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The Panhandle Chapter of the Florida Trail Association was formed in 1982 to serve the central and western Florida panhandle area. Later the Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters were created to serve the western end of the panhandle. Today the Chapter serves the central panhandle area of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Its trail endpoints are the Choctawhatchee and Apalachicola Rivers. The Panhandle Chapter’s Florida Trail is divided into three Sections, including, from west to east, the Pine Log Section, the Econfina Section, and the Chipola Section. The first major job of the Panhandle Chapter, in the late 1980s, was to build eight miles of wilderness trail passing through Pine Log State Forest. Their next challenge, in the late 1990s, was to construct 19 miles of wilderness trail through the Econfina Creek Water Management Area. In the mid 2000’s, the FTA and Panhandle Chapter adopted the Blountstown Greenway as part of the Florida Trail, and in 2009 Blountstown became one of the Florida Trail’s Gateway Communities. The Panhandle Chapter hosts informative and entertaining monthly meetings and interesting monthly recreational hikes and water-related activities. Some of the Chapter’s most popular annually-scheduled activities are the Hike to the Springs, the Pine Log Gathering, the Moonlight Hike, and the Flower Hike every April at the height of the mountain laurel and wild azalea bloom. For those so inclined, the Chapter welcomes support from volunteers to help with construction and maintenance of our trails and bridges.
Serving Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties CHAPTER ACTIVITIES: The Panhandle Chapter hosts informative and entertaining monthly meetings and interesting monthly recreational hikes and water-related activities. Some of the Chapter’s most popular annually-scheduled activities are the Hike to the Springs, the Pine Log Gathering, the Moonlight Hike, and the Flower Hike every April at the height of the mountain laurel and wild azalea bloom. For those so inclined, the Chapter welcomes support from volunteers to help with construction and maintenance of our trails and bridges. CHAPTER MEETINGS: Panhandle Chapter meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, 6:30 PM at the Palms Conference Center, 9129 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL 32407. To find the Palms Conference Center: from Panama City, cross Hathaway Bridge (Highway 98). Pass through the Thomas Drive light and immediately get in the left lane to Front Beach Road. Proceed another 1 ½ miles. The Palms Conference Center is on the left at the Joan Ave intersection, across from the Zoo, in the Sleep Inn parking lot. Enter through the Lounge entrance at the side of the smaller building facing the larger Sleep Inn building. CONTACTS: The 8-mile stretch of Florida Trail in the Pine Log Section passes through the lovely Sand Pond Recreation Area and trailhead, parallels Pine Log Creek for a short distance, follows the site of the 1820’s historic Military Road for a couple hundred yards, passes through stately pine flatwoods, and leads hikers through the dark and mysterious Luke’s Trail. The trail through the Pine Log Section passes within about a half mile of the small town of Ebro, where through hikers can find a motel, convenience store, sandwich shop, and post office. 
The 19 miles of Florida Trail in the Econfina Section lead hikers through rugged ravines and tunnels of mountain laurel, an experience similar to a walk in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, especially in spring when the flowers are in bloom. Much of the trail follows Econfina Creek through wooded areas of lush vegetation. The trail crosses beautiful Fender and Two Penny Bridges, and passes by an impressive waterfall. Primary access points are at the Scott Rd trailhead, off US 231 north of Fountain; and the SR 20 Trailhead near Pitt Spring, on SR 20 between SR 77 and US 231. The highlight of the Florida Trail as it passes through the Chipola Section is the beautiful Blountstown Greenway, a paved, 3 ½ mile multi-use trail that leads hikers and cyclists from Sam Atkins Park on the west side of town through the center of town and down to the banks of the Apalachicola River. One of the most popular attractions of Blountstown is the Panhandle Pioneer Museum and Settlement at the west end of the Greenway and adjacent to Sam Atkins Park. Blountstown, now a FT Gateway Community, also provides through hikers with a post office, motels, several restaurants, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Over the years the Chapter has constructed dozens of bridges, mostly within the Pine Log and Econfina Sections. These bridges range from 6 to 60 feet in span, and most are in remote, nearly inaccessible areas. Of these many bridges, two amazing suspension bridges in the Econfina Section, known as Fender and Two Penny, are especially revered for their beauty by hikers far and wide. |
The Association 
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Incorporated in 1964, the Florida Trail Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization that builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the 1,400 mile Florida Trail, one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service. Our volunteers also build and maintain other trails on public land, known as the Florida Trail System. With 18 local chapters, FTA provides educational opportunities for people to learn to appreciate and conserve the natural beauty of Florida, as well as recreational opportunities for hiking and camping.
(850) 832-6627 
