but it is necessary to keep an eye out for trial markers due to many other unmarked trails in the area. This trail mainly consists of rolling single-track through widely spaced trees and brush. Hunting is allowed in the area during certain seasons.
added in 2003 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve in Tampa
Alafia River State Park in Brandon
Loyce E. Harpe Park (carter Road) in Lakeland
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by Desi1211 on March 18, 2012
Mostly stayed on the beginner trails. We had the dog and we were heading to a state park for camping. Only did about twelve miles. Peaceful a lot of u and down hills. Were looking forward to going back for the intermediate courses
reviewed by bikerjoe_165 on November 29, 2011
Rode the yellow 12 mile loop 11/22/11 well marked got on at Tucker Hill @the fire tower on Croom rd a little sugar sand but not bad very scenic nxt time ill ride the 32 mile blue trail it has big lime pits to ride through
Similar Trail: im from NC nothing like it here
reviewed by reif-s on February 20, 2010
Rode the Croom 35 mile Challenge. I felt like there were a fair share of gradual climbs which made a long distance endurance race challenging. Some of the technical areas were surprising, as you would ride for long periods with nothing but cross-country trails and then all-of-a-sudden - here's a major gully. I enjoyed it, but don't ride it alone because this is out in the middle of nowhere. Also, alot of signs of ATV's and hunters...
reviewed by Phlip44 on October 15, 2009
Lonely and sandy. Not a lot of people go here it is so far out of the way which has it's pros and cons. Pro's being quiet enjoyable deep Florida woods. Con's are that the trails don't get run enough so they are getting hard to follow in certain areas and the spiders, these huge fricken banana spiders (I'm reading that the North American version is not poisonous enough to hurt humans), keep building webs across the paths, not so fun. Also, the sand can make some parts miserable, just completely saps all your energy. Lots and lots of sand. Some interesting parts around what I guess are old phosphate mines and mounds. Very pretty deep woods but something that disturbs me is complete lack of any wildlife what-so-ever. I think i saw a squirrel and 1 armadillo last time I went for 4 hours. Just eerie quiet, devoid of life (except for the spiders). I guess the hunters have completely wiped the place out or it wasn't a good time of year, pretty sad actually, all that space and no wildlife.* Review edited 10/15/2009* Review edited 10/15/2009* Review edited 10/15/2009
* Review edited 10/15/2009
Similar Trail: Santos
reviewed by rich67 on August 21, 2009
A pleasant surprise. I rode the "yellow" trail today, aka: Tucker Hill Trailhead. It costs two dollars to ride from this area, paid via a convenient pay box near the ranger's station. The trail was fun and tight, nothing too crazy. Surprisingly good cardio workout due to the natural rolling terrain. Be careful around the north side of the yellow trail, the signs and trail are not marked too well- I ended up backtracking and coming back out on the main road- have no idea where I got turned around! LOL Bring a map with you, and a GPS if you have one- it can get a little confusing on the trail without one. Some areas of sugar sand, but not unrideable. I ate three large banana spiderwebs, almost ran over a snake of some sort, and got pelted with bugs galore. Just another fun day out on the trail. I'll definitely come back here; it's closer to me than Santos, and offers a similar riding experience. I was happy with some of the downhill sections, it was a pleasant surprise to have some of those in Florida. ADDED 11/2/10: Rode out to Drunken Monkey which is off the rail trail. Getting there was a royal PITA. Sand was terrible, poor signage, and just really boring riding. Drunken monkey was OK, but it really doesn't hold a candle to any of the other trails I have been on close by. Do yourself a favor and stick with Santos, Boyette and Alafia. I slipped out onto the rail trail and rode the paved section back to my car it was that bad.
* Review edited 11/2/2010
Similar Trail: Alafia, Santos, Boyette
reviewed by darrinw2001 on May 31, 2009
One of the FEW trail systems in Florida with REAL hills. Lots of miles with elevation changes, some fun pits areas, but it does get sandy in the dry season. They have seperate horse and hiking trails so the bikes dont have to share. The best time to ride here is May through September. Trails are closed during Deer hunting season.
Similar Trail: Santos, Paisley Woods Trail
reviewed by darrinw2001 on May 30, 2009
Rolling hills, lots of wildlife, can get sandy during the dry season, but is a very cool place to ride from may to September. This is the Yellow loop that is about 12 miles, they have another Blue loop that is 32 mils and a couple connector trails that are about 5 miles.
reviewed by darrinw2001 on May 29, 2009
14 miles???? This trail system has over 50 miles of sweet singletrack with rolling hills, twisty turns, and even some really fun pits areas with jumps. Lots of wildlife and solitude out here and camping is close by. It does get sandy during the dry season, but so does every other trail in Florida.
* Review edited 5/29/2009
Similar Trail: Santos, Alafia
reviewed by guest on August 14, 2008
Great for beginners, but nothing that spectacular! Good singletrack.
* Review edited 8/14/2008
Similar Trail: Too many to post, but Alafai & Santos are the bomb!
reviewed by brooke3 on March 6, 2007
This was the first off-road trail I ever rode and was immediately hooked! Great for beginners, plus you can ride over 30 miles here if you want. A few memorable spots here, and a fun, easy ride.
reviewed by dlnelson15 on January 23, 2007
This trail isn't in Orlando but in Brooksville. I rode about 23 miles of it on 21 Jan 07 and it is a very sandy and grueling single track. Take plenty of water and a snack or two as there aren't many places to bail out.
Similar Trail: Boyette Nature Preserve
reviewed by ositoking on September 23, 2006
The Croom Tract also contains hiking trails and horse trails. Hikers may walk on horse or off-road bicycle trails and you may encounter hikers or equestrians at trailheads and trail crossings. Please be courteous to hikers and horseback riders. Allow hikers and riders to pas you on trails designated for them. Step off the trail and downhill from passing horses. Stand quietly and listen for instructions from the rider.
reviewed by dashreeve on May 4, 2006
It's not in Orlando, actually right by Brookesville. Went on a Monday (took off work!!) and had a blast. Felt a little longer than the 12 miles listed at the trail, maybe 14 is more accurate. There is also a 35 mile loop and several connector loops. Found a big clay pit at the end of one connector loop, had some fun there. great single track without any real technical stuff. Just a fun, clean, good ride / workout.
Similar Trail: No other trail this long and easy that I know of.
reviewed by jackthelab on February 19, 2006
I rode it on 2/19/2006 and it was really sandy and I would give it a fun factor of a low/medium. On a positive note, there are some sections where it's possible to get some speed but it's like riding from the beach to the trail, beach to the trail ...
Similar Trail: As previously stated, anyone in central Florida should go to Santos.
