How long would it take to hike the entire Florida Trail?
A typical thru-hiker takes two to three months to hike the entire FT. After deciding when and where to begin and then registering your thru-hike, you will need to plan your resupply points and know the needed permits and camping regulations along the Florida Trail.
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The Florida National Scenic Trail, better known as the Florida Trail, is a federally-designated, non-motorized recreation trail that meanders approximately 1,500 miles across some of the most beautiful, unique landscapes in the entire country.
Since 2018, I have been section hiking the Florida Trail, one of eleven congressionally-designated National Scenic Trails in the United States. At more than 1,300 miles, the FT has been called the “toughest hike you've never heard of” for its exceptionally diverse track over the span of the Florida peninsula.
Coming in at a whopping 1,500 miles, the Florida Trail is the longest trail in the state. Much of the other popular trails throughout Florida are just smaller sections of the Florida Trail. It's made up of the Southern region, the Central region, the Northern region, and the Panhandle region.
Less than 400 people have completed the entire trail. Unless you pair up with a hiking partner, much of your hike will be spent in solitude. That's a plus for many hikers who come here, but not a great idea if you're thinking that the Florida Trail should be your first long distance hike.
Cost of a Thru-HikeToday, the figure is usually considered to be about $3 per mile. If that is the case, then to complete all 1,100 miles you shouldn't begin the trip without $3,300 in the bank.
In an environment where temperatures are frequently in the 90s, and long stretches of trail may provide no shade or little water, heat exhaustion is a major concern. It's one of the reasons (along with summer rains and insect populations) that most Florida hikers only hit the trail between October and April.
Big Cypress National PreserveSouth Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve is a must-visit spot along the Florida Trail, particularly if you're looking for a challenge. Although this 30-mile hike is touted as Florida's toughest backpacking trip, its incomparable beauty makes the hard work worth it.
Big Cypress National PreserveSouth Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve is a must-visit spot along the Florida Trail, particularly if you're looking for a challenge. Although this 30-mile hike is touted as Florida's toughest backpacking trip, its incomparable beauty makes the hard work worth it.
There are several backcountry campsites located along the trail. Backcountry permits are required to camp at these sites. During the dry season (November-April), there may be very little to no water along the trail. Hikers need to pack in their own water.
In the center of every cypress dome is a reliable deep pool of water. Even in dry years, when Big Cypress is nothing but mud, cypress domes are reliable water sources. You can always get water from a cypress dome, even if your guidebook does not list it as a water source.
Thru-hikers are exempt from all fees and may camp at any campsite without a permit except for Lake Jackson. If you want to camp at Lake Jackson, call 352-732-1225. Section hikers must day for day use permits at trailside kiosks.
The trail is approximately 1,500-miles long and is intended to offer a continuous, permanent non-motorized recreation opportunity for hiking and other compatible activities.
The Florida National Scenic Trail is within one hour's drive of most Floridians, and there are many great resources available to help you use and locate the Trail! While the FT is mostly a hiking trail, users can also camp, swim, bike, horseback ride, paddle, and picnic on some sections of the Trail.
Florida Trail, Sopchoppy RiverAlong this extraordinarily scenic piece of the Florida Trail, the footpath follows the tops of bluffs where weirdly shaped cypresses outline the inky waters of the Sopchoppy River below as it snakes its way through the Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee.
Even in its incomplete state, the Florida Trail is one of just 11 federally designated national scenic trails, and while few walk its full length, the trail attracts more than 350,000 people each year who bite off sections.
Half Dome, Yosemite National ParkFrom the moment you lay eyes on the last 400 feet of the Half Dome hike, you'll understand why it's considered one of the most dangerous hikes in America.
There are less than 250 miles of roadwalks along the entire Florida Trail. You'll do more than 175 miles of roadwalks on the average thru-hike. Many of the roadwalks are on quiet back roads. A few of them are along dangerous state and U.S. highways.
Everyone has heard about the “hardest mile on the AT,” the Mahoosuc Notch. The Notch gets so much attention that most people forget to mention the following 1,600+' ascent over 1.5 miles up Mahoosuc Arm.