Hiking

Places To Hike

The westernmost section of northwest Florida is considered the gateway to Florida. Here at Outdoor Gulf Coast, we consider it the gateway to all Florida adventures. Beginning in this area of Pensacola, many hiking adventures are awaiting you.

It’s in northwest Florida. We have the beginning of the Florida National Scenic Trail in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. In addition to the trail system, there are many areas to hike and explore. We hope you will discover new places to hike as we expand our list, with Pensacola as the starting point for your hiking adventures. Please let us know if you would like to contribute more places to the hiking areas we have listed.

Trail Guide Map – click the icons in the map for hiking areas.

Pensacola

Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail

Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail is part of the Bayou Chico restoration project. The preserve includes 1,300 acres within the Jones Creek Watershed. It was created to protect Pensacola Bay.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: picnic table

Gibb’s Point

3 miles of paved walking/biking paths along Bayou Grande.

Terrain: concrete walking path | Park amenities: park benches, playground, bathroom

Gibbs Point
Gibb’s Point Playground and path

Bayou Marcus

Raised boardwalk through the wetlands in West Pensacola. This boardwalk is at the Water Reclamation facility. Nice place for walking and birding.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: none

Bayou Marcus Walking Trail

Tarkiln Bayou Trail

Beautiful paved/boardwalk that winds through wetlands down to the bayou. There is a small pier on the bayou to enjoy the surroundings. In addition to the paved trail, there are many off-grade trails to hike.

Terrain: boardwalk & sandy trails | Park amenities: bathroom

Tarkiln Bayou Trail
Tarkiln Bayou Trail

Fillingim Landing

Located on the Perdido River, Fillingim Landing offers paddlers and hikers a lovely setting for exploring the outdoors. Fillingim Landing includes a kayak/canoe launch, hiking trails, a picnic table, BBQ grills, and bathrooms.

Terrain: sand | Park amenities: picnic tables, BBQ grills, kayak/canoe launch, bathrooms

Bay Bluffs Park

The city of Pensacola maintains bay Bluffs Park. The park is a 32-acre park along Escambia Bay located off Scenic Highway near Summit Blvd. The park has many boardwalks leading through the oak and pine forest along the bay.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: none

UWF Boardwalk and Hiking Trails

UWF includes over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. A section of trails includes the Edward Ball Nature Preserve Trail. This boardwalk is an enjoyable half-mile hike through Thompson’s Bayou. Visitors will enjoy viewing many birds, fish, and reptiles.

Terrain: boardwalk & dirt trails | Park amenities: none

UWF Red and Green Trail – Greenbrier Trailhead

Good access point for the trails for hiking or mountain biking. This trailhead connects you to the red and green trail system.

Terrain: dirt trails | Park amenities: none, park on the side of the road

Pensacola Beach

Fort Pickens

There are many trails to explore in Fort Pickens. Hikers will enjoy wildlife. Parking at Battery Worth will give you access to many of the trails.

Terrain: sand, crushed shells | bathrooms, covered pavilions, picnic areas, BBQ Grills, Forts, Beach areas

Perdido Key

Perdido Key Discovery Trail

The Perdido Key Discovery Trail is located in Johnson Beach. This park is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The boardwalk provides a unique setting to discover the natural beauty of the seashore. This is an easy walk and an excellent place for bird watching.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: covered pavilion at the main beach, beach access, restrooms at the main beach parking area

Perdido Key Discovery Trail
Perdido Key Discovery Trail & Kayak Launch

Garcon Bayou Nature Park

Bayou Marcus Nature Trail is located near Perdido Bay Country Club. The boardwalk gets you out over the wetlands.

Terrain: boardwalk | Park amenities: covered pavilion, BBQ grills, playground

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park is a beautiful place for hiking, camping, bird watching, or family picnic. There are many trails to explore throughout the park. The trails range from boardwalks to sandy trails.

Terrain: boardwalk & sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, playground, camping

Gulf Breeze

Shoreline Park

Shoreline park has both walking paths and hiking trails. This is a beautiful park to explore.

Terrain: Concrete walking paths  & sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, playground, fishing pier, boat launch, dog park, pavilion. 

New Wetlands Boardwalk & Trail at Shoreline Park

Naval Live Oaks

The Gulf Islands National Seashore-Naval Live Oaks Park, located in Gulf Breeze, is the perfect place to enjoy some quiet hiking, picnicking, or relaxing by the water. The Naval Live Oaks park is located in Gulf Breeze and has over 7.5 miles of hiking trails to enjoy.

Terrain: Sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills

Brackenridge Nature Trail

Brackenridge Nature Trail is a 0.3-mile boardwalk loop trail located in the Naval Live Oaks Park, a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Terrain: Boardwalk / earthen | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, wheelchair-accessible

Overlook off the Brakenridge Nature Trail

Pace and Milton

Clear Creek Nature Trail

Clear Creek Nature Trail is a beautiful 1.6-mile loop in Milton, Florida. The trail has been rated moderately easy and perfect for families with children.

Garcon Point Trail

Garcon Point Trail has a 1.7-mile loop and a 1.2-mile spur off that trail. We hiked the 1.2-mile spur, then walked another 1.5 along Garcon Point Road.

Terrain: off-road trails| Park amenities: none

Arcadia Mill

Enjoy the history and the great outdoors as you visit Arcadia Mill. This site once included a water-powered sawmill, lumber mill, textile mill, and more. There is a handicap-accessible boardwalk and off-road hiking trails at this location. The off-road section of the trail includes a suspension bridge over Mill Pond Creek.

Terrain: Boardwalk & off-road trails | Park amenities: Visitor Center and Museum, restroom, historical displays

Baker, Holt, Munson

Wiregrass Trail – Blackwater River State Forest

The Wiregrass Trail is located in Blackwater River State Forest and is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Hikers will enjoy some of the largest remaining longleaf pine/wiregrass on this trail. The trail is 12.7 miles in length. Access this trail North of Hurricane Lake Recreation Area. For details, visit here.

Terrain: off-road trails | Park amenities: restrooms, camping

Sweetwater Trail

The Sweetwater trail is located in Blackwater River State Forest. The trailhead is located at Krul Lake State Recreation Area. The first section of the trail is handicap accessible with a boardwalk. The trail includes a suspension bridge and a gristmill on the boardwalk. The trail is 1.3 miles and connects to Bear Lake.

Terrain: boardwalk and off-road | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, swimming area

Jackson Red Ground Trail

Get a bit of history as you retrace one of the earliest trade routes of the Indians and settlers in Florida. This trail is a 21.5-mile hike and is certified as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. For directions, maps, and other information, click here.

Terrain: off-road | Park amenities: primitive camping at Red Rock Road Primitive Area

Blackwater River Juniper Creek Trail

Enjoy hiking along Juniper Creek. The trail is an unpaved trail that runs 8.8 miles. Juniper Creek Trails is certified as a Florida National Scenic Trail segment. The southern end of the trails joins up with the Blackwater River.

Terrain: off-road | Park amenities: primitive camping at Red Rock Road Primitive Area (northern), picnic area at the southern area

Karick Lake Campground

It’s time to go camping . . . or fishing or hiking! You can do all this and more at Karick Lake. Located in the Blackwater River State Forest, just 7.5 miles north of Baker, tucked away in our little neck of the woods is this spectacular 65-acre spot.  The park includes a 3.8-mile hiking trail around the lake.

Terrain: Sandy trails | Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, camping

Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park has access to many hiking trails, including the Chain of Lakes Hiking Trail and Jackson Trail.

Chain of Lakes Hiking Trail

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/blackwater_jackson_red.htm

Ponce de Leon

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park

Ponce de Leon is a beautiful State Park in Northwest Florida, perfect for a day trip. In the park, there are two hiking trails where hikers will enjoy a lush hardwood forest.  The park also includes a beautiful spring for swimming on those hot summer days.

Terrain: off-road trails| Park amenities: restrooms, picnic areas, BBQ grills, swimming area

Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fairhope

Weeks Bay

Weeks Bay includes two boardwalks. You will enjoy viewing the natural surroundings around Weeks Bay and Fish River.

Terrain: Boardwalks | Park amenities: Free educational interpretive center, restrooms

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail includes over 15 miles of trails in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. These trails are perfect for hiking, biking, or jogging.

2 Comments

  1. Nice collection of local hiking trails. My favorite trail is the Juniper Creek Trail. There is a shelter about 5 miles from the south trailhead. A fun trip is to night hike in from the south, camp and head back out the next day.