When North Florida and the Florida Panhandle experience severe flooding along major rivers and their tributaries, add in icy temperatures and it’s a recipe for hypothermia for hiking on trails that parallel or cross river and stream basins.
These issues affect the Florida Trail along the entire length of the Suwannee River, as well as portions of the Florida Trail throughout the Panhandle. It’s critical you check river levels before you hike any of these sections.
Florida Trail, Suwannee For 78 miles along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery.
Florida Trail, Apalachee Bay 14.3 miles. Hugging the Big Bend coastline, this hike through Aucilla WMA and St. Marks NWR offers some of the most breathtaking panoramas you'll find along the Florida Trail, and a profusion of wildlife.
Florida Trail, Aucilla River 9 miles. Endearingly scenic, surprisingly rugged, unlike any other piece of the Florida Trail, this trek along the Aucilla River showcases some of Florida's top natural features.
Florida Trail, Aucilla Sinks 4.4 miles. Winding through a geologically weird and archaeologically significant part of Florida, the most fascinating segment of the Florida Trail is the Aucilla Sinks
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River 4.1 miles. Following the gentle curves of the Sopchoppy River in the Apalachicola National Forest, this section of the Florida Trail is one of the most scenic hikes on the trail.
Florida Trail, Bradwell Bay 12.3 miles. You're guaranteed to get wet on Florida's roughest, wildest day hike. Situated south of Tallahassee, the Bradwell Bay Wilderness is one of the most majestic and wild places in Northwest Florida.
Florida Trail, Bradwell West to Porter Lake 6.8 miles. A connective piece of the Florida Trail centered on the Langston House trailhead, this stretch of trail marries wet flatwoods with roadwalking as it crosses the Ochlockonee River.
Florida Trail, Altha 1.7 miles. Following Bauldree Branch to the bluffs of the Chipola River, the Altha section of the Florida Trail is a fabulous destination for spring wildflowers.
Florida Trail, Econfina Creek 18.4 miles. Winding along rolling hillsides north of Panama City, the Econfina Creek section of the Florida Trail offers a challenging hike with stunning views of its namesake creek.
Florida Trail, Choctawhatchee River 8.5 miles. Crossing majestic longleaf pine forests in Nokuse, the Florida Trail along the Choctawhatchee River floodplain showcases natural beauty from Cypress Creek to Seven Runs.
Florida Trail, Eglin East 41.8 miles. Simultaneously rugged and scenic: that's the beauty of a backpacking trip across the Alaqua, Catface, and Titi sections of the Florida Trail in Eglin Air Force Base.
Florida Trail, Yellow River Ravines 10.9 miles. An acrobatic adventure, the Florida Trail Yellow River Ravines section between Holt and Milton tosses tricky swamp traverses and creative creek crossings your way.
Florida Trail, Blackwater The 45 mile Blackwater section of the Florida Trail walks through Atlantic white cedar and longleaf pine forests, pitcher plant bogs and titi swamps to reach Alabama.For up-to-date information on flood conditions throughout North Florida and Florida’s Panhandle, monitor the flood gauge maps provided by NOAA:
Suwannee River area
Tallahassee region
Pensacola region
If a river is in flood stage, do not attempt to hike the trails near it. This goes for not just the Florida Trail but also all other day hikes and nature trails in the floodplain zone.
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