Using portions of the original backpacking loops built in the park by Florida Trail Association volunteers decades ago, the White Loop is well-marked and easily followed thanks to their ongoing maintenance.
It traverses an impressive array of natural communities, a diverse medley of scrub, wetlands, and pine flatwoods.
Hiking through pine flatwoodsAtop ridges of ancient sand dunes, Florida scrub-jays are common, with nesting families documented.
A satisfying day hike, it’s also a gateway for backpackers to three campsites in the backcountry along the 61-mile Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail extending to Lake Okeechobee.
A dense understory of scrub covers the ridgesResources
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Overview
Location: Hobe Sound
Length: 8 miles
Trailhead: 27.0118605, -80.1122356
Address: 16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound
Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Restrooms: Privy at trailhead.
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 772-546-2771
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
You must check in with park rangers before backpacking to ensure that there is space remaining at the backcountry campsites, which are busy on winter weekends.
Directions
From the intersection of Indiantown Rd and Interstate 95, head east on Indiantown Rd. for 1.1 miles before turning left onto Center St. In 2.3 miles, turn left at A1A, continuing for 1 mile before making another left onto US 1. Stay straight on US 1 for 3.7 miles, then turn left into the park entrance. Follow the main park drive for 1 mile to the Camp Murphy trailhead.
Hike
Beginning at the Camp Murphy parking area, head west on the main park drive for a short distance, crossing the railroad tracks before reaching the loop trailhead.
Beyond a kiosk featuring a map of the route, follow a narrow pathway with white blazes leading into the woods.
White Loop trailheadThe trail winds through a patchwork of wet flatwoods and seasonal sloughs before emerging at the edge of a scrub community.
Shrubby myrtle and scrub oaks thrive in the dry, sandy soils, attracting laurel dodders, an interesting parasitic vine native to South Florida.
Oaks covered in laurel doddersDeeper into this desert-like ecosystem, distinctive calls of Florida scrub jays emanate from the low, dense vegetation.
Occasionally, these raspy cries are followed by a trailside investigation from one of the curious birds.
Florida scrub jayTurning westward to leave the ancient sand dune, the trail drops in elevation before tracing along the edge of a long slough.
At 3.9 miles, the path joins a short section of the Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail. The orange blazes of this trail run 61 miles, from Lake Okeechobee to the beach at Hobe Sound.
Trail junctionCross a few seasonally wet dips as the trail passes through a slough. White blazes lead southward across a small bridge and into scrubby flatwoods.
In a vast savanna of pine and saw palmettos, trailside benches offer a quiet spot to take a rest.
Resting spot in the scrubby flatwoodsA multitude of wildflowers bloom throughout the year in this fire-dependent natural community.
Florida pennyroyal produces clusters of tiny lavender flowers in the spring while goldenrod, blazing stars, and vanillaleaf are covered with vibrant yellow and purple inflorescences each fall.
Blazing stars in bloomCrossing the paved main park drive, the trail joins an access road leading past a distant cypress strand, heading eastward.
Short boardwalks and bridges span a pair of soggy sloughs that drain south to the Loxahatchee River.
At 7.7 miles, the trail takes a sharp left turn, paralleling the train tracks for a quarter mile before completing the loop.
Slough bridgeTrail Map
Blue: River Trail. Brown: Multiuse Trail. Purple: Camp Murphy Trails (beginner).
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