Around Montverde, FL

Bella Collina® is located in Montverde, just 30 minutes from Orlando and 20 minutes to Walt Disney World. Its surrounding areas are rich in history, rolling hills, rural living, exquisite vistas and desirable real estate. It is also located on CR455 — the Green Mountain Scenic Byway – a protected Florida Scenic Highway. The nearby towns, cities and Byway Corridor area, offer numerous recreational and educational opportunities for everyone.

Town of Montverde – Enjoy the charm of this historic small town nestled on the western shore of Lake Apopka. The Town has parks and recreation, a cemetery where eight Confederate and one Union veterans are buried, archaeological artifacts finds, including a Timucua canoe, and the only fish cabin in existence used in the early 1900’s when Lake Apopka was worldly known as a premier sport-fishing destination. Also in the Town is the 125-acre private, non-profit boarding school campus of the Montverde Academy, established in 1912, with stately buildings and an international student body. Montverde plans to revitalize its Town Center while preserving its small town atmosphere and living. Click here to learn more about the Town of Montverde.

Montverde Academy – 125-acre private and non-profit boarding school campus, established in 1912, with stately buildings and an international student body. One of the best private schools in Central Florida. Click here to learn more about Montverde’s Academy.

Lake Apopka – Lake Apopka was once the second largest lake in Florida and a premier sport-fishing destination, with numerous fish camps along the western shore. As a result of 100 years of canal digging, dike building, draining, muck farming, runoff and discharges from cities, agriculture, and industry, the lake became one the most polluted in Florida. At least 18,000 acres were drained for agricultural purposes, and the lake is now only the fourth largest in the state. The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a 25 to 50 year, $130 million plus project to restore the lake to Class III water quality. A Class III water body is fit for wildlife and recreation, and it is hoped that the restoration of the lake will lead to a healthy and sustainable eco-tourism industry. Click here to learn more.

Sugarloaf Mountain – one of the highest point in peninsular Florida at 312 feet is found right here! Climb it to enjoy unique vistas of Lake County and Lake Apopka.

Ferndale – Located along the Byway, between Sugarloaf Mountain and the Town of Montverde, this village provides a desirable rural atmosphere to its residents. While this is a small unincorporated village of Lake County, it has one of the oldest and smallest post office in Florida.

Natural Resources – The Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Florida Forever site is bisected by the Byway. Parcels of remnant scrub containing many species of endangered and threatened plants and animals are visible from the Byway. The Byway passes through some of the highest sand hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, including Sugarloaf Mountain. Lake Apopka and associated wetlands are visible from many locations on the Byway.

Clay Island – located in the Restoration area on the northern shore of Lake Apopka. The Restoration Area, composed of 20,068 acres, has become known for it’s remarkable diversity of bird species. More than 270 bird species have been counted. 5.7 miles of trails and an observation tower on the shoreline have been created on Clay Island. A better access to this area is currently in the works.

Archaeological Resources – The area was once populated by Native American Indians–the Timucua, then Seminole. Twelve archaeological sites within 1.5 miles of the Scenic Byway right of way have been identified  The sites vary from scattered isolated artifacts to burial mounds with remains. Many artifacts have been found by area residents on the west shore of Lake Apopka, including a dug out canoe that is on display at the Helen Lehmann Memorial Library in Montverde.

Vistas – The best vistas in Central Florida are located along the Byway corridor, particularly near Sugarloaf Mountain. The nighttime vista of the eastern shoreline of Lake Apopka is particularly dramatic. Miles of hardwood hammocks and wetlands along the near shoreline are within the view shed.

Cycling — CR455 is an internationally recognized resource for competition and touring cycling. It is one of the most heavily used cycling routes in Florida, and is also extremely popular with motorcyclists, antique and sports car clubs, as well as Sunday drivers.

National Training Center – The National Training Center is a 300-acre sports, health, fitness and education campus, in the nearby city of Clermont, which is unique not only throughout the state of Florida, but also throughout the world. The NTC unites world-class sports and athletic facilities with a hospital, medical office buildings, community college and four-year University. The USA National Triathlon Center uses the Byway to train athletes and hold competitions.

Woodlands Lutheran Camp – a 180-acre camp, conference and retreat center owned by the Florida – Georgia District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, which offers a wide assortment of recreational activities. The camp is open to the public and offers: Horseback riding, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis Swimming, Canoeing, Primitive camping, Full recreational vehicle hook up sites, Motel style rooms, Dining halls and meeting rooms, Bunkhouses, Cabins with heat and a/c. Woodlands is the home of the HeRD Program, or Horses for Riders with Disabilities, which teaches horseback riding to people with a wide range of disabilities. It is an official site for Special Olympics Equestrian training.

Town of Oakland – Majestic oak trees, historic landmarks and laid-back down-home living characterize this nearby beautiful small town located on the southern shores of Lake Apopka. Oakland is rich in history and remnants of its booming early years still stand today, including the Town Hall which was built as a bank in 1911. The West Orange Trail bisects the town and the new community of Oakland Park–the first green certified community in Central Florida. Visit the Town of Oakland website.

Oakland Nature Preserve – Enjoy a quiet walk on a 2/3 mile boardwalk leading through the wetlands to a covered pavilion on Lake Apopka. The preserve is located in the Town of Oakland and is open to the public from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM every day. Click here to start exploring.

Winter Garden – This nearby quaint and thriving city rich in history, at the southern end of the Byway in West Orange County, provides lots of recreation and events, restaurants, shops, and even a museum and a theater in its charming revitalized downtown area. The West Orange Trail bisects right through downtown, inviting their visitors to stop by for an ice cream cone or just window shop. Visit the City of Winter Garden website to learn more.

West Orange Trail – located at the southern terminus of the Byway. The trail offers a wonderful opportunity to walk, jog, bike or rollerblade in a countryside environment. Enjoy the majestic oak trees and historic landmarks in the Town of Oakland, or stop for lunch or ice cream in the charming downtown of Winter Garden. Click here to see the trail path.

There’s so much more to see and do. Enjoy the rolling hills of Florida, breathe the countryside fresh air and contemplate the beautiful vistas. You’ll have to remind yourself you’re still in Central Florida.