Published by Sarah Wyatt, Florida Trail Thru-Hiker
The Florida Trail, complete with an Eastern Corridor and a Western Corridor, is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning about 1,500 miles. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days.
Region: Southeast (Florida State Parks and National Park Service) Length: Approximately 1,500 miles (60-90 days)
Physical Difficulty: Easy
- Trail can be rocky and muddy
- Most sections are flat and uncomplicated
- Few PUDs
Logistical Difficulty: Easy
- Fees for segments crossing US national parks; hikers should consider buying annual/military passes.
- Northern Terminus (Pensacola) is simple to access
- Many road crossings and easy resupply opportunities
| Miles / Day (average) | Days to complete (rounded up) |
| 10 | 150 |
| 15 | 100 |
| 18 | 83 |
| 22 | 68 |
| 25 | 60 |
| 30 | 50 |
While hiking the route is free of charge, but you will need a permit to cross in a few segments, such as at Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Check the permits section of the Florida Trail website for more information.
Hiking the Florida Trail
There are only seven shelters on the trail, so bring your own tent. Each Corridor by itself is approximately 248 miles long. Thru-hikes on the Eastern Corridor, including road sections, total 1,287.9 miles. Thru-hikes on the Western Corridor, inclusive of road sections, total 1,286.63 miles.
Approximately one-third of the Florida Trail is under trees, winding through national forests and verdant state parks for hundreds of miles. The Panhandle is somewhat more challenging than Peninsular terrain.
Most of the trail has minimal human-made direction by intention. The system is conservative with the quantity of both signage and blazes, but there is enough to adequately point you in the right direction. You cross major streets and highways several times—useful for resupply—and you’ll appreciate Florida’s knack for balancing conservation and convenience. The system has the helpful Friends of the Florida Trail (FoFT) that works hard to care for the route and offer resources.
Our initial week (about 150 miles) had a Gulf States or “Floribama” feel. Thin layers of felled pine needles and Spanish moss obscured some portions of the course, so we were cautious at those times since this made the walk a little slippery. This was slightly awkward but not unpleasant, as traces of sand offered some traction. The trail is incredibly well-marked for the most part, with plenty of warnings for off-limits detours such as near military bases.
After the first few days (heading east), the trail is a lot easier to follow and the terrain is milder. The climbs and descents are always less than 300 feet. Because of the lack of elevation gain, switchbacks are rare.
We hit a few bushy sections around Seminole County. This was rough, since it wasn’t just overgrown, but dense with thorns and briars. But for the most part, the trail is tidy. Some sections are framed with thick ferns and Spanish moss, while others have towering oak and pine trees.
As you cross south into Orange County, the ranchlands and sky seem to expand and offer a glimpse into Florida’s pioneer history and culture. In addition to native wildlife, the quirky feral fauna, such as peacocks, make appearances throughout. The area is dramatic and vast—those who view Central Florida as a theme-park destination are treated to its agrarian and rural sides.
The final 24.6 miles in Big Cypress South stretch through a great swamp of dwarf pond cypress and traverse pine islands. This section is Florida at its “boggiest,” but there is no elevation gain. It’s worth the slogging for the bragging rights.
The route is known as “the best trail in America you’ve never heard of.” While 350,000 people enjoy piecemeal sections of the trail each year, estimates suggest that this path draws fewer than 1,000 thru-hikers annually. We encountered dozens of section hikers and a couple of hunters each day. Everyone we met was incredibly kind and friendly. This is a perfect trail for a first thru-hike or route to the Florida Keys. It’s blazed, it’s on FarOut, and it is amazingly well-maintained and enjoyable in short portions as day trips to accompany typical Florida theme-park vacations or convention-related travel. Those who wish to commit to 60 to 90 days of backpacking will also appreciate this route.
How to Get to the Florida Trail
Northern Terminus: Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore
Closest City: Pensacola, Florida (10 minutes)
Southern Terminus: Oasis Visitor Center, Big Cypress National Preserve
Closest City: Ochopee, Florida (15 minutes)
We hiked this trail headed east from Pensacola since that’s the more challenging side to access and we had attended a Blue Angels practice at the Navy base. There is limited public transportation at either end. The popular options are a taxi, car shuttle, a ride from a friend, or arranging a private shuttle. If you hike to the southbound terminus, getting to Miami International Airport when you finish is an easy two-hour shuttle from Big Cypress National Preserve. You can post in message boards when you’re a few days from finishing and ask if any Everglades City locals happen to be headed into Miami. Floridians, who embrace tourism’s economic and cultural benefit to their state, are an especially hospitable lot. There is an active Facebook group where people post car swaps and rides.
Florida Trail Northern (Western Panhandle) Terminus
Although there are cabs available at the airport, some hikers find it more enjoyable and less expensive to arrange a ride in advance or plan it with someone else in the Facebook groups. From Pensacola International Airport (PNS), head to I-10. It’s a 25-minute drive to Gulf Islands National Seashore when both local bay bridges are open. In 2021, there is construction on one of the two three-mile bridges due to its collapse from Hurricane Sally in 2020. Plan for a 45-minute drive during reconstruction. Take Exit 22 (Garcon). For more information regarding the bridge closure, consult the Florida Department of Transportation website.
Your Sunshine State walkabout starts at Fort Pickens, approximately 14 miles past the park entrance. The trailhead is between the historic fort and ferry pier. Some thru-hikers camp for a few days in this scenic area before departing. Call the park in advance for information at 850-934-2600.
This is a superb place to spend a few days. The beaches in the Panhandle are regarded by many Floridians as their state’s finest. The atypical sand evolved from quartz remnants of the Appalachian Mountains. Eventually, those eroded crystals were naturally ground into powdery, microscopic spheres. The translucent, pastel water is usually calm and temperate. Wear sunscreen on the beach, as the paleness of the terrain, while lovely, is a powerful solar reflector.
The park rangers are especially proud of Pensacola and happy to give recommendations to campers who wish to head into town for dinner. Eddie, a lively National Park Service ranger who works weekdays at the gate, directs hikers to the fresh seafood restaurants if they wish to avoid “brownfish,” his nickname for deep-fried fare.
Save for those camping there, cars cannot be parked overnight in Fort Pickens. Anecdotally, some thru-hikers have left their cars outside the park along Pensacola Beach and in Escambia County, but it’s best to ask the municipality for the go-ahead if this is your plan. For more information, contact Santa Rosa Island Authority, 850-932-2257.
Shuttles
- PNS Lucky Cab on the west side (Pensacola). 850-607-6500
- Ztrip Cab on the west side (Pensacola). 850-433-3333
*It’s not guaranteed any shuttle will drive you from the Pensacola airport to the trailhead without prior arrangements.
Florida Trail Southern Terminus
From Miami International Airport (MIA), it’s about 20 minutes to Florida State Park. Miami-Dade County has Uber and Lyft, which are the most obvious solutions. You can also post in the Facebook group and try to share a ride with someone.
Again, while there is public transport at either end, it’s wise to plan in advance.
When to Hike the Florida Trail / Which Direction
For a winter / spring-season path, the Florida Trail is ideal. Think of it as a “snowbirder” journey compared to a “regular season” thru-hike. It never reaches higher than 272 feet, and while you might encounter cool days and nights, it’s generally pleasant throughout the winter and spring.
Late-September through mid-May is enjoyable, with many hikers embarking in January and February. We hiked it in March and April, averaging about 25 miles per day. Depending on how temperate the weather was, we hiked up to four hours after sunset. On some days we enjoyed a slower pace in order to enjoy wildlife sightings. Alligators are occasionally visible in the swamplands adjacent to the trail, particularly in Seminole County. The Florida Birding Trail, which is a speckled group of sites rather than a consistent pathway, overlaps with the Florida Trail in several locations. Bring binoculars to view the plethora of interesting avian populations.
It’s pleasant to travel this course in either direction. Hiking east across the Florida Peninsula gets the hilliest terrain out of the way first. This direction is favored by some car travelers who first take an eastbound scenic drive through the scenic Gulf states, arriving at Pensacola and the Northern Terminus.
If you are nervous about your fitness level and want to start on flatter terrain, commence on the southern end. Many treks beginning in January and February start at that side due to its warmer climate at that time of year. Those hikers reach the Panhandle in March or April when its daytime temperatures have risen to the mid-70s and 80s.
Florida Trail Terrain
The Florida Trail is a low-elevation, partially wooded route. You’ll traverse low hills for part of the hike, with much of the rising and descending in the Panhandle portions of the trail. Some sections cross through or near wetlands, but overall, you can make really good time on smooth, dry terrain. The Peninsula is almost entirely flat.
Florida Trail Resupply
Be prepared for Apalachicola National Forest’s 83-mile stretch with no resupply options. Otherwise, you generally have hundreds of options for resupply along the Florida Trail. The footpath frequently crosses forest service roads and suburban areas, and some hikers choose to cache a few days’ worth of food in deer-proof containers at these crossings. If you go this route, you’ll need to have a decent guesstimate of your hiking pace, and you’ll also have to drive the entire route twice: once to drop off the food, and once to pick up the containers. While the route generally affords superb views and weather in the winter and spring, a 2,600 round-trip is cost-prohibitive to many travelers.
The best way to do this is to pack lightly, and resupply as needed at vendors in state parks and at crossings though towns. We resupplied a few times on the trail, and also used mail drops. Restocking was quite easy. We simply walked into nearby or intersecting townships, and even received a few invitations to dinner from sociable locals.
You can also send supplies to yourself by general delivery to nearly 95 percent of Florida post offices along the route. This is my favorite option. Call 800-ASK-USPS to ask if your intended post offices participate in the program.
Resupply 1, Perry, Florida
Perry is located south of the Econfina River section. This settlement is within walking distance of the trail at the crossroads of US 98, US 27, and US 221. Perry is home to two huge timber mills and Forest Capital Museum State Park, which features a pioneer homestead. There are several stores for resupply, such as Walmart Supercenter, Dollar Tree, and Winn-Dixie. This is a town where the locals sit on their front porches and enjoy meeting hikers.
Resupply 2, Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo is in the Lake Jesup section, which winds through thick woods and along rural roads next to the Econlockhatchee River. Watch out for black bears along this section of the path. (Yes, there are bears in Florida.) There are several restaurants and small stores right off the trail on Railroad Street, which is also the location of the post office. We got a ride to an organic food store on Alafaya Trail named Sprouts. There are numerous chain stores for resupply, such as Publix and the Walmart Supercenter.
Resupply 3, Clewiston, Florida
Located on the Florida Trail on a paved arc beside the curved edge of Lake Okeechobee at the Herbert Hoover Dike, Clewiston borders US 27. Best known for its sugarcane farm tours, I also enjoy stopping here for the nearly historic Clewiston Inn. This topographically eclectic area yields marshes, grassy patches, and tall palms. There are several large grocers for resupply, such as Winn-Dixie, Publix and the Walmart Supercenter.
Logistics: Camping, Water, Hunting Season
Camping: Camping is free and common along the Florida Trail, but there are only seven shelters. There are numerous campsites with fire rings, and even if you don’t see a listed area on Gaia or FarOut, there will be a nice flat spot nearby, guaranteed.
Permits: While there is no charge for primitive camping along the trail on state-owned land, you will need a permit in a few spots, such as at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. Check the permits section of the Florida Trail website for more information. https://www.floridatrail.org/florida-national-scenic-trail/fnst/permits/
Water: Water can be a concern on the Florida Trail, as chemical runoff from cattle and sugarcane farms have contaminated watersheds. It’s not a good idea to try to replenish from any murky streams or ponds unless you’re fond of potential encounters with large reptiles.
Keep track of park service water fountains and freshwater springs on your app or map. Visitors enjoy drinking from North Florida’s large artesian springs, which pump cool, clear water from the aquifer into the Ocala National Forest. We each carried two collapsible two-liter bottles, and never ran out. Regardless of appearance, all water should be treated before drinking. There were two potential 20-mile waterless stretches.
Local trail crew and trail angels will sometimes cache water at crossings and in the seven shelters, but entirely relying on other people’s caches is never wise. If you use the last of a gallon jug at a cache, pay it forward and strap the empty bottle to your pack and pack it out.
Hunting Season: Winter and spring are the best time to hike the FT because most of the popular hunting seasons have concluded. Some game, however, are hunted year-round. Among them are feral hogs, nutria, and rabbits. Due to its state regulations, Florida is not considered a huge hunting destination in comparison to its neighboring states of Georgia and South Carolina. Regardless, you should wear at least one piece of blaze orange during an FT thru-hike. Fortunately, orange clothes are in abundance at Florida merchants. Blue and orange are the official colors of the University of Florida Gators, and are also popular in the state because they symbolize the citrus economy as well as a sunset at the ocean.
Most Florida hunters are skilled and considerate, but I provide them with the courtesy of visual notification. I tend to wear a blaze orange baseball cap or safety vest. On cool days, I add a pair of neon yellow gloves to my outdoor ensemble.
Know Before You Go
Weather: A winter/spring thru-hike means being prepared for everything from 80 degrees and sunny to scattered days of wind and rain. Good rain gear is a necessity. Your visibility is generally high, which can be especially enjoyable when spotting a bald eagle or peregrine falcon.
Shorter Daylight: If you trek in the winter, you have fewer daylight hours to hike. Plan accordingly—if you don’t like night hiking, you may possibly hike fewer hours and your trek will last longer. If you’re night hiking, be equipped with a good headlamp (at least 300 lumens) and spare batteries, or a recharging pack. There are hundreds of independent and big-chain outdoor recreation stores throughout Florida, so you can buy a second headlamp if necessary.
Shelter and Trail Courtesy: Much of the Florida Trail has the unusual distinction of a tranquil, verdant path that’s geographically close to suburban conveniences yet burdened with exceptionally low crowding. With Florida welcoming roughly 1,000 new residents weekly, however, the foot traffic may soon rise. Be respectful of the shelters, campsites, and resources. Don’t leave snacks as trail magic in the shelters as it attracts snakes and raccoons. Take the time to appreciate the incredible pride and care that the FoFT and other organizations such as the Boy Scouts put into this corridor.
Florida Trail Resources
Florida Trail Association
Friends of the Florida Trail
Friends of the Florida Trail Facebook
Visit Florida Facebook
Sarah Wyatt is an award-winning ecotourism and sports journalist and lecturer with work appearing in diverse outlets such as Associated Press, Travel and Leisure, American Airlines’ inflight magazine, and AARP. She has held leadership and mentoring positions in the Native American Journalists Association as well as the Society of Professional Journalists.
