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Sand pine scrub with deer moss on forest floor

Florida Trail, Ocala West | Ocala National Forest

Articles about and destinations along the Ocala West section of the Florida Trail, which connects the Cross Florida Greenway to the Ocala section in the Ocala National Forest as the northernmost part of the Western Corridor.

Circling Central Florida on the Florida Trail

Canoe Creek Road Florida Trail

September 12, 2015    Sandra Friend

East vs. West: which is best? I hiked both as a loop, so here’s a rundown of how the two corridors of the Florida Trail compare through Central Florida – and a little trail history.

Florida Trail, CR 314 to Eaton Creek

Crooked boardwalk through swamp

Florida Trail, Western Corridor  |  Ocala National Forest
( 29.203035, -81.977989 )      11.4 miles

11.4 miles. In the damp southwest corner of the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Trail navigates boardwalks across a swampy subtropical jungle.

Florida Trail, Eaton Creek to CR 316

Florida rosemary and sandpine

Florida Trail, Western Corridor  |  Ocala National Forest
( 29.269437, -81.87353 )      11.9 miles

11.9 miles. North of Eaton Creek, the Florida Trail showcases spectacular sand pine forests and unique species adapted to this arid environment within the Big Scrub.

Ocala National Forest

Florida Trail north of Farles Prairie

Astor, Salt Springs, Silver Springs, Paisley, Palatka      ( 29.25738, -81.681137 )      

Established in 1908 as the first National Forest east of the Mississippi, the Ocala National Forest is a mecca for hikers and campers, and the birthplace of the Florida Trail

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

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