For Florida hikers, vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers who want to plan and execute their own adventures, this second edition of the popular guidebook will be indispensable. Molloy and Friend explore the trails of Florida to provide readers with an easy-to-use, accurate, and thorough guide to hiking in more than 2 million acres of federally owned wilderness. These areas contain some of the Sunshine State's most spectacular scenery--from pristine beaches and emerald oceans to towering pine forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes. Illustrated with photographs by the authors, this guide describes every marked and maintained trail in Florida's national forests, parks, and preserves. Each description contains a profile of the path, detailing and rating its condition, length, and difficulty and describing the highlights and hazards of the trail. Profiles also give trailhead directions, trail connections, and hiking season information, followed by a running narrative describing what hikers can expect to see and experience on the trails. This updated edition covers large and small changes in the trails since 2000, most notably the new western corridor of the Florida Trail through Ocala National Forest and the storm-driven changes to the same trail at Gulf Island National Seashore and in Everglades National Park. Also included is a new section on Canaveral National Seashore. The book also features vignettes of natural and human history along the trails. Many of the areas border sinkholes and other geologic formations, wind through fascinating ecosystems such as the Everglades, and pass by historic sites such as old roadways, mail routes, battlefields, and military forts, and Molloy and Friend highlight these throughout the book in fascinating anecdotes. They also provide information on what to wear and bring on hiking expeditions to maximize safety and comfort along the great hiking trails of Florida's protected lands.

"A comprehensive presentation of the hiking trails on [Florida's] federal lands."--Kent L. Wimmer, Florida National Scenic Trail Liaison "A well-written guide to Florida's wild places [and] to the real side of Florida. . . . It would make any outdoor enthusiast want to get out and hike."--Joan Hobson, vice president of trail maintenance, Florida Trail Association For hikers, vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers who want to plan and execute their own adventures, Johnny Molloy's latest guidebook will be indispensable. Experienced outdoorsman Molloy explores the trails of Florida to provide readers with an easy-to-use, accurate, and thorough guide to hiking in more than 2 million acres of federally owned wilderness. These areas contain some of the Sunshine State's most spectacular scenery--from pristine beaches and emerald oceans to towering pine forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes. Illustrated with photographs by the author, this guide describes every marked and maintained trail in Florida's national forests, parks, and preserves. Each description contains a profile of the path, detailing and rating its condition, length, and difficulty and describing the highlights and hazards of the trail. Profiles also give trailhead directions, trail connections, and hiking season information, followed by a running narrative describing what hikers can expect to see and experience on the trails. The book includes vignettes of natural and human history along the trails. Many of the areas border sinkholes and other geologic formations, wind through fascinating ecosystems such as the Everglades, and pass by historic sites like old roadways, mail routes, battlefields, and military forts, and Molloy highlights these throughout the book in fascinating anecdotes. He also provides information on what to wear and bring on hiking expeditions to maximize safety and comfort. Johnny Molloy is an outdoor writer and adventurer based in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has written ten outdoor hiking and paddling books, including Beach and Coastal Camping in Florida (UPF, 1999) and A Paddler's Guide to Everglades National Park (UPF, 2000).

The essential guide to Florida’s best overnight hiking trips From the coastal bluffs of the Panhandle to the wild Everglades, Backpacking Florida features 40 overnight trail adventures covering a total of 600 miles across the state. Expert outdoorsman Johnny Molloy provides readers with the tools and information they need to unplug and experience Florida’s amazing variety of ecosystems up close. Destinations in this guide range from well-known, “must-do” spots like Juniper Prairie Wilderness, Rice Creek Conservation Area, and the Blackwater River State Forest to undiscovered gems like Jennings State Forest, Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area, and Bonnet Pond. Trails are categorized by region, difficulty, and length, from 3-mile family treks to 50-mile larger-than-life excursions, resulting in a useful guide for both novice and experienced backpackers. For every trail, Molloy includes a map and mileage chart and explains how to get to the trailhead, where the campsites are, and what hikers will see along the way. Readers will also find helpful advice on topics such as selecting a campsite and food for the trail. Backpacking Florida is an invaluable resource for planning and enjoying the perfect Florida outdoor adventure.

Whether forging uncharted territory or slipping along marked canoe trails, get ready to experience more than 400 miles of creeks, bays, marshes, and the Gulf of Mexico. This indispensable guide for the ultimate adventure by canoe or kayak now includes GPS coordinates and twelve new paddle routes.

The 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail spans the state from Big Cypress National Preserve near the Everglades to its beachfront terminus at Gulf Islands National Seashore. This long-distance hiking trail encounters more than 80 distinct habitats along the way, including dwarf cypress forests, pine flatwoods, sawgrass prairie, and coastal dunes. Perfect for day-, section-, and thru-hikers, The Florida Trail: The Official Hiking Guide is the first comprehensive guidebook on the Florida Trail. Book jacket.

Stretching more than 1,200 miles across the Sunshine State, the green ribbon of the Florida National Scenic Trail connects the silent depths of the Everglades cypress swamps with the crystalline white sand beaches of Pensacola. Illustrated with fetching full-color photographs, this volume weaves a narrative of day hikes and backpacking trips with snippets of the natural and cultural history that define the essence of Florida.

A guide to the best scenic day hikes and overnight trips along the state-spanning Florida Trail, this book helps readers of all backgrounds and experience levels plan an adventure exploring natural Florida.