SOUTH WALTON TRAILWAYS 13 14 15 10 11 12 1 2 3 5 6 4 3 7 9 8 estled throughout Walton County are 200 miles of hiking and biking trails winding through state forests, state parks Levels of Difficulty Trailways Nand public-private greenways. The area is also home to Easy — flat and paved trails 1. Scenic Hwy 98 one of the largest longleaf pine forests in the world. With more Moderate — hard ground with some sandy, hilly areas 2. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park than 40 percent of Walton County’s total acreage dedicated 3. Timpoochee Trail to preservation, hikers and bicyclists can explore hundreds of Difficult — extremely sandy and difficult hills acres of forests with breathtaking views of unspoiled natural 4. Cassine Trail vegetation, rare coastal dune lakes and some of the nation’s 5. Grayton Beach State Park most protected bird species. The area’s four state parks and guide Legend 6. Point Washington State Forest state forest are included in the Great Florida Birding Trail. 7. Deer Lake State Park Parking State park and state forest fees may vary. Please visit the 8. Alys Beach Nature Trail following websites for current information. Restrooms 9. Watersound Trail 10. Kellogg Nature Trail Florida State Parks - www.floridastateparks.org Great Florida Birding Trail 11. Greenway Trails Florida Division of Forestry - www.fl-dof.com Great Florida Birding Guide - www.floridaconservation.org Pets Allowed on Leash* 12. Eden Gardens State Park Florida Trail – www.floridatrail.org 13. Bay Loop Multi-Use Trail Wheelchair Access 14. Eglin Reservation - East * Pets Not Allowed at State Parks 15. Nokuse Plantation 1 Scenic Hwy 98 2384 Scenic Gulf Drive Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (800) 822-6877 VisitSouthWalton.com Scenic Highway 98 is the original beach cruising spot in South Walton. This paved path is perfect for biking, jogging or even longboard skateboarding. The path runs right by Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access which offers expansive views of the coastline. It’s also a local favorite for surfing and sunsets. SCENIC GULF DRIVE 3 miles, Easy 2 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 267-8330 FloridaStateParks.org/topsailhill Identified as the most pristine piece of coastal property in Florida, this undeveloped area features 1,600 acres of stunning bald cypress swamps, nature trails over mountainous sand dunes and two freshwater coastal dune lakes. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is known for its 25-foot-high sand dunes and 14 unique plant communities. MORRIS LAKE TRAIL SALAMANDER POND TRAIL 2.5 mile loop, Difficult 1.1 mile, Easy OLD GROWTH TRAIL CAMPBELL LAKE TRAIL 1 mile, Difficult 5.2 mile loop, Easy DEER TRACK TRAIL BEACH TRAM PATH 5.5 miles, Difficult 1 mile, Easy 3 Timpoochee trail Adjacent to Highway 30A (800) 822-6877 VisitSouthWalton.com/Hiking-Biking-Trails One of the most widely used paved paths in South Walton is the Timpoochee Trail. Named after Timpoochee Kinnard, the influential Chief of the Euchee tribe, the paved multi-use path winds through 12 beach communities along Scenic Highway 30A, traversing recreational areas, state parks, the state forest, and 15 coastal dune lakes. TIMPOOCHEE TRAIL 19 miles, Easy 4 cassine trail 2447 South County Hwy 395 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails Located within the Point Washington State Forest and connecting to the Eastern Lake Trail, Cassine Trail offers a variety of terrain and showcases the diversity of Northwest Florida’s ecosystems. The trail is accessed through a rustic camping site in Point Washington State Forest and connects to the 30A corridor, through a Seagrove neighborhood (no parking). Explore this trail year round and take in the scenery at the turnaround point that offers a view of the headwaters on one of South Walton’s rare coastal dune lakes. This is also the connector to other legs of the Eastern Lake Trail System. CASSINE TRAIL .5 miles, Easy 5 Grayton Beach State Park 357 Main Park Road Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 267-8300 FloridaStateParks.org/GraytonBeach Grayton Beach State Park features pristine landscapes, camping, self-guided nature trails, picnic areas and is a popular spot for bird watching. The trails wind through pine flatwoods and around small freshwater ponds, which are a natural habitat for wading birds, water birds and lowland birds. Plovers, Terns and Gulls are often spotted on trails near the beach. The two nature trails in Grayton Beach State Park include the Flatwoods Trail and the Western Lake Loop located on the north side of Scenic Highway 30A near the main park entrance. THE FLATWOODS TRAIL WESTERN LAKE LOOP 3.81 miles, Easy-Moderate 0.7 miles, Easy-Moderate THE PERFECT PATH There’s a reason many people refer to South Walton as a Experience the tight-knit community that our 16 beach “getaway” instead of simply a “vacation.” It’s because our neighborhoods offer with world-class shopping, sugar-white sand, turquoise water and welcoming beach delicious dining, local art, stunning natural landscapes, neighborhoods offer a mental and physical escape from live music, family-friendly activities and so much more. In day-to-day life. A getaway at your perfect beach transports South Walton, find places to connect and engage as well as you to a peaceful, relaxed and energized state that leaves peaceful retreats to reflect and relax. you with lasting memories to treasure for years to come. Welcome to South Walton. Your perfect beach awaits. TRAIL ETIQUETTE PETS ON TRAILS & BEACH - Inquire about dogs on trails YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS — Pedestrians always have the before beginning to hike or bike. Dogs are not permitted right-of-way. at State Parks. If permitted, dogs should be kept on a short leash and pet waste must be cleaned from the trail. No dogs KEEP RIGHT AND PASS ON LEFT — The trail is like a roadway. on the beach, except residents with a valid permit during approved hours. KEEP THE TRAIL CLEAN — Make sure you leave the trail pristine by removing all trash and personal items you brought with you. PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS — It’s the law that a bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a BE SAFE AT NIGHT — Cyclists must use head and tail lights helmet and bicyclists are not allowed to wear headphones at after dark. any time. 7 Deer Lake State Park 6719 E. Scenic Highway 30A Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 (850) 267-8300 FloridaStateParks.org/DeerLake Nestled alongside a rare coastal dune lake, visitors will experience many splashes of color from the summer wildflowers, plants, various species of birds and butterflies. Deer Lake Trail is located on the north side of Scenic Highway 30A across from the park entrance. DEER LAKE TRAIL 1.5 mile loop, Easy-Moderate Photo by Shane Sauer 6 Point Washington State Forest 2447 South County Hwy 395 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 231-5800 FreshFromFlorida.com (search “Point Washington State Forest”) This 15,000-acre state forest includes more than 27 miles of distinct trails through longleaf pine flatwoods, wet prairie, coastal scrub, swamplands and sandhills. LONGLEAF GREENWAY TRAIL EASTERN LAKE TRAIL WESTERN TRAIL YELLOW LOOP 2.5 miles, Easy 3.5 miles, Easy-Moderate MIDDLE TRAIL RED LOOP 3.25 miles, Moderate 6 miles, Moderate EAST TRAIL ORANGE LOOP 2.5 mile, Moderate 11 miles, Moderate-Difficult 8 Alys Beach Nature trail 140 Charles Street Alys Beach, FL 32461 (850) 213-5500 www.AlysBeach.com/amenities/nature-trail The northern portion of Alys Beach is devoted to a 20-acre nature preserve that provides a quiet and reflective getaway. The trail winds its way through the preserve, with most of it on an elevated wooden boardwalk that gives a great view of the varied habitats below. While on the trail, look for slash pines, cypress trees, open meadows, wiregrass and wildflowers. Be sure to look for the carnivorous pitcher plants—their tubelike leaf structure captures and digests insects, giving the plants added nitrogen in this nutrient-poor environment. NATURE TRAIL .75 mile, Easy 9 Watersound trail 530 Pathways Drive Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 213-5299 WaterSound.com/lifestyle/area-amenities/explore-nature The Watersound Trail currently connects Walton County from the Watersound OriginsSM community to Conservation Park farther east. This five mile trail can be accessed at Village Commons in Watersound OriginsSM and is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a quiet bike ride through nature. WATERSOUND TRAIL 5 miles, Easy-Moderate 10 KelloGg Nature CEnter 776 E. Nursery Road Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (800) 822-6877 VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails In 2003, the late Mrs. Pat Kellogg donated this 10-acre parcel of land to Walton County to be used as a wildlife nature preserve and nature center. Located on East Nursery Road about three miles north on County Highway 393, the hiking trail is perfect for bird watching and outdoor recreation as it loops through pine flatwoods connected to the Choctawhatchee Bay. KELLOGG NATURE TRAIL .03 mile, Easy 11 Greenway Trails 63 South Centre Trail Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (800) 822-6877 VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails The multi-use trails are located within the Town Center Government Education Complex between J.D. Miller Road and U.S. State Highway 331, approximately one-half mile north of U.S. Highway 98. The wheelchair accessible, paved trail includes timber bridges and the opportunity to enjoy wetlands and native vegetation. Nearby, a two-acre off-leash dog park called Alaqua Unleashed is sure to satisfy your four- legged friends. GREENWAY GREENWAY HIKING TRAIL MULTI-PURPOSE PATH 875 feet, Easy 1 mile, Easy 13 Bay Loop 563 Hammock Trail East, Freeport, FL 32439 (866) 386-4229 VisitSouthWalton.com/hiking-biking-trails North of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Freeport, the Bay Loop trail is a paved multi-use trail similar to the Timpoochee Trail along Scenic 30A.