Nature Coast

A walk to remember

Hiking trails combine exercise with scenery.

By DAVID A. BROWN, Times Correspondent
Published September 15, 2007

One of the best ways to enjoy the North Suncoast's natural splendor is on foot.

Hiking through habitat that ranges from muddy marshes to crisp prairies provides an appealing blend of exercise with memorable visual opportunities.

Until fall lowers daytime temperatures, early morning and late afternoon hikes will be most comfortable. These cooler, low-light periods offer your best daytime chances for spotting indigenous wildlife such as squirrels, foxes, deer and turkeys.

North Suncoast hikers have many options from county and state park circuits to the Florida Trail System. The latter makes up the 1,400-mile Florida Trail - a National Scenic Trail established in 1966 - along with several loop and liner trails through public lands.

For a variety of hiking environments, the Florida Trail Association Web site (www.floridatrail.org) summarizes regional trails, including these local options:

WithlacoocheeRiver Trail

Along the west bank of the Withlacoochee River, the trail passes by stands of cypress trees, over sand hills that boast fall wildflowers and through long paths where fern-laden live oaks overhang the path.

Where to find it: From River Road and U.S. 301 truck route in Dade City, go east on River Road 4.5 miles and turn right on Auton Road just before crossing a wooden bridge. The park entrance is on the left.

What to expect: Level but sometimes rugged hiking through floodplain forests, oak hammocks, sand hills, cypress stands and marshlands. The trail will flood when the river is high. Marshy areas might be flooded after a rain.

How long: 5.3-mile loop

Upper Hillsborough River Trail

Located in the Upper Hillsborough River Management Area, this trail contains flatwoods, hardwood forests, cypress heads and swamps.

Where to find it: East of the Zephyrhills Airport, the trail runs from CR 54 (north side) to CR 535 (west side). The northern terminus is on CR 54, 100 yards west of CR 54 and CR 35A. The southern trailhead is on CR 535, about 0.8 miles north of Samuel Pasco Park.

What to expect: A mostly level trail meanders through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and floodplain forest. After heavy rains, or if the Hillsborough River is high, portions of the trail will be flooded. Hunting is permitted, so wear a blaze orange vest during hunting season.

How long: 4.6 linear miles

Richloam Trail

Located in the Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, trail habitat includes cypress floodplains, bayheads, pine-palmetto flatlands, hardwood hammocks, pine prairies and live oaks.

Where to find it: Off SR 50 east of Ridge Manor. Follow Clay Sink Road to the Richloam Fire Tower.

What to expect: Mostly dry hiking, with some wading during rainy seasons. Trail will flood when the Withlacoochee River reaches flood stage.

How long: Cross trails within a 25.6-mile perimeter trail enable hikers to configure loops of 10, 12 and 14 miles.

Croom Hiking Trail

Roughly paralleling the Withlacoochee River through the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, this trail passes through shady hardwood forests (mostly oaks and magnolias), circles around cypress swamps and sinkholes and passes through dense stands of slash pine.

Where to find it: Access the north end of the trail at Hog Island Recreation Area off CR 476 and CR 635 east of Nobleton. Access the south end at River Junction Recreation Area, off U.S. 301 north of Ridge Manor, via Croom-a-Coochie, CR 476B.

What to expect: Level and gently rolling terrain, river bluffs and floodplain forests. The Florida Division of Forestry conducts periodic controlled burns, so avoid the area during this habitat management. Wear brightly colored clothing during small game hunting season.

How long: 7.1 linear miles

Blazing the trail

Walking in the woods can become so captivating, so alluring that it's easy to lose track of where and how far you traveled. Thankfully, the Florida Trail Association has marked the liner trails and adjacent loops with highly visible orange markers called blazes.

Consistent with trail-marking conventions used throughout the United States, hikers will find bright orange marks about the size of a dollar bill painted on trees about 100 feet apart throughout the Florida Trail System's main trails.

Spur trails accessing campsites, trailheads and water sources bear blue blazes, and white or yellow signifies a side trail. In treeless areas, blaze posts keep hikers on course.

[Last modified September 14, 2007, 20:34:25]