Explore the best rated trails in Branford, FL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Four Freedoms Trail and Nature Coast State Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 148 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Parked at Bobby Sheppard ball park in Hampton and road 18 miles to Putnam Hall then back. Nice parking at the park, the trail is paved, smooth and has a lot of shade. Road ebikes. Not much bike or ped traffic on trail. Stopped in Keystone Heights at Pangborn Ice Cream!!!
We rode about 13 miles of the trail starting at the Chamber of Commerce in Chiefland then traveled West at Wilcox Junction past the Suwannee River where we turned around to our starting point. The trail was wide, paved and easily navigated. Very smooth and the parts we traveled had little to no road noise. Reason for a 4 out of a 5 rating. The trail is absolutely straight with pretty much the same vegetation the whole length. Not real exciting but it is one of those trails you can lay down some uninterrupted miles. Next time in the area we will do additional sections.
I just wanted to provide an update to individuals that have used the trail. Construction to pave the trail west from Hampton has started on January 1st from the CSX railroad crossing west across Highway 301 continuing on the former historic Southern Railway / NS right of way.
I rode my bike on this trail in November, 2025. The surface was in good shape. The trail did cross may driveways into businesses and homes, as well as crossing some streets into subdivisions, none of which was a problem. The traffic noise did not bother me. I feel that it just comes with the territory of a trail alongside a highway, and then let it go. Since I did get off I 75 to bike this trail, I ended up parking at Publix Super Market, which was about midway on the trail, rather than driving to Archer. I also biked the spur or loop that included the Veterans Memorial Park. I rode a total of 26 miles, which took me about 2 1/2 hours.
Loved this trail. Overall, I would rate the pavement quality as being very good. Yes there are some bumps and lumps, but that is to be expected when you’re riding deep under tree canopy. And yes, there are some hills! But this is central FL! expected for Central Florida.
Wife and I rode the entire trail. The trail seemed to have had the shoulders recently mowed but there was a lot of small limbs and large grass clumps on the trail from mowing discharge. The last 100 yards of the trail to the river is on a gravel drive. The point where the asphalt ends and this gravel drive needs a sign to tell you that you’re almost at the end. It’s very sketchy at the very end by the river. There were a few tables and shelter there. There were bumps in the asphalt from tree roots growing under the trail. Read the description of the parking for the trail head in MadisonThe trail has potential but just needs some love.
I started the trail in Hamilton. It is paved from there. Unfortunately no good parking. Very smooth and a lot of shade. Road just over 40 miles in July. Would definitely recommend. Needs more parking areas and places to take a break.
We live here and love this trail. We walk it and ride our e-bikes on it and it’s been great since they repaved it. They even added a bridge across the river by Ichetucknee Springs State Park that connects this trail to the O’Leno Trail. Hopefully they will repave the O’Leno Trail one day. Be aware that sadly the locals also use the trail with their golf carts and worse, their ATV’s. Even kids younger than 16 drive them on the trail. Most people are respectful of the walkers and bikers but not all so be careful. Hopefully it won’t take someone getting hurt to get the rules enforced.
So it’s a bit rough in spots, some of the macadam is bad in a few places, but it’s a trail ride so that’s ok by me. You want perfect roads, ride on the highway. The ride down to the river is nice with a great lunch spot.
This is a terrific ride on paved trail through shaded natural landscapes. Pine and live oak uplands and cypress swamps. The trail bed is in very good condition except for some minor root bumps here and there. Enjoyed the challenge of some long but gentle hills near the Gainesville end. We rode hybrid bikes so medium narrow tires and did nearly the entire trail and back again in two and a half hours of actual riding.
We rode the trail from the Florahome trailhead to the Keystone Heights trailhead. This section of the trail is paved, smooth, and well maintained. The keystone Heights trailhead is a little off as it’s basically in between a Wendy’s and a CVS store in the dude of a major highway. Before Keystone Heights, the trail goes primarily through trees and wetlands. There is spotty shade in some spots but otherwise full sun. It’s not a trail for summer time.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
