• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

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

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Oaks and pines

Torreya Challenge Loop

An atypical hike by Florida standards, the aptly named Torreya Challenge Loop offers 7 miles of tough terrain and a scenic blufftop backpacking campsite.

Torreya State Park  |  Bristol
( 30.559320, -84.949841 )      7.0 miles

464 shares

Protecting over 13,700 acres of rare habitats alongside the Apalachicola River, Torreya State Park is a unique destination in the Florida Panhandle.

Two loop trails showcase the variety of landscapes within the park, with the Torreya Challenge Loop having the highest elevation changes.

The Challenge Loop can be accessed from approach trails for a day hike or added to the Rock Creek Loop for an overnight backpacking trip.

orange azalea blossom Florida flame azalea blooms in spring


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Bristol
Length: 7 mile loop
Trailhead: 30.559320, -84.949841
Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Restrooms: At the picnic area on the main drive
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-643-2674

Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed pets welcome. Pay your entrance fee at the iron ranger as you enter the park.

Footpath thru vegetation


Directions

 
From Exit 166 on Interstate 10, head south on Flat Creek Rd for 3.2 mile, and turn right onto Audie Clark Rd. In 1.1 mile, turn right onto Sycamore Rd and continue for 10.2 miles. Turn right onto NW Torreya Park Rd and follow it 2.6 miles to the park entrance. The trailhead is immediately on the left after passing through the main gate.

Hike

Starting at the junction of the connector trail and Rock Creek Loop, head east to the Torreya Challenge Loop.

Follow blue blazes along the half-mile approach trail as it crosses over two ridges that seem to foreshadow the terrain to come.

Sign in underbrush Blue connector trail


At the first orange blaze, turn right to begin a counterclockwise loop on the Challenge Trail.

The path crosses a small stream before ascending over a hilly landscape of sweetgum, magnolia, hickory, and spruce pines.

Wet greenery Mixed forest


As the elevation changes increase, a greater variety of flora presents itself as well. Florida anise flourishes on the slopes, covered with red blossoms in the springtime.

Coral bean stalks sprout from the understory with flowers similar in color but much different in shape.

Starburst-shaped blossoms in red Florida anise


The trail follows a steady pattern of climbs and dips into steep ravines, many of which have a steady-flowing creek at the bottom.

Bridges span these little waterways, in various stages of repair. Some are sturdy, while others may be better to avoid, chancing wet feet instead.

Bridge canted and broken Crooked Bridge


After a particularly steep ascent to a sort of plateau, the trail follows an old forest road for a bit, passing a bench along the way.

Reaching an edge of this formation, the trail narrows again and begins a quick descent down the side of a ravine, crossing one of the larger tributaries to Rock Creek at the base.

Wet trees along old road Forest Road


Across the creek, a steady, tough climb begins up to the next plateau. Although it is not the steepest grade, it is one of the longest.

At the top, a sign for the Challenge Campsite is a welcome sight, especially if staying the night.

Sign to backpacking camp Challenge Camp Sign


The Torreya Challenge Backpack Camp is a little over a quarter-mile east of the trail.

It is an exceptional destination for an overnight stay, nestled under a dense canopy on the edge of a bluff. Reservations for this campsite can be in advance online.

Campfire and tent Torreya Challenge Primitive Campsite


Heading north from the campsite side trail, the path drops down a gradual slope, turning left before reaching the bottom.

The trail meanders through tall trees while following a ridge, and mountain laurels bloom alongside the path in early spring.

White blooms of mountain laurel Mountain Laurel


A makeshift walkway crosses over a shallow creek at the end of the ridge before the trail weaves through a soggy area lined with tall brambles of blackberries.

After crossing a sturdy bridge, the trail begins a slow ascent, following a forest road for a short distance.

Creek crossing Shallow creek


Leaving the forest road, the grade increases substantially, requiring a steep though quick climb to the top.

A panoramic view awaits atop of this clay incline, providing a spectacular sight and a good resting spot.

Steep clay slick Climbing clay cliffs


At this point, the remainder of the Torreya Challenge Loop is mostly downhill.

For the next mile, the trail is generally under a shady canopy as it descends to a well-constructed bridge over Rock Creek.

Shortly after crossing the bridge, the loop ends at the blue-blazed connector trail.

Footbridge in dense forest Bridge Over Rock Creek


Trail Map

Torreya State Park trail map
The Torreya Challenge Loop is the eastern loop on this map

Explore More!

Learn more about Torreya State Park

Floodplain forest at Torreya

Torreya State Park

Perched on bluffs above the Apalachicola River, Torreya State Park is one of Florida’s first state parks, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s

View from river bluffs

Torreya Rock Creek Loop

Traversing rugged terrain through steep ravines above the Apalachicola River, the Rock Creek Loop at Torreya State Park offers distinctly scenic landscapes in a botanically-rich corner of Florida.


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Tupelo swamp Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Camel Lake to Savannahs

5.3 miles. Wet feet are expected on this traverse of the pine savannas along the edges of Johnson Juniper Swamp in the Apalachicola National Forest, where careful inspection along the Florida Trail yields a bounty of carnivorous plants.

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

77.9 miles. Florida’s largest national forest, Apalachicola is a very lush place, which means soggy feet and spectacular botanical diversity south of Tallahassee.

Lake Talquin Ravine Trail

Ravine Trail

Part of the Terry Rhodes Trail System, the Ravine Trail at the Bear Creek Tract of Lake Talquin State Forest clings to the edges of a large steephead ravine

Angus Gholson Nature Park

Angus Gholson Nature Park

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.

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Northwest Florida, TrailsTag: Blountstown, Botanical, Bristol, Chattahoochee, Dog-friendly, Florida State Parks, Geology, Hilly, Primitive Camping, Torreya State Park

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

NORTHWEST FLORIDA OVERVIEW
Florida Trail

Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.
Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook
Five Star Trails Gainesville & Ocala guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Guides Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Pitcher plant slope

Florida Trail, Hutton

Florida Trail, Hutton
Waterfall at Weeping Ridge

Weeping Ridge Trail

Weeping Ridge Trail
Blooming season at Maclay Gardens

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Longleaf pines

Torreya Hiking Trail

Torreya Hiking Trail

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

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

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coral Gables. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2022, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact