On older Florida maps, the slope of Green Mountain dropping into the Lake Apopka floodplain is considered the northern extent of the Lake Wales Ridge.
Newer maps define it as part of the Apopka Hills. Either way, the steep grades are obvious on the roads that lead here. One of them crosses nearby Sugarloaf Mountain.
Sugarloaf is the high point of the Florida peninsula at 312 feet above sea level. North of DeFuniak Springs, Florida’s state high point is at 345 feet.
Shaded portion of the observation tower deckAt 180 feet above sea level, the entrance to the trailhead defines the high point of this Lake County preserve. Everything continues downhill from here.
On Florida’s longest set of switchbacks, lose more than a hundred feet of elevation in the first half mile of this round-trip, the steep climb up it greeting you as a finale.
Switchback along the slope of Green MountainResources
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Overview
Location: Ferndale
Length: Up to a 4.3 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 28.646797, -81.709972
Address: 20700 CR 455, Minneola
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the trailhead.
Land manager: Lake County
Phone: 352-253-4950
Day use only. Open 7 AM to posted closing time, usually 6 PM or later. The gate at the base of the switchbacks closes automatically at closing time.
Leashed dogs welcome. This is the best location along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail to walk your dog, as it is well away from the shoreline of Lake Apopka. Please clean up after your pet.
If you plan to walk this full route on a sunny day, sunglasses are a must to temper the glare off the limerock road portion of the trail.
Equestrians are not allowed on Green Mountain but cyclists are welcome. A water bottle filling station is provided at the restrooms.
Directions
From SR 50 east of Clermont, follow Hancock Rd north for 4.1 miles, making a right turn 3 miles in to stay on it. Passing the Florida’s Turnpike exit, continue another 1.6 miles to CR 561A. Turn right and drive 1.4 miles to CR 455 in Ferndale. Make a left. After 2 miles, turn right at the park entrance sign on Wolf’s Head Rd. The parking area drops steeply downhill and has a loop at its end.
Hike
Follow the sidewalk along the edge of the parking area to the picnic pavilion and turn right. An asphalt path gently descends around a curve to the trail kiosk.
It marks the western terminus of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, not a loop but an impressive unbroken crescent along the north shore of Florida’s fourth largest lake.
Lake Apopka as seen from the observation deckWalk past the kiosk to the skybridge extending to the observation tower deck. Lake Apopka is a thin line of blue on the horizon.
While visible in winter, it’s largely obscured when the trees on the slope of Green Mountain leaf out.
Switchbacks below the skybridgeOn the return to the trail kiosk, it’s fascinating to look down on the series of switchbacks below. That’s where you’re headed.
Turn right at the kiosk and walk past the 17.3 mile marker. The descent down the forested hillside is relatively moderate to start.
Start of the descent down Green MountainThe path has loose gravel for footing, but that surface is more jarring for cycling and adds to the tricky turns around the curves. A curve sign denotes the first switchback.
Facing the skybridge, this level has a bench halfway along it. Through the trees, the distant horizon makes it plain you’re on high ground.
First switchbackPass under the bridge at 0.2 mile at the next switchback, and under it again. A staircase leads up the tower to the observation deck. Save it for the return trip.
Past a bench, gently curve along the hillside to reach the next sharp turn to drop a level. A bench adjoins a kiosk at the turn which illustrates the birds seen in this area.
Skybridge at the tower stairsThe level portion of this switchback is shorter, with a kiosk about Lake Apopka at its very sharp turn.
The descent through the woods now becomes much more gradual. Pass the 17 mile marker just before a retention pond swale on the left.
Sharp turn on the final switchbackThe straightaway narrows, facing a wooden fence. A 90-degree turn in a corridor defined by fences leads to a second one.
Exiting the preserve by passing through the gate at a half mile, leave all switchbacks and Green Mountain behind.
Exiting the Green Mountain PreserveContinue into a forest protected as part of the Lake Apopka North Shore by St. Johns Water Management District.
Pass a gravel pile at the entry to a long shaded corridor edged by larger oaks.
Shady corridorFlat and somewhat rugged underfoot, this portion of the path is atop the historic railroad bed of the Tavares & Gulf Railroad.
It gently curves before an open grassy slope opens up, dropping towards the floodplain.
Grassy slopeReaching Marker 16.5, note the continuing countdown for the Lake Apopka Loop Trail extends to its east end at Magnolia Park south of Apopka.
From a two-track tunneling under the tree canopy, the character of the trail changes at the point where the old railbed and the Lake Apopka Loop Trail split.
A curve under the tunnel of treesBear right to continue towards Clay Island, the landscape opening up into another grassy area past the LA Loop Trail sign.
Now a compacted limerock road characteristic of the rest of the trail in the floodplain, the path is broader and there is less shade. Pass the 16 mile marker.
16 Mile MarkerOver the next half mile, there is a lot of glare off the limerock and long gentle curves.
Reaching the 15.5 mile marker, curve past a grassy expanse with several tall cabbage palms and large live oaks along its edge.
15.5 Mile MarkerPalms become more prevalent, signaling the approach to the floodplain. At Jimmy’s Crossing, a welcoming bench sits in the shade of a cluster of palms.
It faces a trail kiosk with a “You Are Here” marked. For a chance to see wildlife, cross the broad water management canal just beyond them both.
Canal defining one side of Clay IslandAt a well-signposted intersection with Ranch Rd, meet the 5.8 mile white-blazed Clay Island Loop. It extends south from this point with two observation towers along it.
It’s a mile north from here to the Clay Island trailhead, which has no facilities except parking.
Clay Island Loop junctionAt 2.2 miles, this is your turn-around point. Retrace the relatively flat and frequently shaded corridor back to the Green Mountain sign and gate.
Entering the preserve, start the long switchbacks up the hill. To change up the finale of this hike, climb the steps to the tower to skip two of the switchback curves.
Take in a final look at the panorama before returning to the trailhead, completing a 4.3 mile hike.
We tag-teamed this trail, with John riding to Clay Island while Sandra documented the switchbacksTrail Map
Explore More!
Lake Apopka North Shore
Learn more about this vast restoration area along the north shore of Lake Apopka and the 17.3 mile trail that uses Green Mountain as its western terminus.
Lake Apopka North Shore Across two counties and along the entire north rim of Florida's fourth-largest lake, this 20,000 acre conservation area is a sweep of wildlife-rich marshes. 
Lake Apopka Loop Trail Discover the wild heart of Central Florida on a ride along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, an arc spanning two counties along the lake's north shore.Video
Hiking and biking to Clay Island and back
Slideshow
See our photos from Green Mountain
Nearby Adventures
Ferndale Preserve On Lake Apopka's western shore, Ferndale Preserve offers amazing panoramas of Florida's fourth largest lake, along with serious elevation changes on its four miles of multi-use trails.
Oakland Nature Preserve Protecting more than 128 acres along Lake Apopka, Oakland Nature Preserve offers an accessible boardwalk through marshes to the lake and uplands trails to explore.
- Brooker Creek Preserve - April 20, 2025
- Disappearing Creek Loop - April 9, 2025
- Tippecanoe Environmental Park - April 3, 2025