West Orange Trail: The Ultimate Trail for an Inspiring Scenic Central Florida Bike Trip

The West Orange Trail is a gem you won’t want to miss when visiting Central Florida! This great multi-use bike trail spans over 20 miles, linking together the towns of Oakland and Winter Garden in the south to Apopka in the north. It’s paved the entire way (making for easy pedaling!) and is bordered by fantastic views and fun shops throughout the journey.

If you’ve heard rumors of this amazing trail but don’t know where to start planning your adventure, never fear! You’re in the right spot. We’ll make sure you’ve got all the necessary info so you can fully enjoy this phenomenal Central Florida biking trail!

In this post we’ll cover:

• Places to rent a bike
• Can’t miss stops
• Must-have gear

Let’s get started!

Bike Rentals Near the West Orange Trail

One of the best parts about the West Orange Trail is the ease with which you can get your hands on a quality rental bike. The best place to start your journey is in Winter Garden because it’s home to the world-famous Wheel Works bike shop! They’ve got a wide variety of bikes available to help personalize your experience.

Looking to put in minimal miles while riding in style? They’ve got you covered with several models of beach cruiser-style bikes! 

In need of something with a bit more back support? No worries! Be sure to reserve a recumbent bike to take on the trail in comfort.

What if you want to leisurely pedal to each scenic point with your partner on a bicycle built for two? Wheel Works has you covered with plenty of tandem bikes to choose from!

Be sure to visit their website to see all the models and availability for each bike before you plan on biking the West Orange Trail. While Wheel Works does take walk-up reservations, it’s best to play it safe and reserve your preferred style of bike ahead of time, that way you’re guaranteed to be riding the coolest bike on the trail!

Can’t Miss Stops on the West Orange Trail

West Orange Trail has garnered plenty of attention thanks to its beautiful scenery. However, with 20 miles of trail one way (wow!), you’ll likely want to prioritize your stops so you won’t miss any of the best ones! 

Starting in Winter Garden, be sure to take your time checking out the gorgeous downtown area after picking up your bike from Wheel Works. What used to be a sleepy part of Central Florida, downtown Winter Garden has really come alive in the last 23 years since the West Orange Trail was built. There are tons of shops and restaurants to visit, people to watch, and artful architecture to admire. 

Whether you decide to roam through downtown before or after your ride is completely up to you, but if you wanted to know what we’d do… Well, we’d encourage downtown explorations after your ride! There really isn’t anything better than a delicious cup of ice cream from Scoops Old-Fashioned Ice Cream after a bike ride! It’s a sweet reward for all of the leg work. The best part is that Scoops is a quick 3-minute walk from Wheel Works!

Or you can choose to get your ice cream first – we won’t judge! 

In either case, as you leave Winter Garden heading east on the West Orange Trail, you’ll travel from the urban feel of downtown to the friendly suburbs. The first stop you’ll find after pedaling 2 miles out of Winter Garden is Chapin Station.

Chapin Station is a great park, full of playgrounds, shady benches to rest on, as well as restrooms. As you look northwest, you’ll get a great view of Lake Apopka in the distance. Remember to take plenty of pictures while you’re there!

Continuing on down the trail, your next marked point will be Ingram Outpost. While this is mostly just a parking area, the 4 miles between Chapin Station and Ingram Outpost weave in and out of some of the most beautiful neighborhoods and golf courses in Central Florida! This section is simply lovely for getting lost in the good feelings of pedaling a bike through serene landscapes.

Don’t Forget to Bring These Items with You!

Now that bike rental and key stops are all figured out, let’s talk about some things you definitely want to bring with you. Each one will help ensure that you absolutely love your ride on the West Orange Trail!

• Sunscreen
• Bike Helmet
• Bottled Water
• Cellphone

While there are plenty of shady spots along the West Orange Trail, you’re definitely going to get plenty of sun. Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before your ride – and during your ride – to keep from getting burned. 

Always wear a bike helmet, regardless of the style of bike you choose to ride. There are many users on the trail, so you’ll want to be sure to protect the most vulnerable area of your body in case of any collisions!

Especially when riding in the summer, it’s important to have plenty of water on hand. Dehydration can train wreck your ride, so come prepared with a nice-sized bottle or thermos. #Protip: also pack a cooler in the car so you’ll have ice cold drinks after you’ve finished your ride!

Finally, your phone is paramount for safety. There can be many miles between access points on the West Orange Trail, which means that you’ll want to be able to quickly call for help in the event of an emergency. (Also, you might want your phone’s camera for snapping some great landscape shots to light up your Instagram feed.)

Happy Trails!

Alrighty! We’ve covered all of the basics for a successful adventure along the West Orange Trail! You’ve got a plan of where to rent your bike, where to stop, and which items you need to bring along with you. Now it’s time to go do it! 

Remember to take plenty of pictures and let us know how your trip went! Did you see something that we should add to our article? Let us know in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear about your ride!

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Photo: Unsplash

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