Northwest County, Florida
Taylor County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Development
Visit Suwannee
Madison Chamber of Commerce
Nature Coast State Trail
This 62-mile route travels the grade-separated paved bicycling trail connecting Chiefland, FL, Trenton, FL, Fanning Springs, FL, and Cross City, FL. It also crosses the Suwannee River.
The route begins in Chiefland, where riders can find parking and restrooms. The trail travels north to Fanning Springs along the Nature Coast Trail. There are several parking lots and restrooms in Fanning Springs, as well as at the trailhead.
This town is also home to various local restaurants where riders can stop for a bite to eat. From Fanning Springs, the trail travels north again,again, then heads west towards Cross City. Along this route, riders cross the Suwannee River on the Nature Coast Trail Trestle Bridge, where they can enjoy a beautiful, panoramic view of the river.
Riders then reach Cross City, which is home to more local restaurants, stores, rest stops, and another trailhead. The trail extends just past the town and then continues back to Trenton. In Trenton, the trail passes more parking, rest stops, and a trailhead. Riders can continue from Trenton back to where they started in Chiefland.
A short video about the trail can be found here: youtube.com/watch?v=mognE0ppiww. For more information about the area, visit our website (vnnf.org) or VisitNatureCoast (visitnaturecoast.com).
The Original Florida Tourism Task Force (dba Visit Natural North Florida) and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council do not warrant the safety of the routes on this map for use by bicyclists. Bicyclists should use these routes only if they have the adequate skill level as bicyclists, and bicyclists must make that determination. All the roads shown are used by automobiles and trucks, and bicyclists assume the risks for their own safety when using the roads and/or routes indicated on this map. The Original Florida Tourism Task Force, the local governments in which these bicycle routes are located, and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council are not responsible for any damages whatsoever from its use.
Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail
A paved, grade-separated 20-mile trail from Tallahassee, FL to St. Marks, FL. Although the northern terminus of the trail is near Lake Elberta, because of parking difficulties, many riders park and start at the Munson Hill trailhead on Woodville Highway, approximately 4.5 miles south of the northern terminus and just south of the Woodville Highway-Capital Circle SE intersection. Additionally, some riders starting at this trailhead go south, skipping the northern 4.5-mile northern section altogether.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail runs 20.5 miles one-way from Florida’s capital city to the coastal community of St. Marks. Through the early 1900s, this historic railroad corridor was used to carry cotton from the plantation belt to the coast for shipment to textile mills in England and New England. Officially part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System, this state trail has also been designated as a National Recreational Trail.
It was the first rail-trail in the Florida system of greenways and trails to be paved, providing a scenic experience for running, walking, bicycling, and skating. Horseback riding is available on an adjacent unpaved trail. Here outdoor enthusiasts can hike a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which joins the rail trail at U.S. Highway 98 and continues south.
At the main trailhead in Tallahassee, there is access to the Munson Hills/Twilight Mountain Bike Trails in the Apalachicola National Forest. At the southern terminus of the trail, the coastal City of St. Marks welcomes trail users to enjoy seafood dining, fishing, and entertainment and learn about the history of the area at San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park.
The Tallahassee-St. Marks State Trail is a completed section of the developing, 120-mile Capital City to the Sea Loop corridor and is a destination along the Big Bend Scenic Highway.
Jump on the trail at any of the trailheads spread out along the trail. Mileage markers provide distance information, and the trail corridor is lined with trees providing plenty of shade. Restroom facilities are located at intervals along the trail. At the Wakulla Station Trailhead, there are picnic pavilions and the barrier-free Felburn Foundation Boundless Playground, designed to allow children of all abilities to learn and play freely together. For more information on the St. Marks Trail, contact the Florida Division of Parks office at 850.922.600.