11.2 miles. One of the narrowest high-speed highways that the Florida Trail follows, CR 12 into Bristol connects the Apalachicola National Forest with the Apalachicola River and the Central Time Zone.
Our Florida Trail Books & Guides
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Overview
The Florida Trail’s initial northern terminus was set at the west end of the Apalachicola National Forest.
When the terminus was pushed farther west in the 1980s, the only way to cross the Apalachicola River was to walk up CR 12 into Bristol to use the highway bridge on SR 20.
That’s what thru-hikers and section hikers still must do today to complete an end-to-end hike of the Florida Trail.
While this region is quite rural, a surprising amount of high-speed traffic, especially logging trucks, uses this road.
Trip Planning
Whenever roadwalking on the Florida Trail, wear a bright orange or yellow safety vest so as to stand out to motorists.
Always walk facing traffic and step off the highway when vehicles approach. Assume that motorists, if they see you at all, see you as an obstruction, not as a hiker.
The southern portion of this roadwalk is in the middle of the Apalachicola National Forest.
Check hunt dates as a part of your trip planning, and always wear bright orange clothing during hunting seasons.
Directions
In Bristol, the closest place to park near the Apalachicola River Bridge is a small grassy pulloff off the eastbound lanes of SR 20 coming off the bridge. The next closest place is the Apalachee Restaurant along SR 20 (ask before leaving a car there). Public parking is available along SR 20 at Theo Jacobs Rd at Veterans Memorial Park. All of the above options are day use only unless otherwise arranged at the park. For the start of this hike, from the traffic light along SR 20 in the town of Bristol along the Apalachicola River, drive south 10.1 miles on CR 12 to reach the Savannah trailhead.
Hike
Only thru-hikers and section hikers need to take on this segment of the Florida Trail. A narrow road with no bike lane and lots of logging trucks makes this one of the more unnerving roadwalks along the FT.
There is a sawmill about halfway up CR 12, which is why there is so much logging truck traffic.
There are several spots with bridges where you can take a break on a guardrail, away from traffic.
The store at CR 333 is defunct, but TJ’s at Lake Mystic has snacks, drinks, and hot meals. Look for the Citgo sign.
Once you are north of TJ’s and the Bristol Baptist Church, a sidewalk appears on the west side of the highway.
Make use of it to get to SR 20, which you follow west to the river. Sidewalks run briefly along SR 20 towards the Trammel Bridge.
The Apalachee Restaurant offers regular AYCE buffets and is a favorite of long distance hikers traversing the Florida Trail.
Southbound / Northbound
Florida Trail, Camel Lake to Savannahs 5.3 miles. Wet feet are expected on this traverse of the pine savannas along the edges of Johnson Juniper Swamp in the Apalachicola National Forest.
Blountstown Greenway Connecting neighborhoods, parks, and services within a historic Apalachicola River town, the 3.4 mile linear Blountstown Greenway incorporates a segment of the Florida Trail.Explore More!
Learn more about the Apalachicola section of the Florida Trail
Florida Trail, Apalachicola In Florida’s largest national forest, this 78 mile segment of the Florida Trail through the Apalachicola means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.Video
A visual walk-through of our roadwalk on this section
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Camel Lake to Savannahs 5.3 miles. Wet feet are expected on this traverse of the pine savannas along the edges of Johnson Juniper Swamp in the Apalachicola National Forest. Blountstown Greenway Connecting neighborhoods, parks, and services within a historic Apalachicola River town, the 3.4 mile linear Blountstown Greenway incorporates a segment of the Florida Trail.
Garden of Eden Trail Try one of Florida's toughest day hikes on for size: local legend has it this was the Garden of Eden, and from the lush forests and rare flora along this trek, they might be on to something.
Torreya State Park Perched on bluffs above the Apalachicola River, Torreya State Park is one of Florida’s first state parks, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s
- Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park - November 3, 2026
- A.J. Henry Park - November 1, 2026
- Okeeheelee Nature Center Trails - October 22, 2026