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The Waldo Road Greenway, Depot Avenue Rail-Trail, the Kermit Sigmon Bike Trail and the Old Archer Road Trail are all part of Gainesville's ever-expanding rail-trail network.
The Waldo Road Greenway, Depot Avenue Rail-Trail and the Kermit Sigmon Bike Trail are seamlessly connected, offering users three trails in one. Together, they comprise a 6.6-mile path that links neighborhoods, businesses, transit stops, a private aviation terminal and the University of Florida campus. The Old Archer Road Trail is less than a miles and is separated from the other three trails by a short gap.
Waldo Road Greenway (3.6 miles)
At the north end the Waldo Road Greenway is particularly well landscaped and passes numerous public transportation connections. Be aware that the trail narrows at intersections and at a couple of the transit stops.
Depot Avenue Rail-Trail (2 miles)
The Depot Avenue Rail-Trail picks up just beyond 2 miles from the Waldo Road/University Avenue intersection. Threading through neighborhoods and industrial areas, it never loses its community essence.
At SW Depot Avenue and SW 6th Street, the trail intersects with the 6th Street Rail Trail. Follow the 6th Street Rail Trail south to connect with the scenic Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail.
Kermit Sigmon Bike Trail (1 miles)
Across the trestle, you'll join the Kermit Sigmon Bike Trail. Named for a local mathematics professor and great bicycling advocate, the trail leads west past both Shands and Veterans hospitals, and hospital employees use it as a commuter corridor.
At S Newell Drive and SW Archer Road, the trail connects to the UF Campus Greenway.
Old Archer Road Trail (0.9 miles)
The Old Archer Road Trail is separated from the other three trails by a short gap, but it is possible to continue south from the southern end of the Kermit Sigmon Bike Trail via a narrow sidewalk along SW 16th Avenue to reach the northern end of Old Archer Road Trail.
Continuing south, the trail runs along Old Archer Road for less than a mile.
Connections
At S Newell Drive and SW Archer Road, the trail connects to the UF Campus Greenway.
At SW Depot Avenue and SW 6th Street, the trail intersects with the 6th Street Rail Trail. Follow the 6th Street Rail Trail south to connect with the scenic Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail.
The Waldo Road Greenway, Depot Avenue Rail-Trail, the Kermit Sigmon Bike Trail and the Old Archer Road Trail run between NE 47 Avenue and Old Archer Road.
While there are no formal trailheads, you can access the route from a number of road crossings. The route offers numerous access points, particularly along Waldo and Archer roads, where the trail intersects with SW 13th and South Main streets, and on several side streets. The Gainesville Depot has been restored and offers limited parking at the intersection of South Main Street and Depot Avenue.
Visit the TrailLink map for detailed directions.
I agree with another post, women should be very aware of areas of this trail. Many young men on drugs it appears in areas where things could go bad in a hurry
Rollerskates this entire trail in October of 2023. Sadly, not great quality always in surface. Lots of homeless tents along the trail. Ends by airport. Busy road next to it. No cool scenery. Glad I did it but not planning to ever do it again.
The trail does connect to the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail. Just go from 34th and Archer east and cross Williston Rd.
It would be great if this trail continued north past the airport to Waldo. It could be a connector between the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail and (nearly) the Lake Butler Palatka Trail, not to mention it would make commutes along Waldo Road and it's 65 mph speed limit a whole lot safer. Most map services, like google for instance, show the trail continuing all the way to the town of Waldo.
Will this ever be extended into a Gainesville - Waldo Trail??
"This trail has been extended west nearly to SW 34th Street in Gainesville. There is a good bike shop on the south east corner of Archer Road and SW 34th Streetnext to Radio Shack. I haven't seen any evidence of a new connector to the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail, although you can take surface streets to it.
The western portion of the trail is commonly used by students traveling by bike or foot power to the University of Florida. To the west of 34th street, you can ride the sidewalk (carefully, watch for cars turning or not stopping for you while accessing parking lots, it's not for the meek) past I-75. There are bike lanes on Archer Road west of I-75, but there are also sidewalks which are hardly used and away from one of the most heavily travelled roads in Gainesville.
The sidewalks go past 92nd Street and more are being built. I have used this route several times to pick up rental cars at the airport, about 15 miles away.
The railroad depot area downtown has been painted. Nearby are some monuments worth looking at. They are large cememt castings, embedded with fractured remains of several expensive bicycles. The riders lost their lives several years ago after they were run over by a driver who was sightseeing on US 441 south of Gainesville. Route 441 goes through Paynes Prairie. Recently this scenic truck route has been widened for bike lanes and rumble strips have been installed, but the lanes are still part of the road.
The Waldo Road Greenway trail is good for transportation and less effective for sightseeing and relaxation. It does go by the south side perimeter of the University of Florida. The roads within UF have an enforced 20 mile per hour speed limit and make an enjoyable ride by themselves.
I can provide high res digtal photos of the area's trails and attractions for publication."
"The trail runs through some of the lesser neighborhoods of Gainesville. The area is a high crime, low income area. Women should not take trail without escort or some pepper spray."
"This urban trail is accented by landscaping, but pales when compared to the nearby Gainesville-Hawthorne trail. The trail has been extended to the northeast and now runs to the Gainesville Airport."
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