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Reported: November 2024

Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail... East Florida

A short (but growing) trail with a long history

Like many travelers along I-95 near Vero Beach, we had seen the bridge and the distinctive Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail sign spanning it. Curious about the trail, we decided to visit. This is a 4-mile (and growing) rail-trail built on an old railroad grade of the Trans-Florida Central Railroad. The right-of-way totals 15 miles, 4 miles have been completed to date between Fellsmere and Sebastian. (Map link and photos below.)

Map link... Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail

Location: Indian River County
Mileage: 4 miles
Surface: Paved (3 miles), gravel (1 mile)
Trailheads/Parking: Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve (11090 CR 512, Fellsmere), Kitching Switch Trailhead (9450 CR 512, Sebastian)
Nearby points of interest: Saint Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Bike Shops/Rentals: N/A

 Page Summary:

1. Biking on Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail
   
2. Trail at Fellsmere
   - Fellsmere Trailhead
   - Fellsmere Trailhead to Fellsmere
3. Fellsmere to Sebastian
   - Fellsmere Trailhead to Kitching Switch Trailhead
   - Kitching Switch Trailhead to Sebastian
4. Some History
   - About the Railroad
   - More About Fellsmere
5. More Information and Resources

Biking on the Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail.. Comments and Photos

The trail is a popular local amenity - wide and flat, used by bikers, hikers, and runners. Located mostly away from roads it's quiet and rural, much of it running through woodlands with ample shade. Facilities are located at both trailheads. There are a few benches, more would be welcome. Overall, we enjoyed this ride and would consider a return trip as the trail grows.

Trail at Fellsmere

The trailhead at Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve is located along Sebastian Blvd. (CR 512), 1/4 mile west of I-95. The trailhead has parking, restrooms, picnic pavilion, playground, visitor information center, and observation deck.

• There's a paved trail leaving the park that runs alongside CR 512, but this is not the trail. Just before exiting the park is a wide gravel road that runs about 1/4 mile to the trail. If there's signage indicating this, we did not see it and had to backtrack from the road.
• The gravel surface is easy to ride. Once on the trail, the surface is paved. Go left for the new extension to Fellsmere through St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, or go right to Sebastian.

Fellsmere Trailhead

 

Picnic, playground

Information, restrooms

Observation deck

Parking

Trailhead to Trail

Leaving trailhead

Gravel road to trail left, exit to CR 512 right

To trail

 

Trail intersection

Fellsmere Trailhead to Fellsmere (1 mile)

• The trail comes to a gate where it enters the Preserve, go around to continue. The surroundings include woodland and open prairie. We only went about half way to where the trail crosses the Red Trail (hiking, mountain biking) at the Preserve.
• Eventually the trail will extend to Broadway Street in Fellsmere, constructed in several phases. The extension at the time of our visit goes to the edge of town. We'll plan to revisit when completed.

Fellsmere to Sebastian

Fellsmere Trailhead to Kitching Switch Trailhead (2.25 miles)

• The double-arched overpass is about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. We found it to be one of the best bridges we've ridden - the long ramps provide a grade that was more easily bikeable.
• From the bridge to the Kitching Switch Trailhead at Sebastian is a straight shot through mostly shaded woodlands (we saw some deer trailside) with two road crossings. The trailhead is at the second (WW Ranch Rd.). From the trail crossing, ride on the road about 50 feet to the North County Aquatic Center (part of the Commissioner Fran B. Adams Park, formerly called North County Regional Park).

Kitching Switch Trailhead to Sebastian (0.5 mile)

• The Kitching Switch Trailhead has parking, restrooms, and pool. Other facilities within the Park are picnic tables and athletic fields. The small museum (replica of a rail car shed) has historical exhibits, but was closed when we visited.
  + The name “Kitching Switch” comes from the early railroad siding, or “switch,” where goods were loaded onto the main railroad line. The name came from Silvanus Kitching, who had a general store there.
• After crossing WW Ranch Rd. the trail turns to gravel, well-maintained and easy to ride. It parallels CR 512, buffered by trees, crossing a couple of boardwalks over wetlands, and passing Sebastian River Middle School. There are two entrances to the school, school was out when we visited but care should be taken when students, vehicles, and school buses are present.
• Past the school, the trail was closed for repair and riders asked to use the sidewalk along CR 512. This is a wide, bikeable sidewalk but we ended our ride here.

Kitching Switch Trailhead

Into the park

 

Kitching Switch Trailhead exhibition center

Pool

Bike fix-it station

Kitching Switch Trailhead to trail end

Gravel path begins

Trailhead from the trail

Boardwalk

At the middle school;

Along CR 512

 

Trail closed

Sidewalk along CR 512

Some History

The Railroad

The railroad operated from 1911 until 1952, first as the Fellsmere Railroad (1911-24), then as the Trans-Florida Central Railroad (1924-1952). It was key to the land boom of the early 1900's, carrying passengers, goods, and equipment from Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway rail line in Sebastian inland to the newly developing area.

• The name "Trans-Florida Central Railroad" reflected a plan to connect to Florida's west coast, but the Great Depression ended that effort.
• It was dubbed the "Little Dinky" after the Model T car or truck that served as the railcar.

More about Fellsmere

Fellsmere, named for E. Nelson Fell, was incorporated in 1911. It was at the center of the land boom, with the Fellsmere Estates Development Company a major driver of the area's growth.

• Historic Fellsmere's "firsts" include:
  + The Birthplace For Equal Suffrage For Women in Florida, Fellsmere is the first place in Florida (and the first south of the Mason-Dixon Line) where women were allowed to vote in a municipal election (1915, four years before ratification of the 19th Amendment);
  + Marion Fell Library (1915), listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the oldest library in Indian River County;
  + Fellsmere Historical Church (1912), the first church in the city;
  + First public school, railroad depot and hotel in Indian River County.
• The Fellsmere Estates Corporation's headquarters building (1926), today is home to Marsh Landing Restaurant, noted for its southern cuisine, walls covered with historic artifacts, and bluegrass music on Thursdays.
• Known as the Frog Leg Capital of the World, it hosts the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival and holds two Guinness World Records - for most frog legs sold in a working day, and for largest frogs’ legs festival.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

East FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Nearby Paddling:

St. Sebastian River at www.PaddleFlorida.net

Related Resources:

Sebastian Area Chamber of Commerce - Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail brochure