HAPPY TRAILS

THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE QUIET SERENITY A WALK THROUGH THE WOODS CAN BRING. THE SOUND OF BIRDS CHIRPING, GRAVEL AND LEAVES CRUNCHING UNDER FOOT. MARION COUNTY OFFERS AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL TRAILS TO EXPLORE, MANY OF WHICH ARE PART OF A GREATER TRAIL SYSTEM, THE FLORIDA NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL.

BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

The National Trails System was founded through a congressional act in 1968. Through the National Trails System Act, four types of long-distance trails were designated, including national scenic trails (NSTs), national historic trails (NHTs) and national recreation trails (NRTs). Since the inception of the system, congress has established 19 NHTs and 11 NSTs. “We are lucky to have the Florida National Scenic Trail (commonly known as the Florida Trail) in our state,” says Kelly Van Patten, trail program director. “The trail is in the same family as the Appalachian Trail and the Oregon Trail, and it was designated by Congress in 1983.” The rst orange blaze of the Florida Trail, though, was painted in 1966 right here in the Ocala National Forest at Clearwater Lake. The work to create the Florida Trail Association, however, began two years earlier.

“The founder of the Florida Trail Association (Jim Kern) once hiked the Appalachian Trail and came back and decided we should have something similar in Florida,” says Kelly. “A group of Boy Scouts and some of the organization’s founding volunteers created the rst section of the trail.”

Then came the work of guring out how to connect various sections of the Florida Trail together. The manual labor is hard work, clearing brush to cut in sections of the trail. The Florida Trail, in its entirety, is roughly 1,500 miles long and stretches from Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle to the Everglades down south. The Florida Trail, according to Kelly, actually refers to sections of trails that are hosted on more than 100 di erent properties throughout the state. When combined, those paths make up the Florida Trail.

“It’s a patchwork,” she says. “We work with private landowners, state parks, water management areas and more to add and connect sections of the trail together.”

Volunteers, though, are the heart and soul of the Florida Trail. With just 10 permanent employees at the FTA, the trail’s upkeep and maintenance is reliant on the hundreds of volunteers who work the trails.

“Every foot of trail has to be maintained every year,” says Kelly. “The trails need to remain open and passable.”

Some work by clearing the land itself, while others put their various skillsets to use, including building infrastructure like footbridges or suspension bridges. There are 19 volunteer chapters that help maintain and establish the trail, including the Sandhill Chapter here in Marion County. The chapter maintains the trail from Suwanee River State Park west to White Springs and along the Cross Florida Greenway between Dunnellon and the Eastern-West Corridors junction in the Ocala National Forest. “Marion County actually has more miles of the Florida Trail than any other county in Florida,” says Kelly. “It’s very signi cant for residents of Marion County to have so many accessible points.” Chances are if you’ve hiked any trails in Marion County, you’ve probably already experienced the Florida National Scenic Trail. The Marion County portions of the trail meander their way through the Ocala National Forest and alongside the Cross Florida Greenway. Marion County’s portions of the trail o er a variety of ecosystems, including pine atwoods, prairies, sandhills and the Big Scrub area. Following along the well-maintained footpath, you’ll notice the orange swatches (known as blazes) painted on the trees and posts, indicating the direction of the trail. “The orange blaze is the quintessential marker for the Florida Trail,” says Kelly, “but there are also blue swatches that lead to campgrounds and water resources and white swatches that allow for a high-water alternative or loop back to the main trail.” Every year some 374,000 people walk some point of the Florida Trail. Another 75 to 100 set out to walk the entirety of the trail, which takes about two and a half months to complete and is no easy task.

“Most start this trek in January in Big Cypress National Preserve swamp in the Everglades,” says Kelly. “Here hikers walk

MARION COUNTY ACTUALLY HAS MORE MILES OF THE FLORIDA TRAIL THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY IN FLORIDA. IT’S VERY SIGNIFICANT FOR RESIDENTS OF MARION COUNTY TO HAVE SO MANY ACCESSIBLE POINTS.

-KELLY VAN PATTEN, TRAIL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

through anywhere from a couple inches to a few feet of water. It sounds intimidating, but it’s an otherworldly experience—it feels like you’re on another planet. It’s challenging, but completely worth it to experience this portion of the trail.” Traveling north, hikers will cross a Seminole reservation, water management districts and work their way around Lake Okeechobee. One of Kelly’s favorite sections of the trail is next: the Kissimmee River area. “This portion of the trail really showcases the quintessential Florida. You’ll see sugar plantations, historic cattle ranches, citrus groves, live oaks and more. It’s beautiful.” Moving into the Central Florida area, you’ll nd a mix of pine atwoods. Some of the trails in this portion of the state (and a few in the panhandle) give way to paved road walks.

North Florida and into the panhandle, the trail features a variety of elevation changes and passageways such as suspension bridges before nishing with a beach walk at Gulf Islands National Seashore Beach. “We are currently working with agencies and real estate developers to reroute portions of Central Florida and the panhandle,” says Kelly. “About 270 miles of the trail are currently road walks. Our agency partner, the U.S. Forest Service, oversees route planning, land acquisition and funding.” Regardless of where you are in Florida, minus the Florida Keys, chances are you’re within an hour’s drive of a section of the Florida Trail, and whether you’re a resident or a visitor, it’s worth the short trip to take a stroll through the woods.

“The Florida Trail allows you to see parts of the state that, especially if you’re a tourist, you may not normally see when just passing through. This is wild Florida, and there are a variety of very diverse ecosystems waiting to be explored. There’s something to be said for the pace and the peace of walking the Florida Trail.”

Florida Trail Association // oridatrail.org // To volunteer or learn more about the Sandhill Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, visit oridatrail.org, click on “about us,” “chapters” and “sandhill.”

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

There are a few apps that highlight and help you traverse national trails. One favorite is Guthook Guides. The app is free, but keep in mind some of the maps, including The Florida Trail, cost money to download. The app includes maps, photos, current trail route updates, points of interest along the trail and more.

KEEPING THE KIDS SAFE

The Florida Trail Association has the following tips for a fun day of hiking with the kiddos.

1. Pack Light – Give the kids a small bag or backpack to carry. Include a drink, poncho and healthy snack to keep them going.

2. Whistle While You Walk – Give each child a whistle and train them that it’s for emergency use only should they get separated from the group.

3. Snack Healthy – Skip the chips and go for granola bars, dried fruit or trail mix.

4. Hydrate! – Bring a re llable water bottle and make sure it’s full of ice water when you set out on your adventure.

5. Dress Up – Put your youngsters in bright colors. You want them to stand out, not blend in with the woods.

6. Be prepared – Weather changes fast— especially in Florida. Have child-sized rain ponchos on hand. And don’t forget the sunscreen, too.

7. Be Goal Orientated – Choose your hikes based on the reward at the end. Think a beautiful lake or waterfall, or maybe a picnic spot or playground. It gives everyone something to work for and look forward to.

8. Update Your Kit – Add child-sized medicines and dosages to your rst aid kit, including insect sting sprays and bandages.

9. Play The Quiet Game – Let your little one’s know that you’re more likely to see wildlife when you’re quiet.

10. Leave No Trace – Carry an empty bag to collect litter along the way.

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