Update on North Lake River to Hills Trail
The North Lake River to Hills Trail concept stretches from Clermont in the south to Astor in the north of Lake County, Florida. The North Lake River part of the name refers to a portion of the St. Johns River in northern Lake County. Hills refers to the Sugarloaf Mountain area in the south.
Trail Segments Making Progress
The North Lake River to Hills Trail is in various planning, design, and construction stages. The southern portion of the trail near Clermont is comprised of existing trails and trail connectors that are under construction. This includes the existing Hancock Trail, which is being extended to the north through the Sugarloaf Mountain area and on to the Green Mountain Trailhead, bringing it closer to Tavares. This segment should be finished by the end of 2025. This will also close a gap in the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Lake County and the cities of Tavares, Eustis, and Umatilla are working under an interlocal agreement for the segments that go from Umatilla to the south into downtown Eustis and downtown Tavares, where it will connect with the Wekiva Trail. The partners recently committed to funding a feasibility study to determine the best route. This study should be completed in 2026 and will pave the way for a future Project Development and Environment (PD & E) study and design of these segments. The segment of the trail from Umatilla heading north toward Ocala National Forest has completed its design stage and is going out for construction bids. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.
The PD & E study for the segment going through Ocala National Forest toward Astor has been completed and approved by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners and will now move into design.
Project Buoyed by Local and State Support
The North Lake River to Hills Trail is included in Lake County’s Master Plan, reflecting the community’s support. Recognizing the economic impact and recreational importance of trails, Lake 100 formed the Friends of Lake County Trails Committee to further support the trails that are represented in the county’s master plan. Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation Board Treasurer Mike Stephens serves as chair of the Friends of Lake County Trails Committee.
The north end of the North Lake River to Hills Trail connects with the Heart of Florida Loop regional trail. On the south end, it connects with the Coast-to-Coast Trail.
The Coast-to-Coast Trail stretching from St. Petersburg to Titusville is the top priority trail for the state under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan. The Heart of Florida Loop is the third priority trail for the state. The state funds the priority trails within the system plan through the Florida Department of Transportation SUN Trail program, which provides $50 million per year for trails.
Mike Stephens
In addition to his role on the FGTF Board and Friends of Lake County Trails, Mike Stephens also serves as chair for the Florida Greenways and Trails Council for the FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails. The Florida Greenways and Trails Council advises the Office of Greenways and Trails in setting the priority trails for the state, in addition to preparing the Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan, among other things.
The North Lake River to Hills Trail and the Wekiva Trail were added to the 2024-2028 Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan as priority trails, making them eligible for SUN Trail funding. Both projects aim to provide economic benefits to Lake County through tourism and retail traffic while promoting health and well-being for residents through outdoor recreation.
