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Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

After crossing rural farms and forests in the Big Bend, the Florida Trail reveals the secrets of the Aucilla River before tracing the Gulf coastline at St. Marks NWR


<< Suwannee HIKING DETAILS Apalachicola >>

Closing the Florida Trail Big Bend Gap

Florida Trail closure notice

April 28, 2017    Sandra Friend

How do we close the gap in the Florida Trail between the Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers? Learn the history of how the trail was developed and routed through that region, the discussions going on now, and a potential solution for future protection of the trail corridor.

Florida Trail, Apalachee Bay

Pinhook River Bridge on the Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Big Bend  |  Florida Trail, St. Marks East
( 30.1556, -83.99935 )      14.3 miles

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

Aucilla Rapids

Florida Trail, Big Bend  |  Aucilla River WMA
( 30.255878,-83.863892 )      9 miles

9 miles. Endearingly scenic, surprisingly rugged in places, and unlike any other piece of the Florida Trail statewide, this trek along the Aucilla River showcases some of Florida’s top natural features in one hike.

Florida Trail, Aucilla Sinks

Aucilla Sinks

Florida Trail, Big Bend  |  Aucilla River WMA
( 30.20092, -83.92469 )      4.4 miles

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, Shepherd Spring

Shepherd Spring

Florida Trail, Big Bend  |  Florida Trail, St. Marks West
( 30.145603, -84.254211 )      5.3 miles

5.3 miles. Plunging into coastal swamps at the Cathedral of Palms, this popular hike along the Florida Trail centers on Shepherd Spring, a natural treasure within St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Hiking to Marsh Point

Marsh Point

September 17, 2015    Sandra Friend

At St. Marks NWR, Marsh Point captures the essence of Florida’s Gulf coastline. But hikers are missing it because the bridges are out.

Madison

Madison

Nestled against the Georgia border, the easternmost corner of Northwest Florida is Madison County, with its county line defined on one side by the Suwannee River.

Permanent closure of the Florida Trail between Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers

Kelly 28 Rd

July 30, 2015    Sandra Friend

A permanent closure of 55 miles of the Florida Trail between the Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers leaves thru-hikers no alternative but a very lengthy roadwalk

St. Marks Coastal Loop

St Marks NWR Forest Road 200

Florida Trail, Big Bend  |  St. Marks
( 30.1544, -84.2041 )      22.2 miles

Using the Tallahassee-St Marks Trail, the Coastal Trail, and the Florida Trail, ride a scenic 22-mile loop between the St. Marks and Wakulla River floodplains along the Big Bend

The Florida Trail: A History

The Florida Trail book interior pages

How to order a copy of The Florida Trail: Florida’s National Scenic Trail, our limited edition full-color coffee table book that tells the comprehensive story of the first 50 years of routing, building, maintaining, and enjoying our statewide National Scenic Trail.

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Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail

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