Top 10 Running Spots in Lake County, FL

Needing to get out and stretch your legs? Local running guru’s Kevin Grogan, owner of DASH Sports in downtown Clermont, and Brian Boylan, an accomplished ultra-runner and FloDash Race Director (and high school science teacher) shared insights on their favorite routes near Orlando.

Kevin and Brian both love to keep their running spots fresh! Brian says that destination training runs are certainly his passion and one of his secrets to success come race day.

Want to know where these running gems are hidden? Check out the list below that Kevin and Brian provided to help you pick out your next place to go for a run.

Lake Louisa State Park

Website | 7305 US-27, Clermont, FL 34714

dirt trail surrounding by greenery and oak canopy with marking on one tree marking trail. — Marked trails at Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont, FL.
Photo credit: @trackingthewolfkills on Instagram

What makes it great: A great network of well-marked trails coupled with nearly 10 miles of asphalt road makes this a runner’s paradise. Lake Louisa State Park is also home to over 20 miles of trail running. It is also home to the Lake Louisa Trail Project, a series of color-coded marked trails for runners of all levels.

Challenges: Few sections of trails are prone to flooding during the rainy season. It is also important to keep your bearings. With almost 20 miles of trails, it can be easy to get turned around.

The City of Howey-in-the-Hills

Website | Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida 34737

landscape of Little Lake Harris with lake grass in foreground and two rainbows in the sky above the water. — View along the shores of LIttle Lake Harris.
Photo credit: @wbwatts on Instagram

What makes it great: Scenic run through old Florida. Beautiful run along the shores of Little Lake Harris. Great opportunity for hill repeats. Very light vehicle traffic.

Challenges: Aptly named, it is hard to find a flat stretch of road.

PEAR Park

Website | 5241 Legacy Blvd, Leesburg, FL 34748

Man dressed in athletic wear running on a dirt trail with a natural surrounding with spanish moss hanging from oak trees behind him. — Running the trails at PEAR Park in Leesburg.
Photo credit: @flodashevents on Instagram

What makes it great: This Lake County park is a real gem. Beautiful, well groomed trails. Great location for glimpses of wildlife and dozens of acres of wildflowers. There is also a riverfront trail for those looking for a more technical run.

Challenges: Not a lot of shade. Make sure to wear sunscreen and wear a hat.

Green Mountain Overlook

Website | 20700 County Rd 455, Minneola, FL 34715

Sunrise with overcast skies with a scenic overlook platform in the foreground over treetops below. — Beautiful sunrises can be seen from the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook.
Photo credit: @sunsetbystevenj on Instagram

What makes it great: Western outpost of the Lake Apopka Scenic Trail (LAST). LAST is a network of trails along the north shore of Florida’s fifth biggest Lake. The main trail is a limestone road. There are a series of grass trails that branch off of the main trail as well. Great run for wildlife lovers.

Challenges: Be on the lookout for some of the biggest alligators you have ever seen, sometimes only feet away from the road.

The Clermont Clay Trail / Bradshaw Road

Website | 8928-9290 N Bradshaw Rd, Clermont, FL 34714

A small group of runners on a clay road with rolling hills with orange groves next to the road. — The Clermont Clay Trails are a very popular spot for runners from around the world.
Photo credit: FloDash Events

What makes it great: A runner’s paradise. This well-known loop provides a great alternative to the punishing impact of asphalt. Beautiful rolling hills with scenery for miles.

Challenges: Can be pretty crowded on weekends, especially during cross country season. Watch out for heavy vehicle traffic to and from Southern Hills Farm during blueberry season, April and May.

South Lake Trail – Waterfront Park

Website | 330 3rd St, Clermont, FL 34711

Large oak trees with draping spanish moss overhang a paved walking trail with walkers using trail at dusk — The South Lake Trail along the Clermont waterfront is magical at dusk.
Photo credit: @kathywitkowski on Instagram

What makes it great: Beginning at the Orange County/Lake County line, this asphalt fitness trail is an extension of the West Orange Trail.

Challenges: This section is much hillier than its counterpart to the east.

Downtown Clermont

Website | 741 West Montrose Street Clermont, FL 34711

Paved sidewalk with railing and benches along the waterfront of a lake with a pier located in the distance at sunset. — The 8th Street Pier on the waterfront of downtown Clermont provide incredible views of Lake Minneola.
Photo credit: @adventurewithlisamarie on Instagram

What makes it great: Downtown Clermont provides runners a unique charm with its quaint downtown and waterfront trail network. Exactly what you’d expect from a town that caters to the multisport athlete.

Challenges: Occasional road closures in this ever changing downtown.

Lake Hiawatha Preserve

Website | 450 12th St, Clermont, FL 34711

Canopy of Live Oak trees with spanish moss hanging from the branches. — Run through the shade of oak trees at Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
Photo credit: @wheniexplore

What makes it great: Great one-and-a-half mile loop through acres of old growth live oaks. Plenty of shade and seclusion.

Challenges: Pay attention to the trail marking to make sure you don’t go off course.

Kirk Park – City of Montverde

Website | 17436 Division St, Montverde, FL 34756

What makes it great: Small town feel. Explore the back-roads along Lake Apopka. Some sections of path & also neat running trails around Montverde Academy. Roads throughout town are hilly, but light in traffic. Sunoco gas station is very endurance friendly.

Challenges: Not a set running route but some great areas if you are just looking to explore.

Wooton Park

Website | 100 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32278

Seaplane parked on the bank of a lake with a building in the background. — Watch the seaplanes take-off and land as you run along the shores of Lake Dora in Tavares.
Photo credit: @pedrocollusso on Instagram

What makes it great: Run along Lake Dora has amazing views. Always plenty of action including Seaplanes landing around this Town. Runner/biker friendly roads.

Challenges: Lots going on here with the kids park, restaurants/pubs, & seaplanes so parking can be sometimes challenging. Weekday mornings have worked best for me.