We recently rode the trail for a total round trip of 24 miles. However, the trail is under construction starting at the Tallahassee trail head, so we were a bit disappointed that we had to drive south for about seven to eight miles (definitely more than the 5 miles listed on the sign!) to find the second trail head/ parking area. The sign posted told us that the anticipated opening date for the portion of the trail that is under construction would be July 2011.

The trail is very smooth and has plenty of rest room facilities. There are several restaurants at the end of the trail at St. Marks, none of which we were really favorably impressed. We decided to check out the little general store, but were disappointed with our visit there. We ended up eating chips and snacking on the things we had carried on our bikes. Maybe we didn't explore enought, but we would definitely pack a lunch the next time.

We departed from the north terminus relatively early in the morning, and there was plenty of parking, depsite all the folks running and riding the first few miles of the trail. There path does start about 3 miles to the north, but the parking is sketchy at best at that location. The northern terminus of the trail sits just to the south of the city on Rte 363. There are also bathrooms and historical placards to get you up to speed on the importance of the Tallahassee- St Marks railway line. For the first few mile markers, you can slightly hear the traffic from the road running next to the trail.

Around mile marker 7, the traffic thinned out, and we had the trail to ourselves. The whole trail was well shaded and very well maintained.

There is one kicker: trail maintenance is still in effect. For you speedy road biker types: so sad. You'll have to jump on the road with the cars around mile marker 10 to continue on to St Marks. For you mountain bikers and hybrid owners, no sweat. It's still flat and fast, it's just sandy now. Nothing about this trail is remotely technical, but there is a horse path off to the side that might offer a break in the monotony, if you're so inclined. Trail maintenance is expected to be complete in December, but that shouldn't stop you from riding it anyway! The final two (or so) miles of the trail before the southern terminus is freshly paved!

The reason to ride the whole 15.7 miles to St Marks is snackage. Between Smokey's Oyster Bar and Grill and the Riverside Bay Cafe, there is plenty to eat and drink. There is also some cool Civil War ruins at San Marcos de Apalache State Park just down the road from the southern terminus of the trail. Just remember, when you eat and have a couple beers, you have to ride back at some point.

We had such a great time when we biked the northern part of the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail with our 8-year old grandson, Mick, in mid-July while he was visiting us from Lake Tahoe.

Seeing live alligators was #1 on Mick’s Florida list, so we took the boat ride at Wakulla Spring first (not to missed!). Then around noon, drove to the Wakulla Station Trailhead, north of 267. (The southbound part of the trail into St. Marks is getting a major overhaul and is closed.) It was a little difficult to find the Wakulla Station Trailhead becuz we weren’t familiar with the area at all. It’s nothing “official” looking, just a parking lot next to a playground, on the left.

The trail is a straight, flat and beautiful tree-covered trail all the way into Tallahassee -- 18 miles RT! After jumping on the trail, Mick was so comfortable riding the trail that he took off like a jackrabbit, leading the way! We had to warn him several times to look both ways before streets and driveways, which crossed the trail. It was pretty hot, so we stopped several times to drink from our water bottles, but no complaints from Mick!

The Tallahassee Trailhead has bathrooms and interesting signs telling the history of the trail. However, we needed somewhere to eat closely. Other riders told us we were out of luck. This was a huge disappointment for Mick, as he was looking forward to the ice cream that Oma promised! But, he was a good sport and after wetting our heads with cold water from the water fountain and filling our water bottles, we started back. Mick commented several times that the 9 miles back to the SUV was much faster!

After loading up the bikes, using a previous rider’s review, we drove south on 30 to the Riverside Café in St. Marks. Mick loved his ice cold Root Beer and the food was delicious! A great way to end our latest biking adventure!

Word from the City of St. Marks is that the trail is scheduled to be completed July 1st. The last 6 miles from St. Marks to Hwy. 267 is still being worked on. The trail has been widened and resurfaced and should be pretty nice to use - I plan on checking it out when complete. I use it as often as possible and enjoy it every time!

We would like to welcome everyone to St. Marks and hope you enjoy your visit to this historic fishing village.

Patricia, Innkeeper :-)
Sweet Magnolia B & B Inn
St. Marks, FL 32355
850-925-7670

The St. Mark's Trail is closed from it's southern terminus in St. Mark's to about the 7-mile mark. According to the waitress at the Riverside Cafe in St. Mark's (a GREAT place to eat, by the way) the trail's been closed for about a week. She had no idea what kind of construction was going on or when the full trail would reopen.

This was a big disappointment for my wife and I who made the 2-1/2 hour drive from our home in Alabama to enjoy riding this trail. I hope it reopens, soon.

I rode this trail today and got lost. At Gaile Street, I saw a sign that said trail ended. I saw a bike lane across the street and I took that. I ended up several miles down on Route 319. Luckily my husband was sagging and we finally got hooked up. He took me to the trail head on 363 and I rode to St. Marks. It was a very nice trail once I found it.

Rode the trail, a week ago, with my son-in-law, from St. Marks north into Tallahassee. My daughter and wife went south to the beach while we rode. The trail, while not perfectly smooth in places, is very good. It was warm, but with the trail being shaded a lot of the time, we did well. Even the extension into Tallahassee was good. I've never seen bike activated stop light controls before! We ate in St. Marks at the Riverside and it was a good time, too.

Didn't get to see any cotton headed rattle mocassins, though. Bummer!

My only complaint was the little carniverous bugs that attacked us at St. Marks when we got back from riding. We could hardly see them but I'm still scratching. I don't know what they were - we don't have them in Ohio.

Steve K.

Finding the trailhead in Tallahassee was easy. A comfort station (clean!) is also available about half-way to St. Marks; a new playground is under construction there. The fort was closed, but we were able to walk around the grounds and eat lunch on the picnic table. A canopy of trees along the trail helped keep us cool. It happened to be a perfectly beautiful day with temps in the 70's.

"I use to run on this trail. I would only run 1.5 miles down, and then back. I like the mile markers.

I will say that quite often I did not feel safe...being a single female. Maybe because it is in a rural area. I stayed on the beginning part of the trail, along the road. So there were cars. I tried to bring a long a frined too. However, I was always too scared to ride my bike any good distance alone on it.

I am not saying it is unsafe for any reason...I just felt a bit uncertainat times!"

"What a great ride! The surface may show some wear and tear, but nothing to take away from this lovely and interesting ride."

"Posey's was the only place I knew of where I could line up with the boys to pee in an ice trough. (Well, OK the old Fulton County Stadium but they didn't have ice) If you've never been then sadly you'll never know the experience 'cause it's gone the wind and the water. Still standing but destroyed.

Don't let that loss deter you from riding the trail. There are other places to eat on the water and the fort is a great place to explore and learn a little history.

Didn't see any snakes rollerblading, though. Will keep my eyes peeled next time."

"In fact, there is a very rare bread of cottonmouth that is proficient at the both rollerblading and, strangely, BASE jumping...so be cautious if you're ever parachuting off a bridge!"

I'm no snake expert but I don't think moccasins can rollerblade.

"I second all the remarks about the trail, food, and attractions of the village. I often ride this trail on Sunday mornings. It takes me about 70 minutes (not a very fast pace, but my bike's motor is almost 60 years old) to get to St. Marks, where I arrive before 11 to have a very good breakfast at the Riverside Cafe overlooking the St. Marks River. Pelicans and sometimes otters entertain diners there.

The various road crossings, and especially the park about 6-7 miles north of St. Marks, permit rides of various lengths. After breakfast, a ride around St. Marks and a leisurely return ride to Tallahassee end a great day in the outdoors. I once passed a juvenile cottonmouth rollerblading this trail, so vigilance and caution are appropriate.

I have also encountered deer crossing the trail as well as the abundant and more domestic ""wildlife."" Another nearby cycling opportunity is the St. Marks Wildlife refuge and lighthouse which offers both the paved road to the lighthouse and unpaved levee roads around the ponds."

"We rode the trail on Monday, December 13. The weather was perfect and it was a delightful ride. We especially enjoyed visiting St. Marks and having lunch at the Riverside Cafe. "

"We rode from St. Marks to Tallahassee and back to St. Mark's for lunch. Unfortunately the trail extension into Tallahassee leaves you on a busy residential street with nothing around it. On the other end, St. Mark's is interesting with a good restaurant (Posey's, with a good smoked mullet).

The trail has tree roots coming through in some places and is in need of resurfacing."

"The trail closely parallels roads pretty much throughout, and the scenery is not particularly attractive. Although very bikeable, repaving will be necessary in the not too distant future. The neat thing about this trail is that it, unlike so many trails, has an interesting destination at the end: St. Marks, with lots to see, eat, and do. "

"We rode this trail today from Tallahassee to St. Marks. All in all it is a super trail. There are a few road crossings where you need to be cautious, especially the one at Wakulla at SR 365 and again US 98. Also be careful of some small holes in the asphalt. The majority of them were clearly circled with white paint. The last few miles of this trail are designated as a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail and are beautiful, the trail actually winds around a bit. At the end of the trail less than 1/2 mi. West is the San Marcos de Apalache State Historical Site. If you happen to have brought lunch with you, there are some real nice shady trees to enjoy. We may do that next time. Today we ate at a great little place in St. Marks called The Riverside Cafe. The menu was quite varied and extremely reasonable, I had a killer Grilled Chicken Sandwich with melted Swiss Cheese and Bacon. It is a perfect halfway rest spot. This is a ""Must Do"" if you are in the area."

"Be sure to explore the village of St. Marks at the southern terminus. The historical site with the remains of an old spanish fort at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers should not be missed. Also, you haven't 'done' the trail until you've visited Posey Oyster Bar."

"We stayed at the old hotel at Wakulla Springs state park, rode on-road to the trail, then took the trail to St. Marks, where we ate and drank too much at a wonderful resturant located right at the trail's terminus. It is a fine trail.

One quirk: we rode early in the morning in spring. Many snakes were sunning themselves on the trail's warm asphalt. Most were harmless. One, however, was a rattler. I imagine that this is a seasonal issue, and that one does not encounter snakes when it is warmer or colder. "