Part of the Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest between Inverness and Brooksville, the Annutteliga Hammock Unit is divided into two parcels.
Its southern parcel has a hiking-only loop. While much of the Citrus Tract encompasses open sandhills, the Hammock Trail traverses strikingly different habitat with generous tree cover.
Primitive hike-in tent camping is a little less than a mile from the trailhead. Reservations required in advance.
Access roadResources
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Overview
Location: Brooksville
Length: 4.8 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.67993, -82.45162
Address: Citrus Way, Brooksville
Fees: $3 per person
Restrooms: No
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 352-797-4140
Open 8 AM – 8 PM. Leashed dogs allowed. Call the office prior to camping for reservations.
Seasonal hunting permitted. Check ahead regarding hunt dates and wear bright orange if hiking during hunts.
Directions
From US 19 south of Homosassa, head southeast on US 98 for 8.4 miles, then turn left onto Citrus Way. In 2.1 miles, the trailhead will be on the left side of the road. Alternatively, take US 98 north from Brooksville to reach Citrus Way.
Hike
Starting at the trailhead kiosk, pass through the gap alongside a large metal gate, following a gravel service road westward.
An impressive variety of trees including oaks, sweetgum, musclewood, and cedar flank the trail, clustering together to create a shady canopy.
Trailhead kioskThe access road ascends gradually before reaching the main loop at 0.3 mile, where a wooden sign displays a set of arrows facing in each direction.
Turn left. Yellow blazes lead southward, crossing over exposed chunks of limestone while weaving between cabbage palms and lichen-covered tree trunks.
Exposed karstApproaching 0.8 mile, the trail enters an open area where painted yellow rings on trees indicate the primitive camping area.
A kiosk at the south end displays the camp zone and loop trail on a map, along with information about Annutteliga Hammock.
Camp zone signCutting eastward through dense tree cover, the marked route passes an old trailhead before joining a forest road and descending towards a seasonally soggy portion of the trail.
The sound of approaching hikers sends deer bounding through the woods, while lizards and snakes quickly dart away into thick underbrush.
Yellow rat snakeAt 2.5 miles, the trail turns northward, reaching a junction with the north and south loops. Pass a section of higher ground where tall pines rise above the hardwood hammock.
In another half mile, yellow blazes indicate a turn to the east where the trail crosses increasingly undulating terrain.
Pine forestOn the north end of the loop, gnarled oak branches covered in resurrection ferns and Spanish moss arch overhead as sinkholes and limestone boulders appear alongside the grassy path.
Finishing the yellow blazed trail at 4.2 miles, turn left to retrace your steps along the service road for another 0.3 mile to return to the trailhead.
Limestone bouldersTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Withlacoochee State Forest
Withlacoochee State Forest With more than 155,000 acres spread over several counties, Withlacoochee State Forest is Florida’s second largest state forest, and arguably the most popular for outdoor recreationVideo
A walk on the Hammock Trail at Annutteliga Hammock
Nearby Adventures
Citrus Hiking Trail 39.1 miles. Savor a rugged hike through rolling hills and rocky terrain on one of Florida's longest backpacking loops when you take on the Citrus Hiking Trail near Inverness
Fickett Hammock Preserve Delving deep into a hardwood hammock with towering trees, discover a wonderland of botanical beauty at Fickett Hammock, a cradle of unusual species north of Brooksville.
Annutteliga Hammock Conservation Area Part of a wildlife corridor between the Withlacoochee River and the Gulf of Mexico, Annutteliga Hammock Conservation Area protects 570 acres of sandhills, scrub, and prairie immediately east of Chassowitzka WMA.
Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract Discover the beauty of May's Prairie at the heart of the Chinsegut WEA Conservation Center Tract, a vast wetland where sandhill cranes gather.
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