The Longest Hiking Trail of Florida

Florida is not known to have temperate weather. Florida can sometimes be extremely hot. It is not uncommon to see Christmas at 80 degrees. In the summer, it is also not uncommon to see temperatures exceeding 100. Surprisingly, there are still people willing to brave the elements and hike the longest Trail in Florida. Florida is full of beautiful ecosystems that are perfect for hiking enthusiasts. The Florida Trail is the longest hiking trail in Florida. It passes through many of these.

What are some Florida Habitats?

Florida habitats include the coastal, forest, prairie and scrub areas.

jo Crebbin/Shutterstock.com

These are the five most well-known Florida habitats:

• Coastal- The point where the sea meets land. Not all shorelines are the same.
• Forest- Get lost in the trees or blocked by the bushy shrubs.
• Prairie- Large stretches of grassland in Florida’s prairies can become swampy when it rains.
• Scrub- Florida’s desert is the most important habitat. These areas are composed of small trees and shrubs that look like a scrub in low-lying areas.
• Wetlands – Our most invasive areas are the wetlands. These are usually swamped, regularly flooded, and host all kinds of life.

We now know some facts about Florida’s habitats. Let’s find out about the longest hiking trail in Florida.

The Florida Trail: Facts

There is nothing like walking through the Florida wilderness, with its majestic oak trees and Spanish moss sleeves. The Florida Trail is the longest Trail to remain within a single state.

This longest Trail in Florida, the Florida National Scenic Trail, is fully titled. It is also one of eleven named Scenic Trails. The eleven trails can be found in the United States Geological Survey.

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Ice Age National Scenic Trail
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
• Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
• Florida National Scenic Trail
• Arizona National Scenic Trail
• New England National Scenic Trail
• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Because it is peak season from October to April, the Florida Trail is the best for winter hiking. Florida’s warmer climate makes this season more appealing.

The Florida Trail, which measures 1,500 mi, is the longest state-wide Trail. Many of the popular trails in Florida are smaller sections of the Florida Trail. It consists of the Southern, Central, Northern, and Panhandle regions.

Locals love to explore the small loops and areas in these regions.

The Florida Scenic Trail opened in 1966 to the public. Thus began the Florida backpacking journey.

Where can I find the Trail?

The Florida Trail is only an hour away from most of Florida. The Trail has many access points. The Trail has two loops and two spurs. Loops are the places where the trail splits and then reunites again. Spurs are small trails that lead to dead ends and branch off from the main Trail.

The Florida Trail passes through numerous state forests and preserves. These are vital because they help maintain nature’s integrity in a state human have overrun.

Some maps show all sections of the Trail and the access points for the brave forester.

Some sections of the Trail can be accessed in other ways than walking. Here’s a complete list of all sections of the Trail.

• Big Cypress- 38.3 miles
• Seminole – 56.2 miles
• Okeechobee – 112.8 miles
• Kissimmee – 111.3 miles
• Orlando- 148.0 mi
• Ocala- 72.3 Miles
• Western Corridor- 241 miles
• Northeast Florida – 123 miles
• Suwannee- 74.8 miles
• Big Bend- 116.2 miles
• Apalachicola- 77.9 miles
• Central Panhandle- 99.3 miles
• Eglin- 98.3 miles
• Blackwater – 45.5 miles
• Seashore Dunes – 32.3 miles

These sections will help you see the Trail’s route through Florida.

What’s the Florida Trail like?

The Florida Trail begins with the most difficult section and ends with an easy walk.

For those not living in Florida, it can be difficult to imagine what hiking in the Sunshine State might look like. It’s not just walking along the beach for three months. No, it’s not.

We can see the Trail from the beginning of this article.

Florida is flat. There are hills and valleys all along with the state. It is primarily simple. It is less flat than the rest of the state, so you can feel like you are on a hill. These hills can be seen against the skyline and feel like mountains, even though they are not as high as hills in other states.

Many hikers start their journeys at the Big Cypress Swamp. You can find it right in the middle of the wetlands. This is the hardest hurdle to overcome. You can then explore the rest of Florida’s diversity.

The forests will be interspersed with prairie grasslands as you hike. The most common part of the terrain is scrub. It is a mixture of both the prairie grasslands and forests. You will see the sky ahead for much of your trek.

The Florida Trail is unlike any other. The Florida Trail is a three-month-long journey that covers the entire route. It’s a satisfying and beautiful trip with no difficulty.