You are here > Home > Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
Top 10... Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail
Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail (State Park Trail) stretches 16 miles from the City of Gainesville's Boulware Springs Park through the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area and ends in the small town of Hawthorne. Wooded and quiet, there are even are some winding hills to challenge you! There are several hiking trails leading from the bike trail. A paved spur leads to a scenic Paynes Prairie overlook. (More photos below.)
Note: On Google Maps, the Gainesville-Hawthorne "State Park" Trail is the paved bicycle trail, while the Gainesville-Hawthorne "State" Trail is an unpaved hiking trail looping south of the bike trail. (In fact, all State maintained rail-trails are now "Linear State Parks.")
|
View Larger Map |
Mileage: 16 miles Surface: Asphalt, 10' Location: Gainesville, Alachua County Trailheads: 300 SE 15th Street in Gainesville, at Boulware Springs City Park; 7902 SE 200th Drive, off of CR 2082 west of Hawthorne; 2182 SE 71st Avenue in Hawthorne Nearby Points of Interest: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, University of Florida, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park (Cross Creek) |
THE BEST TRAIL SECTIONS TO RIDE... and additional comments by MUDFISH
I recommend the western half of the trail, from Boulware Springs City Park to CR 325 (about 7.7 miles).
This half includes a short section of hills and turns, a 0.7 mi. spur to Payne's Prairie Overlook, and entrances to some popular hiking trails. It also contains the shadiest parts of the trail and little road noise. A very short portion runs adjacent to busy Rte 20, but the trail soon veers south along seldom-used CR 2082 (the old Hawthorne road), a swampy area and one of the prettiest sections of the trail.
The second half of the trail to the 'old Florida' railroad town of Hawthorne is a pleasant, tree-lined ride. However, it is also flat, non-descript, and the grassy right-of-way is wide, so the trees provide very little shade. The trailhead at Hawthorne is rarely used and sometimes overgrown. It's about two blocks east to the old "downtown," bypassed years ago by Rte. 301, another couple of blocks east. There are some interesting sights here. Check out the tiny Hawthorne Historical Museum (pictured below), a local labor of love.
BOBCAT'S PHOTO GALLERY along the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail (hover over photo for larger view)
| Gainesville Trailhead Parking and facilities are located in the former Water Works Building at Boulware Springs -- Gainesville's original water supply. |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Hammock and Big Sink | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Paynes Prairie - Alachua Lake Overlook spur | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Lochloosa Trailhead - Prairie Creek Preserve | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Hawthorne Trailhead | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Hawthorne Historical Museum |
|||
More information on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail (opens in a new window):
- Florida Greenways & Trails-Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail map and trailhead directions
- Florida States Parks-Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail information
Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - a Top Florida Bike Trail for Recreation and Fitness.