The Florida Trail
Conceptualized by wildlife photographer Jim Kern in the mid-1960s, the Florida Trail is our state’s answer to the Appalachian Trail. It’s more than half the length of that legendary trail, with trailheads within an hour of most major Florida cities. And since 1989, it’s been a destination for long distance hikers looking to spend a few months on a trail during the winter, our best season for backpacking.
The Florida Trail Association builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the unique Florida National Scenic Trail. The Florida Trail is a 1,500 mile federally designated trail beginning at Big Cypress National Preserve and ending at Gulf Islands National Seashore. There vision is to protect the natural, cultural, and historic landscapes along the Florida Trail for future generations by providing a continuous trail system for generations to come.
The Florida Trail Association builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the unique Florida National Scenic Trail. The Florida Trail is a 1,500 mile federally designated trail beginning at Big Cypress National Preserve and ending at Gulf Islands National Seashore. There vision is to protect the natural, cultural, and historic landscapes along the Florida Trail for future generations by providing a continuous trail system for generations to come.
Fun Facts
1. Founder and First Route Explorer: Jim Kern
2. First long distance hike: Dorothy Laker, Cecil Kirkham, Ned Kraft, 1974 (125 miles existed)
3. First end-to-end hike: Cecil Kirkham, 1975 (no roadwalk connectors existed)
4. First National Scenic Trail thru-hikers: Steve Sheridan and Chet Fromm, 1989 (700 & 1100 miles)
5. First woman thru-hiker: Joan Hobson, 1997
6. First Southbounder: Eb “Nimblewill Nomad” Eberhardt, 2001
7. First woman Southbounder: Mary “Denali” McKinley, 2015
8. Youngest to complete: Cody “Bear” Umbarger, age 12, 2012
9. Oldest hiker: Charlie Monson, age 80, 2007
10. Oldest thru-hiker: Al Learned, age 71, 2015
11. Oldest woman thru-hiker: Donna Stowe, age 70, 2008
12. Most times completed: Tied at 6: Bill “Bush Whacker” Bush and Melton “Grits” Cockrell
2. First long distance hike: Dorothy Laker, Cecil Kirkham, Ned Kraft, 1974 (125 miles existed)
3. First end-to-end hike: Cecil Kirkham, 1975 (no roadwalk connectors existed)
4. First National Scenic Trail thru-hikers: Steve Sheridan and Chet Fromm, 1989 (700 & 1100 miles)
5. First woman thru-hiker: Joan Hobson, 1997
6. First Southbounder: Eb “Nimblewill Nomad” Eberhardt, 2001
7. First woman Southbounder: Mary “Denali” McKinley, 2015
8. Youngest to complete: Cody “Bear” Umbarger, age 12, 2012
9. Oldest hiker: Charlie Monson, age 80, 2007
10. Oldest thru-hiker: Al Learned, age 71, 2015
11. Oldest woman thru-hiker: Donna Stowe, age 70, 2008
12. Most times completed: Tied at 6: Bill “Bush Whacker” Bush and Melton “Grits” Cockrell
How to navigate the Florida Trail
Here’s a short video of Sean "RunBum" Blanton explaining how you can get on any part of the 1,400 miles of the Florida Trail and not get lost.