Florida National Scenic Trail

Florida National Scenic Trail

Florida National Scenic Trail
4.5
About
A scenic hiking trail that runs continuously from the Big Cypress Swamp in Southwest Florida to the Panhandle west of Tallahassee.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles12 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Ranger145
Silverton, CO444 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Couples
Hiked a section located on the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation and loved walking amongst old Florida nature! The path is well marked and level with several water crossings in swampy areas. Be aware if the platforms are wet they can be a bit slippery.
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FLHarlock
Tavares, FL4,830 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Solo
Back to hiking my favorite trail with Trailmaster Buc. The best section for me is where the original Florida Trail began back in 1966. Starting at Clearwater Lake and ending 26 miles later at Juniper Springs. Starts out with sandy, pine covered hills and then drops you down into beautiful wetlands along Spring Creek. Best hiking in Florida. Tons of wildlife as well. Surprised to see so many deer out during hunting season. Lots of hunters too. If you hike here in the winter, be sure to wear bright clothing. Alexander and Juniper Springs areas are “safe zones” but we’ve still run into hunters there. Always an adventure on the FNST!
Highly recommended!
Written December 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FLHarlock
Tavares, FL4,830 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Solo
Spent weekends this spring hiking Florida Trail through ONF with Trailmaster Buc. In a word.. EPIC! This trail is well blazed with a constant change of scenery. There are lots of sites as well. Beautiful lakes, rivers, springs, sinkholes, prairies, even historical graves. I already love this forest and FNST is by far the best way to experience it. Just get outdoors and give it a chance.
Highly recommended!
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FLHarlock
Tavares, FL4,830 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Solo
This trail is absolutely amazing! I've hiked sections all over central Florida and have never had a bad time. Well maintained and clearly blazed, always in orange. Today my bff Buc and I hiked from Pruitt Trailhead in Dunnellon to Ross Prairie. 12 miles round trip with water and restrooms only at the trailheads. Most of the trail is along a ridge about 30 ft high, which makes for an awesome hike. Saw deer, bobcat, woodpecker, owl, and a pack of wild hogs right on the trail! Another great hike on the FNST.
Highly recommended!
Written April 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mary1_B1
126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
My husband and I enjoy coming out here with our dog. So far every other person I have encountered in the are has been pleasant. This is a nice way to get back to nature.
Written May 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rick T
Panama City, Panama8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Family
This is one of the best kept secrets in the Panhandle of Florida. The Econfina section, especially the upper from the Scott Rd Trail head South is beautiful. There are suspension bridges and a waterfall. If you have a keen eye you may even see the grotto where magical little people live.
Written March 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

George E
Pensacola, FL382 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2014 • Friends
What is this about? I have lived here for 15 years, and I know of no "continuous trail" through this area. Looks like some reviewer was misinformed. And all of it is in Alachua County, contrary to what some have said.

The pictures are of the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, a 17-mile paved multi-use (mostly bicycle) trail stretching East from the SE corner of Gainesville. The GHT passes through the North Rim of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and allows users access to some really interesting wild areas. There are two overlook points, with vistas of the basin of Paynes Prairie, and these are worth a trip in themselves.

Be careful on weekends, however, because once the University students wake up, the Trail can become overly busy. Many users do not know the rules of the Trail, and ride in a thoughtless and dangerous manner.

There is an actual hill on this trail, a rarity in Florida. Most folks ride just the West half, turning around in Rochelle. The East half is all on a former railroad right-of-way, so is flat and straight.

There are many wildflowers, even some in the Winter. On rare occasions you might see such wildlife as deer, raccoons, gopher tortoises, wild hogs, etc. Do not even think of feeding any wildlife, or particularly of killing any snakes you find. The penalty, if you are caught, can be distressing.

Managed by Florida's impoverished State Park Service, the Trail has maintenance issues. Nevertheless, it is worth a drive of many miles to ride on this trail. The Ranger Station for the managing Park can be reached at 352.466.3397. The person on duty may not have much information about the Trail, which is located at the far side of this very large Park.

A bicycle is recommended for access to this Trail, but a hike out to the Alachua Lake Overlook from the La Chua Trailhead at the South end of SE 15th Street is a do-able couple of miles.
Written March 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David_Grant1
Gainesville, FL36 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2013 • Friends
If you are in Gainesville with access to a bike, I suggest you take some time out of your travels and head to the Hawthorne Trail. I enter the trail from S Main Street, just ten blocks south of University Ave. An early stop on the trail is Boulware Springs, complete with clean restrooms and a drinking fountain. I have included a picture in case you can't find it upon leaving the trail. If you are feeling energized, you can bike the 15m to Hawthorne although there is not much there to see.
Written September 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allan S
Philadelphia, PA37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Couples
Great place to ride a bike even if you are scared of snakes. Trails through the prairie go for miles
Written August 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vince D
North Port, FL43 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Couples
The great trail stretches along a great deal of land and three counties. Full of shaded, cool walking and nature to see all around. Easily found and has many access points. Worth a visit...no matter where you enter, you won't be disappointed!
Written July 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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FLORIDA NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Florida National Scenic Trail