Within an open countryside of cattle pastures surrounding the historic community of Holopaw, Triple N Ranch provides a glimpse of Florida’s past.
In the Great Osceola Savanna, there are vast pine flatwoods sprinkled with prairie ponds. Cypress domes dot much of the land, divided by winding floodplain forests.
Orchid in the Crabgrass Creek floodplainThe Florida Trail Association maintains a system of loop trails across this landscape along with a linear section of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
There are several options to explore the property. Blue blazes denote the Triple N Loop, a 7.1 mile route that showcases the most scenic locations.
Shared section of trails in the flatwoodsThe 2 mile White Loop and 2.5 mile Yellow Loop utilize forest roads and portions of the Triple N Loop, offering shorter, less challenging hikes.
Entering the property from neighboring Bull Creek WMA to the east, the orange blazed Florida Trail spans a linear 10.5 miles.
Triple blazed palmLinking with Holopaw Neighborhood Park to the northwest, this section of trail is part of a planned regional reroute developed over the past decade.
It does not yet connect with the statewide route of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Florida Trail kiosk at Holopaw Neighborhood ParkResources
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Overview
Location: Holopaw
Length: 7.1 miles
Trailhead: 28.130556, -81.020639
Address: 10320 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, St Cloud
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At the trailhead
Land manager: FWC
Phone: 888-404-3922
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome.
Seasonal hunting occurs throughout this forest. Check ahead before you make plans for outdoor recreation.
Directions
From Kissimmee / St. Cloud, follow US 192 east towards Melbourne. Continue 3.6 miles past the turnoff for US 441 south at Holopaw to the preserve entrance on the right.
Hike
Starting at the trail register across from the hunt check station, head towards a metal gate in the fence and look for blue and white blazes to begin the loop counterclockwise.
Heading westward, a grassy corridor weaves between a pair of cypress domes before opening to vast pine savannas covered in a sea of saw palmettos.
Trailhead and registerThousands of tiny carnivorous sundews, butterworts, and bladderworts dot the forest floor, thriving in the damp and sunny conditions of a mesic pine flatwoods.
Reaching a junction where the White Trail branches off to the south at 0.2 mile, continue following blue blazes towards a distant wall of cypress trees.
Pine prairie and cypress dome in the distanceThe path curves southward, passing through a slice of wetland between two domes where it emerges on the other side to a wide prairie of tall golden grasses.
As the trail enters a tree line at the far side of the prairie, orange blazes marking the Florida Trail continue west.
Stay with the blue and orange blazes that indicate the Triple N Loop as it takes a sharp turn to the left.
Loop junction with the Florida TrailTall columns of cabbage palms gradually replace pines while approaching the edge of a dense hardwood hammock surrounding a nearby seasonal creek.
Following along the floodplain of the creek, the trail delves into a shady canopy of sweetgum, oaks, and sweetbay magnolia.
In this subtropical environment, dark green shoestring ferns hang from palm bootjacks while butterfly orchids cling to any rough surface they can take hold.
Shoestring fern and wild coffee in the hammockAt 2.7 miles, a sign and trail register mark a section of the route known as Cathi’s Trail.
This especially tough segment is dedicated to a long-time Florida Trail Association member who was instrumental in the creation of this trail.
On the descent deeper into the floodplain, tall cypress trees appear alongside trickling streams of tannic water.
Cathi’s Trail signFooting becomes increasingly difficult to navigate as the trail winds across undulating and sometimes muddy terrain.
It climbs out of the wetland forest into the edges of pine flatwoods to get around exceptionally swampy spots.
Diminutive bluffs appear at bends in the creek where water loving plants cling to rich soils on the opposite bank.
Golden club at a bend in the creekAs the trail reaches a confluence of the smaller stream with a larger tributary to Crabgrass Creek, a multitude of cypress knees protrude from the ground.
Waist-high waterlines reveal how just how deep the water rises in the wet season.
A luna moth in the floodplainAt 5.5 miles, the footpath passes another sign for Cathi’s Trail before turning to follow a short span of forest road where the Florida Trail branches off to the south.
Follow the yellow and blue blazed trail eastward across a section of pine flatwoods to a tricky spot where the trail doubles back on itself.
Large bald cypressPick through a soggy floodplain, crossing the deepest flowing water on a small bridge.
Leaving the shade of the hammock, begin a gradual ascent from the swamp a dry, scrubby flatwoods habitat.
Bridge crossingA grassy corridor transitions to white sugar sand bordered by a shrubby forest of sand live oak and lyonia.
Lupines and paw paws border the trail, producing showy flowers in early spring.
Paw paws in the scrubby flatwoodsTurning northward where the trail meets a crushed shell road at 6.8 miles, continue along the road.
In 0.3 mile, the yellow, white, and blue blazes lead back to the trailhead, completing this 7.1 mile loop.
A carnivorous butterwort in a small trailside bogTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Triple N Ranch
Nearby Adventures
Florida Trail, Bull Creek WMA Following a significant tributary to the St. Johns River, the Florida Trail through Bull Creek WMA showcases history and botanical beauty.
Lake Lizzie Conservation Area Hugging the eastern shore of Lake Lizzie, Lake Lizzie Conservation Area encompasses more than a thousand acres, a vast mosaic of prairies, pine flatwoods, and scrub forest. 
Prairie Lakes Loop Enjoy the counterpoint of moss-draped oak hammocks and expansive prairies at Prairie Lakes along one of the older and more beloved pieces of the Florida Trail.
Sunset Ranch Trail A well-marked path showcases various habitats found at Three Lakes WMA as it winds across a cypress slough and shady oak hammocks to the shoreline of Lake Marian. 
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