Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

.Apalachicola River

A Walk with Angus Gholson

May 1, 2007    Sandra Friend

While researching Exploring Florida’s Botanical Wonders, I had the honor of a visit to Angus Gholson’s herbarium in Chattahoochee, as well as a guided hike through the new Gholson Nature Park, a wonderland of rare wildflowers.

Angus Gholson Nature Park

Chattahoochee      ( 30.697700, -84.849189 )      1.0 miles

Above the Apalachicola River, the community of Chattahoochee hides a natural treasure in its deep ravines—a park named for its native son, botanist Angus Gholson.

Apalachicola

Around Apalachicola, the “Forgotten Coast” is dotted with parks, forests, and refuges along US 98 and the barrier islands, none of which are easily accessed from Tallahassee or Panama City.

Apalachicola National Forest

Tallahassee      ( 30.177157, -84.678564 )      

Noted for its botanical beauty, the Apalachicola National Forest is the largest National Forest in Florida, sweeping south and west of Tallahassee

Blountstown

Proud of its heritage as a river town, Blountstown sits on the western bluffs of the Apalachicola River and is a trail town along the Florida Trail. It is the seat of Calhoun County.

Blountstown Greenway

Blountstown      ( 30.445661, -85.045109 )      3.9 miles

Connecting neighborhoods, parks, and services within a historic Apalachicola River town, the paved 3.9-mile Blountstown Greenway includes a segment of the Florida Trail

Bristol

A small rural community on the eastern bluffs of the Apalachicola River, Bristol is the northwest gateway to the Apalachicola National Forest and a trail town on the Florida Trail.

Chattahoochee Nature Trails

Chattahoochee      ( 30.69904, -84.856655 )      2.0 miles

Chattahoochee Nature Trails system treats hikers to an exploration of botanically-rich habitats along bluffs and ravines near the Apalachicola River and an archaeological site towering over the river’s edge.

Fort Gadsden

Sumatra      (  )      0.9 miles

At Fort Gadsden, a gentle walk in the Apalachicola National Forest leads you through the well-interpreted historic site and a pine forest where wildflowers thrive.

Garden of Eden Trail

Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve  |  Bristol
( 30.454700, -84.970433 )      3.3 miles

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