Ocala Mountain Biking

Experience The Epic Santos Trails In Ocala Florida

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Hours

8:00 a.m. — Sundown

Fees

No fees

Location

3080 SE 80th St. 
Ocala, FL 34470

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Contact

Total Trail Size:

85.0 miles

5 Trails

8 Trails

8 Trails

Santos Mountain Biking  

Santos Trailhead

Welcome to Santos Trailhead, a mountain biking mecca in Ocala, Florida. Part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Santos has over 80 miles of singletrack trails for all levels. Whether you’re a casual rider looking for easy, grassy loops or an experienced rider seeking rocky climbs and steep drops, Santos has it all. Get outside and get your mountain on.

Santos Trail: Florida’s Best Mountain Biking

Santos Trail in Ocala is one of the top trail systems in Florida and the entire Southeast. Built in 1993 on the site of a rock quarry, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association has spent years building and maintaining this trail system. Santos has trails for all levels of riders – beginners to experts. Santos was awarded the prestigious “Epic Ride” designation by IMBA in 2006, one of only three in the U.S. to get that honor that year.

Directions

Getting to Santos Trailhead is easy. Located in north-central Florida, Santos is just a short drive from Gainesville and Orlando. From I-75, take exit 358 and head east on US-27. Turn left onto SE 80th Street and follow the signs to Santos Trailhead. Open daily 8 am to sunset, the trailhead has paved parking for visitors so you can get on the trail hassle free.

Trails at Santos

The trails at Santos are designed for all skill levels. Beginners can start with the Pine Tree Trail, a easy introduction to the area. More experienced riders can take on the Sinkhole Trail, known for its technical terrain. Trails are marked by color: yellow for beginners, blue for intermediate and red for advanced. If you want to get your adrenaline fix, the Vortex Freeride area is a must see. A 20 foot drop and demanding singletrack to challenge even the most experienced riders.

Casual Rider

The Santos Trailhead has singletrack trails that meander through a beautiful sand pine scrub forest. Casual riders can ride gentle, grassy loops through natural surroundings. If you want more adventure, advanced trails are woven throughout this part of the park. The Blue Highway is a direct route to the Vortex and the Florida National Scenic Trail connects to the Ocala National Forest with diverse ecological communities for you to explore.

Advanced Rider: Get Sucked Into the Vortex!

Adventure enthusiasts will find the Vortex trailhead to be the starting point for an exciting journey into the great outdoors! This area, built on two abandoned mining pits, features trails that range from flat and rolling to rocky and steep. Expect to encounter challenging singletrack, wood features, pump tracks, bridges, and epic jump sections—perfect for those who crave an adrenaline rush.

Get Stoked!

Santos is more than a ride—it’s a destination! Trails go from easy forest roads to high energy tracks worthy of an energy drink commercial. Nearby bike rental and the Santos Campground offer amenities for visitors including picnic pavilions, restrooms and RV camping. Trailhead amenities like air pump stations, tools and bike washes make it easy. Just watch out for two way traffic on some trails especially around corners.

You arrive at Santos Bike Trail, surrounded by Florida pines in Ocala and you’re in old Florida and nature.

Mountain Biking Basics

Before you hit the trails make sure you have the basics. A mountain bike, helmet and plenty of water are non negotiable. Sunglasses, gloves and sunscreen will protect you from the elements. A map, first aid kit and snacks will make your ride safer and more enjoyable. For the Vortex Freeride area consider full-face helmet and knee pads.

Physical Demands and Safety

Mountain biking is physically demanding so be prepared. Choose trails that match your skill level and always wear protective gear. Be courteous to other riders, slow down on corners and stay hydrated. The Ocala Mountain Bike Association recommends starting with easier trails and working your way up to more difficult ones. Tell someone your route and expected return time to be safe and make the most of your ride.


Florida has some of the best mountain biking in the country and Santos Trailhead is proof of that. Natural beauty and technical challenges in one place. Get out and ride and make some memories!

Discover nearby trails: Croom, Alafia State Park, Balm Boyette, Loyce Harpe Park 

 

Santos Bike trail amenities

Restrooms

Drinking Water

Shaded Pavilions

Camping

Parking

Pump Track

Santos Bike TRAILS

Beginner

Dog Bone — 3.0 mi

Pine Tree East — 3.0 mi

Pine Tree West — 1.6 mi

Shorty — 0.2 mi

Puppy Loop — 0.5 mi

Intermediate

Twister — 3.0 mi

Bunny — 1.5 mi

Bryar Patch — 0.38 mi

Canopy — 0.38 mi

Speedway — 0.56 mi

Cow Bone — 1.0 mi

Dr. Ruth — 1.0 mi

Marshmallow — 0.38 mi

 

Advanced/Expert

Back Door — 0.17 mi

Magic Mountain — 0.1 mi

Anthill — 0.23 mi

Miller Mile — 0.28 mi

Rattlesnake Ridge — 0.3 mi

John Brown — 0.53 mi

Sinkhole — 0.96 mi

Vortex — 2.00 mi

 

 

TRAIL GALLERY

Review This Trail

Experience The Epic Santos Trails In Ocala Florida Reviews

This Trail is impressive wherever you come from

September 3, 2024

The Santos Bike Trail is definitely among the best trail networks in the southeastern United States, in my opinion! It’s quite impressive how it doesn’t feel like Florida at all sometimes! The landscape is truly special as the trails wind, through two abandoned mining pits offering a mix of stretches and challenging rocky inclines. Santos provides an opportunity for those seeking a thrilling adventure with its challenging singletrack trails and exciting wood features like pump tracks and bridges, along with some awesome jump sections to conquer. Making it a unique gem for mountain biking enthusiasts from wherever.

Frank Rodriguez

Everything you'd expect and more.

November 27, 2023

The trails are in excellent condition, beautifully maintained, and a joy to ride.

We never get tired of cycling here because there are so many different spots to explore. Starting at the Santos Trailhead, you may ride into the Ocala National Forest on a beautiful single track. This trail is predominantly green, with a few blues thrown in for good measure. You can also go on an Epic ride through the Vortex trailhead. Vortex includes features for more advanced riders. You can get some serious air on the jump lines, ride throughout the technical single track, or tackle some difficult wood features.

Robert R

Epic

April 29, 2023

Santos has something for everyone. You can enter at the Santos Trailhead if you’re looking for something easy to ride through the beautiful Ocala National Forrest. Or you can enter through the Vortex Trailhead for an epic adventure.

If you want to be challenged, Vortex has everything you need – huge dirt jumps, tabletops, pump tracks, cool wood features, and technical single track. It also features a vertical drop that is roughly 20 feet in height.

Frank Rodriguez
Experience The Epic Santos Trails In Ocala Florida User Rating:
5.0
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