One of a pair of loop hikes within the Lake Overstreet Addition of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, the Ravine Trail partly traces the lip of a deep steephead ravine.
Relatively flat and firm, it makes a nice stand-alone hike of 2.2 miles from the Forest Meadows Trailhead along Merdian Rd.
Clay underlays parts of the pathwayA connector trail yokes it to the longer Lake Overstreet Trail its east, which has its own separate trailhead past the gardens parking area inside the main gate of Maclay Gardens.
Hike both from either entrance for a 6.2 mile walk, or simply enjoy this easy loop on its own as locals do, marveling at trailside trillium blossoms in February.
Trillium on the slope above the ravineResources
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Overview
Location: Tallahassee
Length: 2.1 miles
Trailhead: 30.53541, -84.28101
Address: 4750 N Meridian Rd, Tallahassee
Fees: Fee
Restroom: Portable toilet
Land Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-487-4556
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome; pick up after your pet. Trail shared with cyclists and equestrians.
Directions
From Interstate 10 exit 203, head north on Thomasville Rd (SR 61), getting across to the left turn lane to a left on Timberlane Rd. Drive west 1.7 miles to Meridian Rd and turn right. The Forest Meadows trailhead is another 2 miles on the left, with a turn-in before the crosswalk to the Lake Overstreet Trails.
Hike
Walk out of the Forest Meadows trailhead towards Meridian Rd, using the crosswalk to enter the Lake Overstreet Addition of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park.
The Ravine Trail begins past an entrance sign and iron ranger for park admission fee.
Entry pointMake a left to follow the broad path towards the pines, starting a clockwise circuit through a forest of pines and oaks.
Curve around to a marked crossing of the North Loop, one of the singletrack bike trails within the park.
North Loop junctionSouthern magnolias lend green to a wintery landscape. In February, violets peep from a swarm of their heart-shaped leaves.
Crossing the North Loop a second time, the path becomes more hard-packed as it makes a gentle curve, revealing the drop of the landscape to the left.
Hard-packed trailThis dropoff becomes more pronounced after several mild curves, the ravine revealed within this bluff forest.
Poison ivy and wildflowers keep the forest floor green. Trillium rise from the leaf litter, their velvety-crimson blossoms and varigated leaves distinctive.
TrilliumDrawing closer to the ravine, the footpath reveals how enormous it is, the forested slopes dropping out of sight into the steephead.
Hidden far below, waters rise and flow out of the ravine at marshy Gum Pond, crossed by the Lake Trail. They end up in Lake Overstreet.
Looking into the ravinePassing a bench, round another curve with an excellent view into the ravine before leaving its companionship for a dense grove of magnolias.
At a mile meet the junction with a 0.2 mile linear connector with the Lake Trail.
Connector junction at far end of Ravine TrailThis is your decision point for adding on the Lake Trail from this approach, resulting in a 6.2 mile hike.
To remain on the Ravine Trail, turn right. Walk past a massive live oak, reaching the East Loop singletrack crossing soon after.
Distinctive trailside oakThe understory becomes more dense, American holly and sparkleberry joining the mix of laurel oaks and pines.
A bench sits beside a straightaway ascent before a sharp curve right. Inspect the forest floor for late winter wildflowers among the leaves.
Trailside benchPass a beaten path to the left. Reaching the trailhead kiosk at the split-rail fences, turn left to exit.
Use the crosswalk to return to the Forest Meadows trailhead, completing a 2.2 mile hike.
Sealing the loopTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Alfred B. Maclay Gardens
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Explore a true Tallahassee treasure on gentle garden paths amid plantings dating back to 1923 or along well-trodden trails into wild woodlands along Lake Hall and Lake Overstreet. 
Maclay Gardens Lake Trail Behind the famed historic gardens at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, the Lake Trail loops Lake Overstreet on a well-trodden hilly loop with overlook stops.
Maclay Gardens Lake Hall Trails Walk among towering trees along a pair of nature trails starting at opposite ends of Lake Hall Recreation Area to savor the hardwood forests overlooking the lake. Video
Hiking the Ravine Trail
Slideshow
See our photos from the Ravine Trail
Nearby Adventures
Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park A hiker's paradise in Tallahassee, Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park offers miles of trails exploring contoured terrain and winding streams under a tall, shady canopy of majestic trees. 
Fort Braden Trails Showcasing bluff forests and deep ravines above Lake Talquin, the Fort Braden Trails at Lake Talquin State Forest offer enough hiking along a tiered trio of trails for a weekend in the woods.
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park Hike, bike, paddle, or fish along the well-marked trails of Lafayette Heritage Trail Park in a deeply wooded landscape east of downtown Tallahassee.
Silver Lake Trail A popular spot in the Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, Silver Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet hiking-only loop around glassy waters lined with stately cypress trees.
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