It’s a mixed bag, and you’ll have to plan ahead. How may days does it take to Thru-hike Hikers typically face seven miles of water that’s knee- to waist-deep, although when I passed through in the fall of 2017, I only had to make it through one small section of mud. Many complete the journey in 60 days; however, if this is your first long-distance trek, you may want extra time. Not only does a January start date avoid lingering heat and winter holiday complications, but by January 3rd most hunting ends in South Florida… Plan to average about one mile per hour here, and it’s best to hike with at least one other person. But it’s not necessarily what you’re used to. For a longer hike, take the Woodpecker Trail, which is a 3.4-mile, paved trail. Billie Safari Swamp. Hiking down the river, the trail passes numerous rock outcrops 20 and 30 feet above the river along with beautiful white sandbars, offering great places to take a break. For places you can explore on foot, visit the Florida Trail Association. The Florida Trail, or FT, is one of our 11 National Scenic Trails. Occasionally the FT crosses private property and some of these land owners have stipulated that only members of the Florida Trail Association may hike on their property. Plan to average about one mile per hour here, and it’s best to hike with at least one other person. Florida National Scenic Trail. However, you will also have to follow 3.8 miles of the Appalachian Trail to get to Williamstown or North Adams. The mud was like quicksand, however, and I was alone. The trail passes through and near many towns, and the trail angel network is pretty robust. (If you continue on into Alabama, you’ll be on the Alabama Hiking Trail and the greater Eastern Continental Trail.). Spur trails to parking areas and campsites are generally blazed in blue. The Florida Trail Association trail maps detail the roadwalks as well as trail in the woods. *Edit 12/2015: This is one of my most popular posts and it was written in 2011. For more support possibilities, I strongly recommend joining the Florida Hiking Alliance Facebook page, as well as the most current Florida Trail Facebook page. Florida Trail hikers … The traditional northern terminus is in Fort Pickens to the west. If you plan to do the entire 1,300 miles in one go, allow up to three months. You can try hailing a passing boat for a (free) ride across, or arrange transportation with Shell Island Fish Camp. Named one of the United State’s most family-friendly hikes by the American Hiking Society, the Florida Trail’s Little Big Econ section is one any visitor to the Orlando area should seek out and enjoy. The trail has had some reroutes during this time. The thru-hiker may select which side of the lake they wish to walk. Q: If I am thru-hiking the trail, do I have to hike the roadwalks? The two biggest decisions are around Lake Okeechobee and the Orlando area. He had already completed a half-dozen major hikes, including the Appalachian Trail … Alternate Routes Alaqua East. In 1983, the path received its National Scenic Trail designation. The FT circles Lake Okeechobee from Clewiston on the south to Okeetantee in the north. Use the following checklist to determine what you should do in advance of hiking the length of the Florida Trail. Here is some info to get you started planning your Florida adventure. Today it is roughly two-thirds trail segments and one-third connecting road walks. It’s always nice to give back and join a trail association when you’re hiking its trail. Daily Mileage The final split comes near the northern terminus, in Eglin Air Force Base. This will exempt you from camping fees and the otherwise-required recreational use permit. I suffered through a road walk instead of a new, lovely trail section because I was looking at my paper map that day, not the app. If you stay at Shell Island Fish Camp, the boat ride may be discounted or free. For Eastern Continental Trail hikers an alternate route is available in the Panhandle. The Florida Trail, which can stretch 1,300 miles with the Florida Keys included, has gaps along the way. In 2017, I paid $25 for the (very short) ride. Most hikers take 60 to 90 days to complete the trail. Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) Preserved as Choctawhatchee National Forest in 1908, the rolling hills of Eglin AFB provide one of the most beautiful venues for backpacking in Florida. In high water years portions of the trail may have to be waded, cutting your mileage in half. A weekend hike on the Florida Trail through Ocala National Forest yields views of scenic prairies, companionship while camping and a taste of the "real Florida." Again, the thru-hiker may elect one or the other of these routes; they are not required to hike both. (I was a member of the Florida Trail 2017 page.). Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Florida Trail Association. Please check the most recent guidebook released from Florida Hikes and be sure to contact the Florida Trail Association in regards to reroutes and current closures. Map and GuideFlorida Trail Companion Guide for Long Distance Hikers ($12, floridatrail.org); Thru-Hiker’s Maps and Data Book ($100, floridatrail.org) Contact Florida Trail Association membership ($30) is required to hike on occasional private property: (352) 378-8823, floridatrail.org. It's near impossible to find clear, concise logistical trail data online, and that what makes The Florida Trail Guide so valuable to those going hiking in Florida. From the trailhead, hike east along the FT (follow the orange blazes) for 6.3 miles past estuaries, tidal creeks, and lowlands. Resupplying is generally not a problem. Most Floridians do not know the Trail exists, even those who live close to it. Click for grab-and-go map. The trail does offer some campsites, but not on a regularly spaced basis. There is also an Ocean-to-Lake trail spur that connects Lake Okeechobee with the Atlantic Ocean, and a path from Big Cypress National Preserve to Key West, part of the Eastern Continental Trail that links Key West with Cape Gaspé in Canada. The Florida Trail meanders between Crestview and DeFuniak Springs through dense forests where old-growth oaks and Also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Florida Trail provides permanent non-motorized recreation opportunity for hiking and other compatible activities and is … It is one of three National Scenic Trails that are entirely in one state. The Florida Trail is managed, protected and maintained by the Florida Trail Alliance (FTA) and a wealth of volunteers. January is a popular time to start a thru-hike, and often there will be a thru-hikers’ kick-off weekend in Big Cypress Swamp. Hikers are strongly recommended to hike with others. Because of unpredictable weather and hunting seasons in the fall, we recommend thru-hikes start in the south in early January and end in the north by April. Hiking the Florida Trail should not be frightening or strenuous, though, and new hikers have much to look forward to. Hikers often fly into Miami (east) or Naples (west); the trip takes about an hour from both locales. Section hiking the Florida Trail provides some logistical challenges, but a sense of satisfaction in being able to complete an 1,100-mile walk across Florida over time Thru Hike the Florida Trail A thru-hike in Florida takes 60-90 days through lush landscapes you won’t see on other long distance trails You'll find 28 miles of hiking trails to explore at this state park, but this short, one-mile-long hike takes you to the Suwannee River, where you'll see the Big Shoal Rapids. In some areas, all you’ve got are canals and ditches. Send a copy to the Seminole Tribe and keep a copy on you when on tribal lands. Both its trail segments and connecting road routes are marked. This site is about the nuts and bolts of planning and completing a thru-hike. The 8 mile round-trip hike to Alaqua Creek is an intriguing hike as it leads you through a … This means that, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Filtering doesn’t remove the color, but it tastes fine. Fill out a “hold-harmless” form provided by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, whose lands you will be crossing. Acting as the gateway to the Florida Birding Trail in … North-South or South-North? There are five campsites in the swamp. It may be a good idea to read accounts from other FT thru-hikers and see what their experiences were like. There’s free coffee in the morning and cold beer in the afternoon. Ask for the trail register at the bar. Step 1—Join the Florida Trail Association. Florida has a lot of water. The Florida Trail Alliance sells maps, clothing and more on its website. One route choice you will make is where the trail hits Lake Okeechobee. Certain sections of the trail also require permits or permissions, obtained in advance through the Florida Trail Association office (1-877-HIKE-FLA). This includes all roadwalks, if that is where the trail is routed at the time. 12.8 miles. This tiny store, seemingly in the middle of the woods but officially in Salt Springs, is a favorite spot with hikers. Contact the lockkeeper at Buckman Lock ahead of your arrival to coordinate your passage through, as the gate is locked. An Eastern Corridor thru-hike (eastern Lake O, eastern central FL, including roadwalks and excluding Blackwater side-trail) yields 1,287.9 miles. If you’re thru-hiking the trail, membership in the FTA is required. So depending upon which route you take, your mileage will vary. A: Currently there are several routing options available the thru-hiker. Experienced hikers sometimes are wary about tackling this trail, believing that any path running along mostly flat terrain isn’t worth hiking. It is therefore necessary for you to provide your own tent for your hike. A: Some long-distance hikers from other trails look down on the Florida Trail because of its lack of mountains and high altitudes. 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