Cross Florida Greenway — CR 484 to 49th Avenue
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

This region of the Cross Florida Greenway is dominated by longleaf pine sandhill and sand pine scrub natural communities. The area is also site of an historic "digging." Remnants of the former canal project, these features are wide linear areas that were literally carved out of the landscape to create the canal. Today, they exist as reforested, small-scale valleys. Because the bottoms of "diggings" are comprised of clayey soils that hold moisture, they are dominated by loblolly pines that prefer wetter areas than longleaf or sand pines. In many areas, they also offer challenging terrain for trail goers.

Locator
Cross Florida Greenway - CR 484 to 49th Avenue Map

Click here for printer-friendly map and description (PDF 411 kb).

Major Activities Hiking Equestrian

Trail Length/Surface:
- unpaved hiking, Florida Trail, approximately 3.33 miles
- unpaved equestrian, approximately 5.43 total miles (3.28 miles for main trail and 2.15 miles for alternate trail)
Fee: None
Counties: Marion
Nearby Cities: Ocala

Notes:
The 49th Avenue Trailhead provides a hardened parking area, picnic pavilion, and non-potable water. Parking is also available for approximately 5 equestrian trailers.

Once at the trailhead, proceed on foot or by horse north and then west to 49th Avenue where an underpass provides a safe crossing. After 49th Avenue, follow trail markers. Trails in this region continue west to CR 484.

The hiking trail in this area is part of the Florida Trail, and is officially designated as Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST). It is considered to be moderate in difficulty. The Florida Trail Association produces a detailed hiking guide and segment-by-segment maps that are very useful for hiking the entire Florida Trail. For more information, visit their website at www.florida-trail.org.

The arrow symbol on the map indicates where connecting and loop trails continue elsewhere.

Access/Directions:
49th Avenue Trailhead
From I-75 south of Ocala, take Exit 341 (old Exit 67) to CR 484. Head west (toward Dunnellon) on CR 484 approximately 2.5 miles until you reach Marion Oaks Course (you will also see a sign for 49th Avenue). Take a right on Marion Oaks Course and follow it until you reach SW 49th Avenue. Turn right on SW 49th Avenue and proceed north for a very short distance. The trailhead is on the right.

Contact Information:
Office of Greenways and Trails
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway – Headquarters (Ocala) 352-236-7143
http://www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.org/cfg