TrailLink :: Nature Coast State Trail

Nature Coast State Trail:
Florida

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Description:

One of the Sunshine State's best-kept trail secrets, the Nature Coast State Trail (formerly the Nature Coast Greenway) connects five small rural towns-Cross City, Old Town, Fanning Springs, Trenton, and Chiefland-along a T-shaped, 32-mile corridor. From the hub in Fanning Springs, you can take your pick of trips. The well-maintained asphalt path provides enough trailheads, pavilions, and services to ease journeys of any length. On the 12-mile leg northwest to Cross City via Old Town, pause at viewing areas along the old railroad trestle spanning the Suwannee River. During cooler months, you may catch sight of manatees in the river below. The seven-mile section of lightly traveled trail east of Fanning Springs leads to the quaint town of Trenton, where you'll find a trailhead, restrooms, nearby businesses, and a colorful railroad mural. On the nine-mile route southeast to Chiefland, the trail skirts hardwood hammocks along the northern boundary of Andrews Wildlife Management Area. While lucky trail users have spotted bobcats, gopher tortoises are a much more common sight. Equestrians can access the trail at either the Old Town or Fanning Springs trailheads, where trailer parking is provided. The Fanning Springs trailhead also links up with Fanning Springs State Park, which rewards the weary with refreshing dips in cool spring waters. Officials are mulling whether to extend the trail south to connect with the Cross-Florida Greenway and the Withlacoochee State Trail. Another possibility is an extension east from Trenton to Newberry and, ultimately, Gainesville to connect with other rail-trails.

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Parking & Trail Access:

Directions: To reach the Fanning Springs trailhead from Gainesville, take Route 26 west about 40 miles to Fanning Springs. At the T-junction with US Highway 19/98, turn right. The trailhead lies just east of the Suwannee River. To reach the Cross City trailhead from Fanning Springs, take US Highway 19/98 north about 13 miles to Cross City, then turn east on Route 351, the last intersection before the old train depot. The trail crosses this road. To reach the Old Town trailhead from Fanning Springs, take US Highway 19/98 four miles west to Old Town and turn north on Route 349. The trailhead is one block up, adjacent to the fire station. To reach the Trenton trailhead from Fanning Springs, take Route 26 eight miles east to Trenton and turn north on US Highway 129. The trailhead is two blocks up at the old train depot. To reach the Chiefland trailhead, take US Highway 19/98 south to Chiefland. The trailhead is at the old train depot, two blocks south of downtown on the same road. Contact: Office of Greenways & Trails 18020 NW Highway 19 Fanning Springs, FL 32693 (352) 493-6072

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Reviews:

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Great breakfast & BBQ in Trenton.

By carolann2u on February 29, 2008

The trail from the old Trenton depot station across the river to Dixie County is very well kept & scenic. It's a great outing! Just one block south of the old depot station at 321 N. Main St. is Lavern's Country Kitchen. They are open for breakfast & lunch & feature southern cooking & hospitality. Lavern makes great BBQ pulled pork sandwiches & ribs. Breakfast is available all day on Saturdays!

Metric Century

By Bob Gillespie on October 30, 2007

"My wife and I did the 3 spokes of the trail starting at Chiefland, then to Cross City, and to Trenton before returning to Chiefland. Amounts to about 64 miles (had to do a little bit more at the Chiefland end or a metric century. Great Day. Ended it by driving to Manatee Springs (about 7 miles away) and rinsing off in the cool spring water. Worth the trip."

Good Eats in Trenton

By Cindy Messer on April 08, 2007

Great trail to ride in the spring. Be sure to do the Trenton leg of the trail and stop in at Petrello's at the old boarding house. We had a great roasted veggie pizza.

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Trail Facts

Trail End Points: Cross City through Fanning Springs- to- Chiefland to Cross City- to- Trenton
Counties: Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy
Trail Length: 32 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Walk, Horseback, Bicycle, Inline Skates, Mountain Bicycle, Wheelchair