Where to walk
 

Moving into Hacienda North in Spanish Springs. I am an avid walker and am wondering about walking paths. I walk to my mail box and would love to walk to the square. Are the golf cart paths for walkers too? I always walk facing traffic. Carts and cars come so fast so I have to be hyper aware.
Also, what would be the closest dedicated just for walkers path? Don’t want to drive to Edna’s in Fenney every day!

The walking path at Lake Miona rec center would be a lot closer than Fenney. Pull into the parking lot from Buena Vista, drive straight back, park at the far end then from the parking lot, you can see the path. Turn right on the path to the recycled asphalt walkway.

There is also a path along 441, Paradise park. Portions are going to be just walkers, some are shared with golf carts.

"Golf Cart Paths" on golf courses are just for golf carts.

Elsewhere, they are called "Multi-Modal Paths" and are for golf carts, cyclists, walkers, etc., but you still need to be alert and walk facing traffic.

You can drive to Spanish springs or LSL and walk around the squares.

Seems like something that should have been part of your purchase criteria.

I walk around Paradise Lake almost daily, and the roadways' traffic is very light. Defensive walking is essential, especially on multimodal paths. I used to walk rails-to-trails up north, and the connection with nature was better. My goal is daily exercise, and the Paradise Park exercise equipment helps.

The closest decent walking path to you is in the village of Bradford.

You can park at their pool and find the walking path just behind it. Then you can walk around Bradford, take a little foot bridge over to St. Catherine, walk around the lakes and come down to Meggison Road, and then turn left on the walking/biking path and go thru Citrus Grove, Newell, Lake Denham, and Dabney. Then rest at their rec center and follow the same path back to your car.

In this walk, you will never have to deal with a car or a golf cart.

After this, you will be tired.

That's a very long way from Hacienda North. OP was asking for options closer to home.
This might help. Trails & Parks in The Villages(R)

No he wasn't. He was asking for a place to walk closest to his home. The path starting in Bradford is the closest one to his home.

Sigh.....

So glad you walk facing traffic. I wish others would learn that not only is it safer, it is Florida law.

Best answer, plus walking the squares

Trails & Parks in The Villages(R)
Pathways in The Villages(R): Explore Trails and More

I agree, that trail at Lake Miona is very nice, especially because both dogs and bikes are not allowed.

The other walking trails allow bikes, so the walkers have to be careful.

Where to walk? Hmmm?
I believe Lou Reed suggested walking on the "wild side". What ever that means. 🤔

There is a walking club in The Villages called The Walking Villagers. Jan is the in charge, the email is. thewalkingvillagers@gmail.com.

Some people just don’t know to walk facing traffic. I actually stopped to tell 2 ladies walking yesterday and they were thankful. You can do it in a very nice considerate, just trying to be friendly, way.

That is true most everywhere in TV but some of the cart paths on Hacienda are also MMP’s

Just across Morse Blvd from you is a Multi Modal Path that connects to the MMP that runs beside El Camino Real. You can walk for miles on it. Not sure but there may be a walkway out of the back of Hacienda North so you can get to Spanish Springs safely. Both would involve crossing a busy road

Most of the people answering, you have no idea about walking paths north. You do not have to drive anywhere. There is a multi modal path that goes through the Hacienda golf course that you can access easily. There’s a multi modal path on the west side of Morse, that will take you Into neighborhoods where you can easily walk the streets or take you north up to El Camino, where you can walk west over to Savannah or Glenview. Off of El Camino you can also go north into harmswoid neighborhood and walk around that neighborhood. You can easily walk into Spanish Springs. There’s a multi Moto path just south of Spanish Springs that goes around Chula Vista and wanders south all the way to the lady Lake park, golf course, though just Woodshop. Lots of places to walk close to you. you will have to use some low traffic residential streets in addition to the multi modal paths.

A treadmill located in your own home. It's safe and effective.

From Morse, if you walk down San Juan Drive, take the first left onto Corona and keep walking (Corona turns into Barcelona), you'll come to the path that crosses Hickory Head Hammack and Aveineda Central, then leads to Alonzo. Alonzo goes back to Spanish Springs Town Square. If you turn to the left behind the Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center, you can walk along the little pond. Straight across is the golf cart bridge.

We live in Rio Grande and walk straight from our front door. We took the time to find the quiet streets and the multi paths that are connected. Often our center point is the Square. My sugestion is enjoy the search for your favorite walk right outside your own door. You will meet your new neighbors and know your neighborhood.

Why would you say that?

The Walking Villagers website is Home. You can access our monthly calendars there. We walk twice a week from different starting locations, three and six mile options. Come join us!

Too bad it is so far but there are MANY walking trails south of SR44! The developer must have realized that this was something people wanted. I live in Fenney and just in our village we have a walking trail all alone Fenney Way. Also in Fenney Springs, Blue Heron (short walk), Spanish Moss, and Sugar Cane!

Bradford
 

Lake Miona very nice. Great surface and no dogs or bikes. Don’t understand the Bradford answer.

My suggestion of course is to cross the golf cart bridge, and just walk anywhere you want on the Historic Side. There's only one MMP and it's very short, from the park to the Veterinary clinic. Other than Paradise Ave, West Boone, Tarrson. and the Lester hill, the streets don't get heavy traffic and it's a nice area to walk in. Plenty of shade to hide under when the sun is high, interesting landscaping choices and colors to look at, and super-friendly people to say "hi" to as you walk. We also have HILLS, something most parts of the Villages can't boast about. If you want to exercise and stretch your hamstrings and glutes, the Historic side is the place to be.

Because it is true.

I think you are exactly right!

When they started building south of 44 in January 2017, I think they started doing things differently. Like banning dogs from the postal stations, making the pools free-form, and building walking trails where golf carts are banned.

Fortunately for us, we had just bought a new house in Osceola Hills just north of 44. We go to the new areas for walks all the time.

Small quibble. Edna's is in Marsh Bend.

walking path
 

There is a walking pat close to part of Chula Vista golf course. Start at the Chula Vista pool. Another goes through Mira Masa course.

The golf cart paths are NOT for pedestrian walking. If you look, there is a sign at each golf cart path entrance that reminds one that the path is for golf traffic, only. Not only is it dangerous, it is trespassing. From Hacienda North you should easily find a good walking avenue to Spanish Springs.

Wrong again. The OP will be moving to Hacienda North.

You wrote "No he wasn't. He was asking for a place to walk closest to his home. The path starting in Bradford is the closest one to his home.

Bradford is not closer to Hacienda North than the Lake Miona walking trail. Get a map.

When I walk on the golf cart paths, I walk facing traffic and I step off of the path when a golf carts comes along. I notice some people don't step off because for one reason in the wetter season - that they don't want to get their shoes wet. I wear walking shoes and use wool socks.

I agree. Last winter we rented in the Silverlakes region of the Historic Side. I am also an avid walker and found the roads there had low traffic volume and rolling hills and trees that help to make the walks interesting. Very easy to put together a route of any desired length. However, I prefer to walk (hike) on something other than asphalt and The Villages seem to be lacking true nature trails. Does anyone have experience with Lake Weir and the Carney Island Rec area, it says hiking trails on Google Maps. It looks like it is short drive north from the Spanish Springs area. Thanks.

I think everyone is confusing each other and themselves by interchanging the term "golf cart path" with "MMP."

To the OP: these are two different things with different meanings, in The Villages. A "golf cart path" is a paved path designated exclusively for the use of golf carts, or golfers who are golfing on the golf course. Pedestrians who aren't golfing on the golf course are not allowed to be on them at all, nor are bicycle riders, joggers, dogs, scooters, rollerblades, Segways, or anything else.

An "MMP" is a "multi-modal path" - and all of the above are allowed on them.

There is also a thing called a "walking trail" or "walking path" or "pedestrian path" which is designated exclusively for people using their own two feet or a medical mobility device (such as a wheelchair or knee-scooter) only. Bicycles are not allowed on them, nor are golf carts.

There are also a VERY few golf cart paths that aren't on golf courses, with signs specifying "golf carts only." In theory, that'd mean pedestrians and bicycles aren't allowed on them, but this doesn't seem to be enforced. I think the assumption is that whoever made those signs, intended to simply forbid any other kind of motor vehicles (such as cars, trucks, motorcycles). No idea if that's true or not but it seems a practical assumption.

I use the Paradise Park outdoor exercise machines often. And I will walk or jog around the small circle track that they have there. The only thing to watch out for is sometimes people walking there have dogs that are out of control. In about 7 years of going there I saw one guy get bitten by a lady's dog that she let control her.

Is this walkers only or are bicycles allowed?

I agree that the walking trail behind the Lake Miona rec center is closer for the OP than the beautiful train starting in Bradford, but it is very short, not what I think a real walker would find fulfilling.

We took our grand-daughters (ages 16 and 13) on that trail because we knew golf carts, bikes, and dogs are forbidden, and they loved it.

Yes, bikes are allowed.