SOUTH WALTON TRAILWAYS

Transcription

1 SOUTH WALTON TRAILWAYS

2 Nestled throughout Walton County are 200 miles of hiking and biking trails winding through state forests, state parks and public-private greenways. The area is also home to one of the largest longleaf pine forests in the world. With more than 40 percent of Walton County s total acreage dedicated to preservation, hikers and bicyclists can explore hundreds of acres of forests with breathtaking views of unspoiled natural vegetation, rare coastal dune lakes and some of the nation s most protected bird species. The area s four state parks and state forest are included in the Great Florida Birding Trail. State park and state forest fees may vary. Please visit the following websites for current information. Florida State Parks - Florida Division of Forestry - Great Florida Birding Guide - Florida Trail Levels of Difficulty Easy flat and paved trails Moderate hard ground with some sandy, hilly areas Difficult extremely sandy and difficult hills guide Legend Parking Restrooms Great Florida Birding Trail Pets Allowed on Leash* Wheelchair Access * Pets Not Allowed at State Parks Trailways 1. Scenic Hwy Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 3. Timpoochee Trail 4. Cassine Trail 5. Grayton Beach State Park 6. Point Washington State Forest 7. Deer Lake State Park 8. Alys Beach Nature Trail 9. Watersound Trail 10. Kellogg Nature Trail 11. Greenway Trails 12. Eden Gardens State Park 13. Bay Loop Multi-Use Trail 14. Eglin Reservation - East 15. Nokuse Plantation

3 1 Scenic Hwy Scenic Gulf Drive Miramar Beach, FL (800) VisitSouthWalton.com Scenic Highway 98 is the original beach cruising spot in South Walton. This paved path is perfect for biking, jogging or even longboard skateboarding. The path runs right by Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access which offers expansive views of the coastline. It s also a local favorite for surfing and sunsets. SCENIC GULF DRIVE 3 miles, Easy 2 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A (850) FloridaStateParks.org/topsailhill Identified as the most pristine piece of coastal property in Florida, this undeveloped area features 1,600 acres of stunning bald cypress swamps, nature trails over mountainous sand dunes and two freshwater coastal dune lakes. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is known for its 25-foot-high sand dunes and 14 unique plant communities. MORRIS LAKE TRAIL 2.5 mile loop, Difficult OLD GROWTH TRAIL 1 mile, Difficult DEER TRACK TRAIL 5.5 miles, Difficult SALAMANDER POND TRAIL 1.1 mile, Easy CAMPBELL LAKE TRAIL 5.2 mile loop, Easy BEACH TRAM PATH 1 mile, Easy

4 3 Timpoochee trail Adjacent to Highway 30A (800) VisitSouthWalton.com/Hiking-Biking-Trails One of the most widely used paved paths in South Walton is the Timpoochee Trail. Named after Timpoochee Kinnard, the influential Chief of the Euchee tribe, the paved multi-use path winds through 12 beach communities along Scenic Highway 30A, traversing recreational areas, state parks, the state forest, and 15 coastal dune lakes. TIMPOOCHEE TRAIL 19 miles, Easy

5 4 cassine trail 2447 South County Hwy 395 VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails Located within the Point Washington State Forest and connecting to the Eastern Lake Trail, Cassine Trail offers a variety of terrain and showcases the diversity of Northwest Florida s ecosystems. The trail is accessed through a rustic camping site in Point Washington State Forest and connects to the 30A corridor, through a Seagrove neighborhood (no parking). Explore this trail year round and take in the scenery at the turnaround point that offers a view of the headwaters on one of South Walton s rare coastal dune lakes. This is also the connector to other legs of the Eastern Lake Trail System. CASSINE TRAIL.5 miles, Easy 5 Grayton Beach State Park 357 Main Park Road (850) FloridaStateParks.org/GraytonBeach Grayton Beach State Park features pristine landscapes, camping, self-guided nature trails, picnic areas and is a popular spot for bird watching. The trails wind through pine flatwoods and around small freshwater ponds, which are a natural habitat for wading birds, water birds and lowland birds. Plovers, Terns and Gulls are often spotted on trails near the beach. The two nature trails in Grayton Beach State Park include the Flatwoods Trail and the Western Lake Loop located on the north side of Scenic Highway 30A near the main park entrance. THE FLATWOODS TRAIL 3.81 miles, Easy-Moderate WESTERN LAKE LOOP 0.7 miles, Easy-Moderate

6 THE PERFECT PATH There s a reason many people refer to South Walton as a getaway instead of simply a vacation. It s because our sugar-white sand, turquoise water and welcoming beach neighborhoods offer a mental and physical escape from day-to-day life. A getaway at your perfect beach transports you to a peaceful, relaxed and energized state that leaves you with lasting memories to treasure for years to come. Experience the tight-knit community that our 16 beach neighborhoods offer with world-class shopping, delicious dining, local art, stunning natural landscapes, live music, family-friendly activities and so much more. In South Walton, find places to connect and engage as well as peaceful retreats to reflect and relax. Welcome to South Walton. Your perfect beach awaits. TRAIL ETIQUETTE YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. KEEP RIGHT AND PASS ON LEFT The trail is like a roadway. KEEP THE TRAIL CLEAN Make sure you leave the trail pristine by removing all trash and personal items you brought with you. BE SAFE AT NIGHT Cyclists must use head and tail lights after dark. PETS ON TRAILS & BEACH - Inquire about dogs on trails before beginning to hike or bike. Dogs are not permitted at State Parks. If permitted, dogs should be kept on a short leash and pet waste must be cleaned from the trail. No dogs on the beach, except residents with a valid permit during approved hours. PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS It s the law that a bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a helmet and bicyclists are not allowed to wear headphones at any time.

7 7 Deer Lake State Park 6719 E. Scenic Highway 30A Santa Rosa Beach, Florida (850) FloridaStateParks.org/DeerLake Nestled alongside a rare coastal dune lake, visitors will experience many splashes of color from the summer wildflowers, plants, various species of birds and butterflies. Deer Lake Trail is located on the north side of Scenic Highway 30A across from the park entrance. DEER LAKE TRAIL 1.5 mile loop, Easy-Moderate Photo by Shane Sauer 6 Point Washington State Forest 2447 South County Hwy 395 (850) FreshFromFlorida.com (search Point Washington State Forest ) This 15,000-acre state forest includes more than 27 miles of distinct trails through longleaf pine flatwoods, wet prairie, coastal scrub, swamplands and sandhills. LONGLEAF GREENWAY TRAIL WESTERN TRAIL 2.5 miles, Easy MIDDLE TRAIL 3.25 miles, Moderate EAST TRAIL 2.5 mile, Moderate EASTERN LAKE TRAIL YELLOW LOOP 3.5 miles, Easy-Moderate RED LOOP 6 miles, Moderate ORANGE LOOP 11 miles, Moderate-Difficult

8 8 Alys Beach Nature trail 140 Charles Street Alys Beach, FL (850) The northern portion of Alys Beach is devoted to a 20-acre nature preserve that provides a quiet and reflective getaway. The trail winds its way through the preserve, with most of it on an elevated wooden boardwalk that gives a great view of the varied habitats below. While on the trail, look for slash pines, cypress trees, open meadows, wiregrass and wildflowers. Be sure to look for the carnivorous pitcher plants their tubelike leaf structure captures and digests insects, giving the plants added nitrogen in this nutrient-poor environment. NATURE TRAIL.75 mile, Easy 9 Watersound trail 530 Pathways Drive (850) WaterSound.com/lifestyle/area-amenities/explore-nature The Watersound Trail currently connects Walton County from the Watersound Origins SM community to Conservation Park farther east. This five mile trail can be accessed at Village Commons in Watersound Origins SM and is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a quiet bike ride through nature. WATERSOUND TRAIL 5 miles, Easy-Moderate

9 10 KelloGg Nature CEnter 776 E. Nursery Road (800) VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails In 2003, the late Mrs. Pat Kellogg donated this 10-acre parcel of land to Walton County to be used as a wildlife nature preserve and nature center. Located on East Nursery Road about three miles north on County Highway 393, the hiking trail is perfect for bird watching and outdoor recreation as it loops through pine flatwoods connected to the Choctawhatchee Bay. KELLOGG NATURE TRAIL.03 mile, Easy 11 Greenway Trails 63 South Centre Trail (800) VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails The multi-use trails are located within the Town Center Government Education Complex between J.D. Miller Road and U.S. State Highway 331, approximately one-half mile north of U.S. Highway 98. The wheelchair accessible, paved trail includes timber bridges and the opportunity to enjoy wetlands and native vegetation. Nearby, a two-acre off-leash dog park called Alaqua Unleashed is sure to satisfy your fourlegged friends. GREENWAY HIKING TRAIL 875 feet, Easy GREENWAY MULTI-PURPOSE PATH 1 mile, Easy

10 13 Bay Loop 563 Hammock Trail East, Freeport, FL (866) VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails North of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Freeport, the Bay Loop trail is a paved multi-use trail similar to the Timpoochee Trail along Scenic 30A. The trail winds through pine forests and over numerous creeks that skirt the Choctawhatchee Bay. The trail takes hikers, bikers and joggers past the historic Freeport shipyard, which was the hub for this city when settlers came to the area in BAY LOOP MULTI-USE TRAIL 8.5 miles, Easy Eden Gardens State park 181 Eden Gardens Road (850) FloridaStateParks.org/EdenGardens During the 1800s, Eden Gardens State Park was the home of lumber baron William Henry Wesley and his family. Tour the historic Wesley Mansion or just walk among the moss-draped, ancient live oak trees and extensive landscaped grounds that stretch to the Choctawhatchee Bay. The camellias and azaleas sprinkled throughout the park add color during the spring and summer. EDEN GARDENS STATE PARK TRAIL 0.5 mile, Easy Eglin Reservation - East 107 Highway 85 North, Niceville, FL (850) or (850) Two sections of the Florida Trail are located in Walton County. One section runs through Nokuse Plantation, a 42,000-acre preserve north of the Choctawatchee Bay. The second section goes through Eglin Air Force Military Reservation. An Eglin Recreational pass is required to hike this section of the trail. Contact the Eglin AFB Natural Resources Branch for a permit. FLORIDA TRAIL 38.6 miles, Moderate-Difficult 15 Nokuse Plantation County Highway 3280, Bruce, FL (850) nokuse.org Nokuse Plantation is the vision of M.C. Davis to focus on conservation, preservation and restoration projects to connect existing Federal and State lands in Northwest Florida. The plantation consists of a rich compilation of upland, wetland and freshwater communities. These communities provide habitat for a myriad of plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species. NOKUSE PLANTATION TRAIL 19 miles, Moderate-Difficult

11 25777 US HIGHWAY 331 SOUTH SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL VISIT SOUTH WALTON.COM (800)