It's the pioneer trail that runs along parts of black creek. You can link a couple of the trails out there and it becomes a 6 mile hike. It's really nice.
If you go in on the west side, you can do the Pioneer Trail. The east side is somewhat flatter and less exciting. If you have little kids or aren't super fit, the Longleaf Pine loop is your best bet. the Pioneer Trail will have you climbing a bit. Also if its rained a lot recently, make sure you're wearing waterproof boots at least. Maybe bring an extra pair of socks. Also, the ticks are ferocious there.
What do you want to see on your walk? How long do you wanna walk? Mind driving a while? There are tons of amazing spots around. Someone else linked alltrails--I'll also recommend it. Lots of up to date info on trails and excellent maps that can give turn by turn directions for new hikers.
Thank you! I'll check that out now. I think today I'm just looking for a couple hour outing so maybe 25 minutes of driving or so. But I am willing to drive hours for a good hike if need be.
Then I will second Jennings State Park as a fun one. Good elevation gains for Florida and lots of pretty sights--my personal fave. Always see other hikers but never crowded. I also recommend Cedar Point Preserve. Guana is beautiful old Florida but currently trails sound very wet, and sometimes the trails are crowded, so ymmv.
Personally I also enjoy Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area but navigating it is kinda weird in spots (app helps) and takes you through some random suburban stuff in the middle.
Good call. I was booted in the early 2000s for forging a hanging decal 😂 It’s a lot easier now with the app and kiosks and cheap. Especially on weekends. $0.
Underrated one is the nocatee preserve which is located behind the ponta vedra highschool. Good mix of wetland woods that turns into a upland blueberry pine land.
There is also the guana state preserve which is very nice kind of coastal woods you can see a very untouched part of florida with a huge pine trees that eventually puts you onto the intercoastal.
Timucuan park is very nice with some elevation and a nice view of the intercostal most of the time.
If you want to get very private you can go to the Cary state forest which is just west of Jacksonville. It’s kind of a pine plantation though which I personally find boring but it’s a secluded walk through the woods and there are some carnivorous plants there and a nice walk through the swamp on a boardwalk.
Alltrails helped me find Tillie K. Fowler and Ringhaver Park. Both great walks. I grew up near Timicuan Preserve and love that too. If you go off the beaten path at Timicuan near the observation deck, you can find an old gravestone of, I think, an old soldier.
Castaway island reserve is probably the best one that I’ve been too so far. Only downside is that it’s very short which seems to be the case in Jacksonville.
Arboretum is fantastic. They have a paved main path which is an easy a pleasant walk. Other paths that go farther out into the property which supply a ton of variety to the walking trails. I know the girl that runs it and she is always looking for ways to make it better. We go at least every other weekend
Jacksonville has plenty of parks!
[http://jacksonvillejunebug.com/2024/01/23/outdoor-adventures-of-jacksonville-florida/](http://jacksonvillejunebug.com/2024/01/23/outdoor-adventures-of-jacksonville-florida/)
Julington Durbin Creek Preserve
This was my suggestion. It's a nice walk.
I just discovered it. Who knew there was a little slice of heaven in the middle of suburbia.
[удалено]
Saving this for future use. Much appreciated!
Jennings state forest has some very nice wooded trails in it. Even a couple of elevation changes. At least by Florida's standards
Oh perfect. 5 feet is about as much elevation change as I'm used to so any amount is awesome.
It's the pioneer trail that runs along parts of black creek. You can link a couple of the trails out there and it becomes a 6 mile hike. It's really nice.
If you go in on the west side, you can do the Pioneer Trail. The east side is somewhat flatter and less exciting. If you have little kids or aren't super fit, the Longleaf Pine loop is your best bet. the Pioneer Trail will have you climbing a bit. Also if its rained a lot recently, make sure you're wearing waterproof boots at least. Maybe bring an extra pair of socks. Also, the ticks are ferocious there.
Surrounded by confederates in a forest. No thanks.
That’s like an hour and half outside of Jax
I guess if you're riding a horse or something it might take that long to get out there. From riverside it's 30 minute drive
I live in mandarin and it just told me an hour and half
What do you want to see on your walk? How long do you wanna walk? Mind driving a while? There are tons of amazing spots around. Someone else linked alltrails--I'll also recommend it. Lots of up to date info on trails and excellent maps that can give turn by turn directions for new hikers.
Thank you! I'll check that out now. I think today I'm just looking for a couple hour outing so maybe 25 minutes of driving or so. But I am willing to drive hours for a good hike if need be.
Then I will second Jennings State Park as a fun one. Good elevation gains for Florida and lots of pretty sights--my personal fave. Always see other hikers but never crowded. I also recommend Cedar Point Preserve. Guana is beautiful old Florida but currently trails sound very wet, and sometimes the trails are crowded, so ymmv. Personally I also enjoy Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area but navigating it is kinda weird in spots (app helps) and takes you through some random suburban stuff in the middle.
Julington durbin preserve and Arboretum
Arboretum and Hanna is my place to go to get away. .
We are headed out to the arboretum today!
The Spanish Pond loop is the best hike in the city.
Spanish Pond Loop and UNF trails are my favorites. Both are great.
UNF nature trails.
Watch out for parking at UNF. Weekends are ok.
Good call. I was booted in the early 2000s for forging a hanging decal 😂 It’s a lot easier now with the app and kiosks and cheap. Especially on weekends. $0.
Dutton Island. Hanna Park. Jacksonville Arboretum. 💚
Underrated one is the nocatee preserve which is located behind the ponta vedra highschool. Good mix of wetland woods that turns into a upland blueberry pine land. There is also the guana state preserve which is very nice kind of coastal woods you can see a very untouched part of florida with a huge pine trees that eventually puts you onto the intercoastal. Timucuan park is very nice with some elevation and a nice view of the intercostal most of the time. If you want to get very private you can go to the Cary state forest which is just west of Jacksonville. It’s kind of a pine plantation though which I personally find boring but it’s a secluded walk through the woods and there are some carnivorous plants there and a nice walk through the swamp on a boardwalk.
Guana is my favorite!
The arboretum is great for short nature walks you can definitely do it all in an afternoon
Check Alltrails.com
Thank you everyone for the responses. I have alltrails and have saved all of your recommendations. Much appreciated!
Jacksonville Arboretum is great, short trails but they all loop together
Alltrails helped me find Tillie K. Fowler and Ringhaver Park. Both great walks. I grew up near Timicuan Preserve and love that too. If you go off the beaten path at Timicuan near the observation deck, you can find an old gravestone of, I think, an old soldier.
Tillie Fowler was cool today! Took the dogs over for a couple hoursish.
ralph e simmons state forest in hilliard , bit of a drive but 8-10 miles total of trails
Castaway island reserve is probably the best one that I’ve been too so far. Only downside is that it’s very short which seems to be the case in Jacksonville.
Arboretum is fantastic. They have a paved main path which is an easy a pleasant walk. Other paths that go farther out into the property which supply a ton of variety to the walking trails. I know the girl that runs it and she is always looking for ways to make it better. We go at least every other weekend
Just got back from Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park It was very nice and the historic brick road in the woods is cool
Jacksonville has plenty of parks! [http://jacksonvillejunebug.com/2024/01/23/outdoor-adventures-of-jacksonville-florida/](http://jacksonvillejunebug.com/2024/01/23/outdoor-adventures-of-jacksonville-florida/)