Florida Trail System

Q: What is the difference between the Florida Trail, the Florida National Scenic Trail, and the Florida Trail System? 
A: The Florida Trail is the continuous trail that begins in Big Cypress and ends at Gulf Islands National Seashore, including the loop around Lake Okeechobee, the loop in the center of the state, the trail from Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic Ocean, and the spur trail from Harold to the Alabama line.  It is maintained by Florida Trail Association members. Someday the Florida Trail and the Florida National Scenic Trail will be one and the same.  Currently, only those sections which have been certified as National Scenic Trail receive funding from the USDA Forest Service.  These sections are marked in orange on the Florida National Scenic Trail brochure.The Florida Trail System includes the Florida Trail plus loop and side trails in state parks, state forests, wildlife management areas, water management areas and other public lands, which are also maintained by Florida Trail Association volunteers. 

Hiking Season

Q: When is Florida’s hiking season?
A: The hiking season in Florida runs basically from late October through April. Because of unpredictable weather and hunting seasons in the fall, we recommend thru-hikes start in the south in early January and end in the north by April. This schedule will avoid almost all general gun hunting restrictions and place your hike during the winter “dry” season. 

Trail Length

Q: How long is the Trail?
A: There are several answers to this question. For thru hikers, hiking from one end to the other, the mileage ranges from 1,089 to 1,136, depending on which routes they take.  The total mileage including both National Scenic Trail certified and non-certified is 1,501.  The mileage varies slightly every year as local maintaining chapters relocate parts of the Trail, working to take the FT off of private property and roads and into a protected corridor (certified as National Scenic Trail). 

Trailheads

Q: How do I get to the Florida Trail?
A: The northern terminus of the Florida National Scenic Trail is at the Fort Pickens parking lot of the Gulf Islands National Seashore just south of Pensacola.  The southern terminus is on Loop Road (SR 94). Access to Loop Road is available from Tamiami Trail (US 41), 55 miles west of Miami Courthouse, 42 miles west of the Florida Turnpike, and 52 miles east of Naples.  There are numerous trailheads along the length of the trail which are specified on each map.