One of many possible hikes at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, this triple loop uses scenic singletrack to tie two of the showiest trails together.
The immersive Ford Loop delights on its own with tunnel-like passages under a sand live oak canopy and enormous oaks and pines on its perimeter.
Pair it with the stunning panoramas of Spruce Creek from its high bluffs on this sometimes rugged hike.
Spruce Creek from the Bluffs TrailKaye Access makes an excellent starting point as it’s easily accessed by paved roads in New Smyrna Beach, unlike the more remote Martins Dairy trailhead on the west side of the preserve.
The often-steep terrain makes this a major destination for singletrack as well as equestrians, so expect to share the trails, especially on weekends.
Kiosk for the start of this hike at Kaye AccessResources
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Overview
Location: New Smyrna Beach
Length: 3.6 miles
Trailhead: 29.069077, -80.985288
Address: 2317 Creek Shore Trail, New Smyrna Beach
Fees: Free
Restroom: Portable toilets nearby
Land manager: Volusia County
Phone: 386-736-5953
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Insect repellent strongly encouraged.
All trails are open to hiking, off-road biking, and equestrian use except where posted. Some bike trails are one-way only.
Directions
From Interstate 95 exit 249 at New Smyrna Beach, follow SR 44 east a half mile and turn left on Sugar Mill Dr. After 1.3 miles make a right on Turnbull Bay Rd. Passing Martins Dairy Rd, continue 2 miles to Creek Shore Trail, just before the railroad tracks. Turn left and continue 1.1 miles to the preserve entrance on the left. Continue straight ahead where the road curves, and park somewhere between the big trail kiosk near the fence and the trail opening in the woods.
Hike
From the kiosk in front of a fenced grassy expanse, walk towards the wooded edge of the parking area.
A trail marker beckons down a broad path into the oak hammock, with a sign for the Ford Loop at a T intersection.
Entrance to the Ford LoopTurn right, quickly entering deep shade under an archway of sand live oaks lined with saw palmetto.
This picturesque corridor meets a T intersection with a path coming in from the grassy area. Turn left. Oak leaves pop and crackle along the broad path.
Picturesque corridorDescending slowly around curves, the trail meets a triangle intersection at a tall southern magnolia at a half mile.
Bear right, leaving the Ford Loop for a wide, shaded connector between crisscrossing singletrack loops, passing a junction marked SC4-E.
Broad connectorWatch for an opening on the left that reveals an orange sign topped with a bell and head for it.
The admonition to ring the bell is for cyclists and equestrians; hikers take far longer to cross the ravine.
The bell before the descentDescend sharply to a causeway over a waterway flowing into a marshy cove of Spruce Creek, edged by Virginia willow, cattails, and giant leather fern.
The narrow bridge is the pinch point for fast-moving trail users. Climbing up the bluff on the opposite side, reach a sign pointing to the West Trailhead.
Causeway bridgeSkip the trail to the left and the singletrack on the right, staying with what feels like the main trail through the bluff forest.
Largely shaded by magnolias, oaks, and cabbage palms, it rapidly narrows and makes curves through the woods, doubling back on itself at one point as singletrack tends to do.
Curving singletrack climbAscending all the while, finally emerge at a four-way trail intersection after 1.1 miles. Across the way is marker SC-22W. Turn right.
Following a well-worn sandy strip under power lines, pass what will be your return trail on the right, directly across from a singletrack on the left.
Four way junction under power linesThe path you are on descends, curving along the edge of another marshy cove on Spruce Creek.
Start the climb to the bluffs as the trail swings away from the cove, brushing through palmetto fronds under the oaks. The thinned canopy speaks to the ravages of past hurricanes.
Low spot along the coveGlimpses of the creek basin begin on the right during the ascent. Sand pine scrub tops the bluffs, with a thicket of scrubby understory beneath the lower canopy of oaks.
Ambling beneath draperies of Spanish moss, come to an incredible overlook on a horseshoe curve in Spruce Creek at 1.3 miles. A bench sits in the shade not far past it.
Horseshoe curve in Spruce CreekThe slow, curving ascent of the bluffs continues. Archaeological surveys in 1885 confirmed a 52-acre mound complex topped these heights, part of an indigenous village dating to 800 AD.
While what remains of those middens is beyond this loop, examining maps at the kiosks will give you an idea of the extensive array of trails to plot loops along in this preserve.
Glimpses of the creek continueThe sinuous curves and blue waters of the creek are frequently visible beyond a thin screen of vegetation as the curves of the Bluff Trail continue.
The next overlook provides a broader overview of the horseshoe curve and residences on the far shore of Spruce Creek in Port Orange.
Pausing for a photoYoung sand pines pepper the sandy path with short needles. Narrowing, the path draws close to a creek basin panorama visible through the trees.
Past a blaze post, tall grasses edge the trail, which tunnels through the scrub understory before emerging at the final overlook at 1.6 miles.
The view down the steep bluffs is as impressive as the panorama across the waterway. Another bench adjoins in a small clearing.
Final overlookPast this overlook, the fence along the bluff ends. The Bluffs Trail turns towards the West Trailhead to tie into the greater system of more than ten miles of mazy loops.
Unless you’ve plotted out a route to take you farther, turn around and walk back along the bluffs, savoring a second look at the views through the trees and from the overlooks.
Turn around where the trail leaves the bluffsAt 1.8 miles, just shy of the easternmost overlook, a trail sign on the right calls your attention to a parallel singletrack. Step over to it and turn left.
Its descent is far more gentle than the one on the Bluffs Trail. Pass junctions with other singletrack trails before reaching the sand road under the power line at 2 miles. Cross the road to continue.
Junction at power lineWhile narrow, this particular loop of singletrack is one of the showiest in the preserve. It curves and descends under a high canopy of forest.
Reaching a palm hammock above Spruce Creek, new views across the creek open up along gentle descents. There is a spot to walk out to the water’s edge.
Spruce CreekTurn to parallel the cove in the creek, passing under towering southern magnolias. Then it’s time to ascend through this lush habitat, with glimpses of the marsh in the cove.
Reach the top of the causeway crossing past the SC21-W sign at 2.5 miles. Turn left, walking downhill past the sign with the bell.
Descent to the causewayOnce across the causeway, go straight ahead to meet the doubletrack trail you took to the causeway and make a right. Meet the Ford Loop again at 2.6 miles.
Continue straight past a sheltered bench, ambling by an interpretive sign about gopher tortoises.
Rejoining the Ford LoopCabbage palms grow profusely through this hammock. Both they and slash pines tower to incredible heights.
Turning to parallel a fence, walk beneath these giants and past massive live oaks. Ferns and lichens smother their fallen brethern.
Under the tall treesCurving away from the property fence at 3 miles, enter a corridor defined by saw palmetto under lyonia and a variety of oaks preferring drier ground.
Interlocking their limbs, the oaks form a tunnel effect. Pines hidden by this canopy of shade carpet the footpath with their fallen needles.
Canopied pathAt a T intersection with a bench at 3.4 miles, turn left. Longleaf pines grace this last stretch of the scrub-edged corridor up to the end of the Ford Loop.
At the sign, turn right to exit to the parking area, completing this 3.6 mile hike with a return to the trailhead kiosk.
Nearing the end of the loopTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve
Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve Protecting miles of frontage along the sinuous path of Spruce Creek, Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve offers a diverse collection of trails to explore. Video
Hiking the Ford Loop
Slideshow
See our photos from this hike
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