Hike the Fort Braden Trails

From the trail head, hikers have two immediate options: to hike the west loop or the center loop. Both are roughly three miles in length and offer primitive campsites, which can be reserved through the dispatch office at Lake Talquin State Forest Headquarters at 865 Geddie Rd, Tallahassee, Fl. The center loop also features a group site for users of the equestrian trails as well as a day use picnic area on the shores of Lake Talquin. From this vantage point eagles and osprey can be spotted as they soar high above the lake shore hunting for fish and waterfowl. the central and west loops are easy to moderate with several short grades over 10%. Both trails connect with the east loop for a combined nine mile trail system. The four and a half mile east loop is slightly more robust, as it has several short yet steep grades over 15%. All three trails showcase the unique topography of the North Florida Slope forest ecosystem. Steephead ravines provide a fairly constant temperature year-round allowing northern species like American Beech to survive and thrive in the southernmost extent of their range. As hikers climb in elevation and move away from the lake, the slope forests eventually give way to the Longleaf pine - wiregrass ecosystem. Much drier and sandier than the slopes, grasses and shrubs dominate the under-story in this fire-dependent forest type. The Florida Forest Service conducts a very active and effective prescribed burn program within Lake Talquin State Forest, so hikers should not be surprised to find burnt swathes of forest in the restoration areas. The parking area features a vault toilet, information kiosk, and picnic area complete with BBQ pits and pavilion. The contrasting ecosystems, connectable trail system, and plentiful recreation sites at Fort Braden make it a short but sweet trip into the forests of North Florida.