The trailhead and parking area are located in Lake Talquin State Forest on SR 20 (Blountstown Highway) approximately 9.2 miles west of SR 263 (Capital Circle West) in Tallahassee. Hike along rolling hills and sometimes rugged slopes deeply shaded by hardwood forest, with occasional views of Lake Talquin.
The Fort Braden Trail is one of the more unique in northern Florida because it passes through both hardwood forests and cut-over uplands being restored with wiregrass and longleaf pine. The trail traverses the north-facing southern slope above Lake Talquin, giving the hiker the opportunity to enjoy a remnant beech-magnolia hardwood forest. This forest is cut with many crystal clear, sand-bottom seepage streams which flow from the toe of the slope to Lake Talquin. Northern hardwood trees found along the trail include tulip poplar, beech and magnolia. The three-mile long western loop trail passes several big trees including a huge tulip poplar near its southwestern corner. The three-mile long center loop follows ravines and seepage streams and passes by an abandoned fish camp as it follows the Lake Talquin shoreline. The four-mile long eastern loop offers the most solitude as it passes through the tract's largest hardwood forest. It crosses upland pine areas along the south, creeks and ravines on the east and west, and it follows the lake shore for nearly one-half mile on a grassy lane. The line of cypress trees just off shore in Lake Talquin is called "The Iron Curtain." The trees outline the original Ochlockonee River channel as it was before the river was dammed to create the lake. At several locations, hikers and equestrians share the same trail, and the hiking and equestrian trails cross each other many times. This trail opened on National Trails Day 1995.
The Fort Braden Trail is one of the more unique in northern Florida because it passes through both hardwood forests and cut-over uplands being restored with wiregrass and longleaf pine. The trail traverses the north-facing southern slope above Lake Talquin, giving the hiker the opportunity to enjoy a remnant beech-magnolia hardwood forest. This forest is cut with many crystal clear, sand-bottom seepage streams which flow from the toe of the slope to Lake Talquin. Northern hardwood trees found along the trail include tulip poplar, beech and magnolia. The three-mile long western loop trail passes several big trees including a huge tulip poplar near its southwestern corner. The three-mile long center loop follows ravines and seepage streams and passes by an abandoned fish camp as it follows the Lake Talquin shoreline. The four-mile long eastern loop offers the most solitude as it passes through the tract's largest hardwood forest. It crosses upland pine areas along the south, creeks and ravines on the east and west, and it follows the lake shore for nearly one-half mile on a grassy lane. The line of cypress trees just off shore in Lake Talquin is called "The Iron Curtain." The trees outline the original Ochlockonee River channel as it was before the river was dammed to create the lake. At several locations, hikers and equestrians share the same trail, and the hiking and equestrian trails cross each other many times. This trail opened on National Trails Day 1995.