Chartered in 1981, the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail Association is one of the FTA’s largest chapters, with more than 600 members. Our active members lead and participate in many activities, including the popular TGIF “after work” hikes, Historical Hikes, an annual trip to Sapelo Island in Georgia, and the wintertime Wednesday Walks. Each New Year’s we “retreat” to the Ocala National Forest for a fun-filled gathering, enjoying hiking, biking, and paddling.

CHAPTER MEETINGS are held on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM at Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Orlando. No admission fee required.

DIRECTIONS: Exit I-4 at Exit 85 (old #43) Princeton Street and follow the signs. Princeton will dead end at Mills (Hwy 17-92). Turn right and go to the second traffic light (Virginia Drive). Turn left onto Virginia and go about one mile, following the curve to the left. The gate is at a traffic light on the left. Meetings are held inside the Garden House, typically in the Camellia Room.

CONTACT: Tom Regan, Chapter Chair - cathy_with_c@yahoo.com
                 Janet Walsh, Vice Chair - jwfta@mindspring.com

The Central Florida Chapter maintains the Florida Trail from Christmas (Seminole Ranch Conservation Area) to Seminole State Forest, including Orlando Wetlands Park. Spring Hammock Preserve, Lower Wekiva Preserve, and the Little-Big Econ State Forest.

Loop trails maintained include Canaveral Marshes Trail, Hal Scott Preserve Trail, Rock Springs Run Hiking Trail, Split Oak Trail, and the Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail.

DID YOU KNOW? The American Hiking Society named the Florida Trail in Little Big Econ State Forest as one of the top family-friendly hikes in the United States.

LITTLE BIG ECON STATE FOREST is a popular destination for day hikers in the Orlando metro area. Accessible from trailhead parking areas in Chuluota along Snow Hill Road and Oviedo at the Barr Street Trailhead off SR 426 and at Lockwood Road, Oviedo, the Florida Trail runs 7.3 miles through extraordinarily scenic terrain, following the river bluffs and river bottom forests along the Econlockhatchee River. Hikers enjoy unobstructed river views from several points along the trail, including the new Econ River Bridge on the Flagler Trail. With a trail shaded by towering cabbage palms, dense stands of cypress, and grand live oaks, it’s a hike you shouldn’t miss.

WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK is the busiest park in the Florida State Parks system, popular for picnicking, paddling, camping, swimming in the springs, and hiking. The Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail includes a deeply shaded 1.9-mile linear trail between Wekiwa Spring and Sand Lake, and a 7.2 mile loop trail through scrub, pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and hard wood forests that starts and ends at the Sand Lake parking area. Backpackers can take advantage of Camp Cozy, a scenic destination along Rock Springs Run.