Gainesville–Hawthorne Trail — Boulware Springs rail return
Florida · Rail-trail
From Boulware Springs trailhead follow the signed main paved Gainesville–Hawthorne Trail toward Hawthorne for up to three miles and retrace. Remain on the paved state route; overlook spurs, soft equestrian tracks and natural preserve paths are excluded.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Gainesville · Florida
- Ride length
- Up to 6 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Paved main state rail trail; adjacent horse/nature tracks excluded
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- The Gainesville end includes meaningful hills and descents despite the former railroad corridor. Control speed, expect a climb on return and walk uncomfortable slopes.
- Starting location
- Gainesville–Hawthorne State Trail public Boulware Springs trailhead, Southeast 15th Street, Gainesville, FL
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Approximate named public park/facility reference; written start is separate. Not a surveyed entrance or parking stall.
Gainesville–Hawthorne Trail — Boulware Springs rail return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Gainesville–Hawthorne State Trail public Boulware Springs trailhead, Southeast 15th Street, Gainesville, FL.
Use currently signed ordinary public visitor spaces and walk the parking approach to the path. Boat-trailer, reserved-event and private business spaces are not assumed available. Check current gate and parking terms.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 6 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: From Boulware Springs trailhead follow the signed main paved Gainesville–Hawthorne Trail toward Hawthorne for up to three miles and retrace. Remain on the paved state route; overlook spurs, soft equestrian tracks and natural preserve paths are excluded.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Paved main state rail trail; adjacent horse/nature tracks excluded. The Gainesville end includes meaningful hills and descents despite the former railroad corridor. Control speed, expect a climb on return and walk uncomfortable slopes.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. Fresh city park page confirms this public bicycle trailhead and parking, while trail-conservancy description and prior state evidence establish the paved rail route. Fresh state detail retrieval was denied, so this is not a claim of a complete fresh state-condition read. Check current state notices and actual storm/work barriers. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.