A conservation acquisition success story, Bellini Preserve is the result of several partners coming together.
They include Polk County and Conservation Florida along with the preserve’s namesake family.
When the nearly 640 acre property went up for sale in 2020, Conservation Florida quickly identified its hydrological importance, and critical habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge.
Waterfront on Lake MarionThe Bellini Family moved fast to buy the land while other agencies worked out the details.
In 2024, the preserve opened to the public, complete with a large parking area and extensive set of trails.
Trails are clearly marked with colored discs on postsResources
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Overview
Location: Poinciana
Length: 5.7 miles
Trailhead: 28.072861, -81.516556
Address: Lake Marion Creek Dr, Poinciana
Fees: Free
Restrooms: None
Land manager: Polk County
Phone: 863-534-7377
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Directions
From US 17 in Haines City, head east on E Johnson Ave for 3.9 miles before turning right onto Lake Marion Creek Rd. Make a left onto Midway Rd in 2.3 miles and turn left onto McMan Rd after a sharp turn in the road. In 0.8 mile, turn right onto Lake Marion Creek Dr, and the parking area will be on the right in 1.4 miles.
Hike
Staring the hike at a walk thru next to a large metal gate, head westward toward a set of signs flanked by gnarled oaks covered in Spanish moss.
Continue straight, following blue trail markers along Blueberry Lane, a wide, sandy path lined with beautyberry, saw palmettos, and a variety of wild blueberries.
Trail signageThe trail winds southward through a scattering of bay and slash pines surrounded by dense patches of lyonia before reaching an intersection at 0.3 miles. Turn right.
A gentle slope leads towards Lake Marion, where the trail crosses a small bridge before reaching a bench along the grassy shoreline.
Bench alongside Lake MarionContinuing northward, the distinct scent of vanillaleaf fills the air as swallowtails drift across the path.
Although pines are scarce in this section, shining sumac, fetterbush, and goldenrod reveal elements of a pine flatwoods ecosystem that appears to be undergoing habitat restoration.
Reaching the next junction at 0.7 miles, a turn to the right leads back to the trailhead, while turning left heads deeper into the preserve.
Goldenrod in the flatwoodsAt the mile mark, another crossroads provides the option to shorten the hike along the Lakeview Loop or add another 4.4 mile round trip along the Buck Rub Run.
Orange trail markers lead the way on the Buck Rub Run. Cross a canal before climbing onto a sandy ridge topped with scrub hickory.
Winding northward, the trail crosses two more canals before hugging a fenceline near the road and emerging at the edge of a sand pine forest.
Wooden bridgeOpening to an old pasture dotted with prickly pears, paw paws, and sun-bleached cow bones, marked posts indicate the trail as it crosses undulating terrain.
Meet beginning of a loop at 2.4 miles. Turn right to start a counterclockwise circuit around the loop, where a rough path leads through scrub oaks to the edge of a dry canal.
Old pastureReindeer moss covers the edges of the canal, and Florida rosemary thrives in xeric conditions at the top.
Across the sandy depression, a pine needle strewn pathway passes through shady stands of sand pines before reaching the north end of the loop.
There, it curves towards another scenic bench overlooking Lake Marion.
Florida rosemaryColorful wildflowers adorn the western side of the loop, including blazing stars, milkweeds, and blacksenna.
Closing the loop at 4 miles, continue southward, retracing footsteps for another 1.4 miles to the Lakeview Loop and turn left, returning to the trailhead in another quarter mile.
Blazing star in bloomTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Bellini Preserve
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