Santos MTB Trails: Florida’s Best Mountain Biking
Welcome to Santos Trailhead—a mountain biking mecca in Ocala, Florida. Part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Santos boasts over 80 miles of singletrack trails for every rider. Whether you’re cruising easy, grassy loops or charging rocky climbs and steep drops, Santos has it all. Get outside and get your mountain on.
Santos Trail in Ocala ranks among the top trail systems in Florida and the entire Southeast. Built in 1993 on the site of a former rock quarry, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) has spent decades shaping and maintaining this one-of-a-kind trail network. With trails for beginners to experts, Santos earned the prestigious “Epic Ride” designation from IMBA in 2006—one of only three trails in the U.S. to receive the honor that year.
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Trails at Santos MTB Park Ocala FL
The trails at Santos are color-coded and designed for all skill levels. Beginners can start with the Pine Tree Trail for an easy intro. Intermediate riders can take on the Sinkhole Trail, known for its technical terrain. Looking to level up? Follow the red trails to find advanced terrain—and if you want your adrenaline fix, don’t miss the Vortex Freeride Area, featuring a 20-foot drop and demanding singletrack that will challenge even the most experienced riders.
Casual MTB Rider
Santos offers singletrack trails that wind through beautiful sand pine scrub forests. Casual riders can enjoy gentle, grassy loops surrounded by nature, while more adventurous riders will find advanced trails interwoven throughout the park. The Blue Highway is a direct route to the Vortex, and the Florida National Scenic Trail connects you to the Ocala National Forest, where diverse ecological communities await.
Advanced MTB Rider: Get Sucked Into the Vortex!
Adventure seekers will find the Vortex Trailhead the launchpad for high-intensity fun. Built on two abandoned mining pits, this area features a wild mix of flat, rolling, rocky, and steep trails. You’ll encounter challenging singletrack, wooden features, pump tracks, bridges, and jump sections that deliver a full-throttle ride. It’s everything you’d expect from a freeride zone, fast, technical, and packed with energy.
It has a great mix of fast, flowing sections with very technical, rocky features thrown in to keep any rider on their toes. The trail also includes wood berms, skinnies, and the Corkscrew—possibly the biggest man-made MTB feature in the state.
Notable Trails at Santos
Pine Tree Trail – Beginner-friendly loop with smooth flow and shaded pine terrain
Sinkhole Trail – Technical intermediate trail with roots and twists
Dog Bone – Flow trail great for building confidence
Twister – One of the longest blue trails with tight turns and fun dips
Ern ‘n Burn – Fast, bermed red trail designed for advanced riders
Vortex Freeride Area – Features drops, jumps, wall rides, and technical descents
Speedway – Short and spicy with steep, quick hits
John Brown Trail – Narrow singletrack that’s fast and fun
Cowbone – Short but tight, with sharp switchbacks and punchy climbs
Rattlesnake Ridge – Expert-only line with steep rock faces and exposed features await
