West Orange Trail
We are located directly on the twenty-three mile long scenic West Orange Trail.
You can walk, jog, bike, skate, or even horseback ride through a mixture of rural and suburban landscapes. Bicycle and roller blade rentals are available from Winter Garden Wheel Works (across from the hotel), at West Orange Bike (one minute east of the hotel) or at the various stations located along the Trail. The West Orange Trail is a world-class Rail Trail, meaning that it was developed as a part of the Rails to Trails program in which discontinued railroad lines have been redesigned to serve as nature trails. The Edgewater is located near the mile marker five of the West Orange Trail. From here you have the choice to travel east toward Apopka or west to the Lake County line.
Traveling west, you will be passing through mostly country and pastoral scenery, once you leave Winter Garden. On your way to the Lake County line, you will pass through the small town of Oakland. Several buildings in this area date back to shortly past the turn of the 20th century, and they’re sure to give you a sense of old Florida.
A mile after the Oakland outpost, there is a xeriscape (butterfly garden), which is a highlight for many visitors along the West Orange Trail.
As you continue westward, you will find the entrance to the Oakland Nature Preserve. The Preserve features a wooden boardwalk that takes you into the deep reaches of Florida’s wetlands, ending at a covered pavilion on Lake Apopka. There are also two miles of hiking trails in the upland section of the Preserve. This is a must for anyone interested in the flora and fauna of the Florida landscape. The Preserve has gone through the pain-staking process of restoring the many acres of this region by removing the exotic plant species and planting only vegetation native to this area of Florida.
From here you have a nice ride, passing through areas of farmland as well as regions of newer development. There are some twists and inclines before you reach Killarney Station at the Lake County line where you can find restroom facilities and refreshments.
Heading east toward Apopka is a seventeen-mile stretch of the West Orange Trail. There is a playground and picnic area available at the Winter Garden Station (located a half mile from the Edgewater). Traveling toward Apopka, you will find the Clarcona Horseman’s Park, a forty acre public equestrian park where you can see local amateur horse shows and midget car races.
The Edgewater has served as a meeting point for the annual Catrike Rally for the last several years. Likewise, the West Orange Trail has served as the venue for many organized biking and skating events since its inception. A quick Internet search for the West Orange Trail and biking groups will usually provide information about an upcoming event.
Contact Us
99 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-6921
