Ferndale Preserve

View of Lake Apopka [view slides]

Along Lake Apopka’s western shore, Ferndale Preserve offers some of the finest panorama views of the largest lake in Central Florida. A restoration area that was, in the not too recent past, a working orange grove, it’s pretty rough around the edges, with little shade and deep soft sand along the trail system. The views, however, make this one worth a ramble, and you’ll find something here that I haven’t found anywhere else in the region: an elevation change of 112 feet in half a mile.

Resources

Overview

Location: Ferndale
Length: 2.1 miles
Lat-Long: 28.625886,-81.700286
Type: loop
Fees / Permits: free
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Bug factor: moderate
Restroom: at the trailhead

Open Wed-Sun. Trails are shared in part with off-road bicyclists and equestrians. There is extremely limited shade, so use sun protection.

Ferndale Preserve website

Directions

From Florida’s Turnpike, take the SR 50 (Clermont / Winter Garden) exit and head 1.3 miles on SR 50 towards Clermont. Turn right on Lake Blvd, which quickly reaches CR 438 (Old SR 50). Turn left. After 1.9 miles, the road becomes CR 455. Follow it 3.3 miles, driving through Monteverde, where it makes a sharp left after you pass through town. The preserve entrance is on your right after you enter Ferndale.

Mileage

0.0	parking area
0.2	trail junction at hilltop
0.5	trail junction
0.7	trail junction
1.2	junction near old building
1.4	junction horse trail
1.8	trail junction
2.0	junction horse trail
2.1	parking area