Trailahassee: Bike, hike, paddle and drive North Florida’s hundreds of trails
“Not all of Florida is flat!” reads one of the maps detailing Tallahasee’s network of trails. That becomes apparent when driving there, entering a city that has inclines and slopes very unlike other parts of the Sunshine State.
The terrain becomes even more obvious when muscling up a steep ascent on a mountain bike. But that’s just part of the fun when delving into offerings surrounding “Trailahassee,” the nickname given to Florida’s capital for its hundreds of miles of paths to explore.
“The official account is 742 miles of total trails in our area. That includes our kayaking trails, biking trails, hiking trails, walking trails,” said Scott Lindeman, marketing communications director at Visit Tallahassee. “We just say over 700 because the number changes almost every week.”
Tallahassee has long been known as a college and government town, but the North Florida city is now taking on a new identity with more local businesses and eco-tourism.
“We’re not the beach communities, we’re not the theme parks ... Our trails and all of our natural resources are woven into everything we do,” Lindeman said. “The potential is there to become an eco-tourism destination. We have the support of the community at large, as well as our elected officials. We’re not Orlando, and we’re not trying to be.”
Mountain biking, Florida style
On a sweltering summer day, I got a glimpse at North Florida’s mountain bike trails with Jimmy Card, president of the Tallahassee Mountain Bike Association. Taking off from downtown, we followed tree-lined paved trails before reaching an extensive network of off-road biking opportunities.
“We have a saying here, it’s ride to the ride. We hate seeing people put bikes on their cars and driving to a trailhead,” Card said.
We rode along several miles of urban single-track before reaching Tom Brown Park (442 Easterwood Drive in Tallahassee), a haven for mountain bike enthusiasts. Darting between towering trees, which provided much-needed shade, I followed Card as we whisked along the Magnolia Trail. Hopping over ruts and roots, shredding through downhill sections and jumping off clay berms made my heart race with joy and adrenaline.
Marked by rusty cars and hubcaps, the Cadillac Trail yielded challenges and terrain that can’t be experienced in many other parts of the state. We decompressed during a shady jaunt around Piney Z Lake before rolling along a scenic boardwalk and covered bridge that crossed railroad tracks.
Then it was a race back to town to beat Florida’s afternoon storms, which we narrowly avoided. Despite a broken spoke and sweat-soaked shirt, the smile never left my face.
The next day, I took the chance to check out the Red Bug Trail (4488 N. Meridian Road in Tallahassee), considered among Tallahassee’s most trying mountain bike trails. Roots jutted out at every turn and rock gardens proved challenging to navigate, while switchbacks and wooden features keep riders on their toes.
For beginners, Munson Hills in the Apalachicola National Forest (5057 Woodville Highway in Tallahassee) gives families and casual riders a laid-back scenic ride.
As a lobbyist by trade, Card has worked hard during his two years as TMBA president, petitioning to expand the town’s network of trails for the association’s hundreds of members and the general public.
“We’ve probably had just shy of a million dollars in bike-related expenditures in the last two or three years, which is tremendous,” he said, adding that additional tax dollars in the decades to come will be allocated for parks and trails. “Just dust the old bike off. If there’s a trail near you where you can ride your bike safely, you’re much more likely to do it than if you’re riding on a road.”
Tallahassee is also hoping to become certified as an International Mountain Bike Association Ride Center, with 72 miles of trails considered for mountain bike usage. The designation points out destinations with extensive trail networks and infrastructure to support off-road cycling, such as bike shops and breweries.
“We’re just trying to make this a riding destination. It already is, we’re just trying to make it better,” Card said. “We’re a powder keg ready to explode. It’s a pretty special time here ... It’s just a matter of getting it known outside of here.”
A walk through the park
Although mountain biking is one focus of the “Trailahassee” mantra, hiking and running opportunities are plentiful surrounding the state’s capital. In fact, many trails used by off-road cyclists are multi-use and can be enjoyed by hikers, trail runners and horseback riders as well.
Take a short drive north to Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park (3540 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee) to explore manicured gardens on the grounds once owned by the New York businessman. A short walk yields views of Lake Hall, a secret garden, a reflection pool and hundreds of camellias and azaleas.
The park also provides access to the multi-use Lake Overstreet trails with scenic overlooks and birding opportunities along the way. Across the street, wander the 670-acre Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park (4600 N. Meridian Road in Tallahassee), which gives hikers and trail runners the chance to experience more than 7 miles of dedicated footpaths.
The Lafayette Heritage Trail (4900 Heritage Park Blvd. in Tallahassee) and J.R. Alford Greenway (2500 Pedrick Road in Tallahassee) present many miles of trails for running or hiking with shady canopies and waterfront views.
When taking off from the city, paved walkways in Cascades Park (1001 S. Gadsden Street in Tallahassee) and the St. Marks Trail (4778 Woodville Highway in Tallahassee) give recreationists more than 20 miles of trail to explore.
Paddling the Panhandle
On a mild Panhandle evening, the majesty of the misty Wacissa River revealed itself to me. I launched my kayak near the cool headsprings that flow into the river right as a thin fog began to form, likely a result of warm humid air mixing with chilled waters.
I first paddled north to see rustic fish camps alongside cardinal flowers and cypress trees, scenes harkening back to old Florida.
Heading south, numerous side springs, including Big Blue Spring and Garner Springs, show themselves to curious recreationists exploring the hidden paths.
Like many of North Florida’s rivers, the waterway eventually joins the Gulf. The Wacissa later meets the Aucilla River and could be turned into a multi-day camping adventure. Launch at 433 Wacissa Springs Road in Greenville.
The Wakulla, St. Marks, Ecofina, Sopchoppy and Ochlockonee rivers offer similarly wild and beautiful opportunities for water-based recreation within an hour of Tallahassee.
For urban, easily-accessible day trips, consider the Lafayette Passage Paddling Trail on Lake Lafayette and Piney Z Lake, Lake Jackson, Lake Hall or the Bradford Chain of Lakes.
Canopies by car
Some of Florida’s roads are lined with ancient oaks that stretch their branches over cars, reaching for their siblings on the other side.
In Tallahassee, there is a designation for these types of motorways: canopy roads. These seven selected driving trails encompass 78 miles lined with live oaks, sweet gums, hickory trees and pines that provide shade and scenery.
Each road has a tree protection area that includes all land within 100 feet of the road’s centerline.
Take Meridian Road north from the city to find serenity among the canopy, or get away from town by taking Centerville or Miccosukee roads northeast. To Tallahassee’s southeast, take a jaunt along Old St. Augustine Road.
However you choose to travel, “Trailahassee” provides no shortage of options for exploring Florida’s natural side. And while social distancing has provided a surge of interest in trails and outdoor recreation, some think this trend is here to say.
“We’re so uniquely positioned, especially right now. When the rest of the world is shutting down, like theme parks, we didn’t really shut down here,” said Visit Tallahassee’s Lindeman. “People are getting out and exploring. You get people out on these trails and they’re not going to abandon it once things get back to a sense of normal.”
Visit trailahassee.com to find trails for paddling, hiking, running, cycling, horseback and more.
Find me on Twitter @PConnPie, Instagram @PConnPie or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
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