Cycling in Mount Dora, Florida

Mount Dora is a historic, small-town city in Lake County of central Florida. Its lakefront location and mountain-top setting make it a perfect host to outdoor activities like cycling. This vibrant village city offers different trails and cultural events to choose from, including the annual Mount Dora Bike Festival. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy scenic views and lush forestry along their travels.

  1. Sugarloaf Mountain Challenge

    • Sugarloaf Mountain Challenge (no website; Sugarloaf Mountain Road, Clermont; 352-429-3673) is a bike trail well-known for its panoramic views of Lake Apopka, the largest lake in central Florida, among other smaller ones, from an elevation level of 310 feet.

      The trail's landscape runs from flatlands to rolling hills against a bountiful backdrop of citrus groves, grapefruit trees, ranch homes and marinas. Serene hilltop vistas form a gated community in this mountain region with stunning sunsets beside a nearby 30,000 acre lake. The Green Mountain Scenic Highway cutting through Sugar Loaf Mountain has been an Olympic training destination for its steep elevation levels.

    Astatula Hills Ramble

    • The Astatula Hills Ramble trail (no website; 12703 Florida Ave., Astatula; 352-253-4950) offers an activity-filled ride past some of the recognized parts of central Florida from horse, cattle and goat ranches to industrial parks, exclusive communities and the busy downtown regions. Twisting through six different lakes on two-lane roads with no bike lanes, riders should be extra mindful of all potential traffic hazards. Mount Dora's frequent antiques festival-goers add to the hectic traffic. But riders won't be able to resist this trail's exquisite views of the surrounding hill landscape.

    Mount Dora Bicycle Festival

    • The annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival (mountdora.com) draws a huge crowd of about 1,000 cyclists each year from varied cycling backgrounds including collegiate competitors, professionals and triathletes. Lake County is deemed one of the leading places to cycle in the world for its beautiful scenery and roads. Riders from all over the world make the visit each year to catch a glimpse of the land by taking part in various different races made for all skill levels.

    Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake

    • Alexander Springs (no website; 49525 County Road 445, Altoona; 352-669-3522) is among the largest springs in central Florida. It is where the northern loop of the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail begins. Its other half ends at the Clearwater Lake Recreation Area just a couple of miles from Mount Dora.

      This 22-mile track runs through the Ocala National Forest, which features hilly stretches of long-leaf pines, wet prairies, and live oaks at its southern part. It is also home to central Florida's reclaimed bear habitat. The track is the forest's only major mountain bike destination. This primarily shaded and moderately challenging trail is best for an early morning or late afternoon summertime ride.