How many people complete the Florida Trail?

Trail Community If you plan to thru-hike the Florida Trail, keep in mind this is not a social trail like the Appalachian Trail. 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.



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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.

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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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Cost of a Thru-Hike Today, 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.

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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.

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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.

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In general, ATC discourages the carrying of firearms on the Trail for the reasons noted below. On federal lands administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), possession of a firearm must be in compliance with the law of the state in which the federal land is located.

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Florida Trail, Sopchoppy River Along 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.

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Big Cypress National Preserve South 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.

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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.

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Continental Divide Trail Arguably the most challenging thru-hike of the National Scenic Trails, it traverses five states, ranges from 4,000 to 14,000-feet in elevation, and passes through alpine tundra, broad glacial valleys, craggy mountain peaks, and desolate desert landscapes.

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Katahdin, the mountain you climb on your first day, is arguably the hardest climb on the A.T. It features more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, the greatest sustained ascent on the entire Appalachian Trail.

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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.

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1. Southern Maine. For hikers heading north, hitting Maine is a significant milestone, and they are rewarded with this section that's arguably the most challenging on the trail.

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The average cost of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 for a 5- to 7-month hike; that amount includes gear, trail resupply, and town expenses. Expect to spend about $1,000 a month per person. Below are recommended amounts for each category.

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83-year-old becomes the oldest person to hike the Appalachian Trail : NPR. 83-year-old becomes the oldest person to hike the Appalachian Trail M.J. Eberhart, who goes by the trail name of Nimblewill Nomad, hiked the entire 2,193-mile trail.

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The Florida Trail's oldest shelter sits at the northern end of this hike and is a welcome spot for lunch or camping. Non-potable water is accessible from a nearby creek if you bring a water filter.

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