Trails
of Madison County Florida

 
Bicycling, Horseback Riding, Canoeing, Hiking
Click on the above interest

by Jim Wagner

Madison County recognizes the important connection between land use, healthy rivers, and forests. These resources have been the basis of our economy for generations through such activities as agriculture, forestry, and outdoor recreation. The legacy of this nature-based economy is a vast greenway system with numerous lakes, trails, and rivers linked county-wide through a system of multiple-use trails.

Whether you bike, canoe, fish, hike, or ride horses, Madison County offers a wide array of trails with unlimited possibilities. These trails are interconnected and can be explored in a few hours, a day, several days, or weeks. In addition to greenway trails for non-motorized vehicles, Madison County offers a driving tour and urban trails such as the walking tour in the City of Madison. Of course, even this downtown trail is shaded by live oaks and perfumed with magnolias, camellias, dogwoods, and other flowering shrubs and trees as it leads the visitor through some of Florida’s oldest history and culture.

Bike Trail (The Loop) 

The Loop consists of over 100 miles of on-road bicycling. The trail traverses some of the best scenery in north Florida and can be done in segments. The Loop is well designated, and “Share the Road” signs are posted along the way. Off-road biking is available in Twin Rivers State Forest. A bicycle repair shop is located in downtown Madison.

Canoe Trails

Three State of Florida designated canoe trails border Madison County. The Aucilla, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee rivers offer canoeists and kayakers diverse and scenic wilderness trips in the Original Florida. See related article on page 19.

The Driving Tour

This trail comprises over 80 miles of some of north Florida’s most scenic country roads. In addition, the tour runs through quaint towns and includes historical sites along the way. The tour can be driven in its entirety or in segments and is easily accessible from I-10 or I-75.

Fishing Trail

This trail includes the Withlacoochee, Suwannee, and Aucilla rivers and Cherry Lake. Accesses for the Withlacoochee and Suwannee are in Twin Rivers State Forest. Accesses for the Aucilla are on Highway 90 west of Greenville and on Highway 27 south of Greenville.

Cherry Lake, located off Highway 53 north of Madison, encompasses 600 acres and is one of Florida’s premier bass fishing lakes.

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails are located in the 15,000 acre Twin Rivers State Forest on Madison County’s eastern boundary. The Florida National Scenic Trail traverses the Ellaville tract located on Highway 90, approximately eight miles east of Lee, Florida. Twin Rivers State Forest runs along the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers.

Horse Trails

There are both public and private areas for trail riding on Madison’s horse trails. Twin Rivers State Forest has several tracts of land open for trail riders. Horse rentals and livery are available in Pinetta. Local trail rider associations and clubs sponsor rides periodically.

The Walking Tour

The walking tour takes visitors through downtown Madison. The tour includes many historic sites, museums, parks, and monuments. Along the way, visitors can visit an antebellum mansion and see Victorian and other architectural styles. Other points of interest along the way are the world’s largest cotton gin from the late 1800s, the historic courthouse, and a 20-acre nature center at North Florida Community College.

Notes and Information

Overnight camping in Twin Rivers State Forest is not permitted. Exceptions to this are only for non-motorized use such as canoers, bikers, hikers, etc. Motorized use of the forest is limited. Information can be obtained from the Department of Forestry, Live Oak, at 904–208–1462 on the appropriate uses of the forest.

Information on campgrounds, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, the walking tour, and restaurants can be obtained from the Madison County Chamber of Commerce at 850–973–2788 or chamber@madisonfl.org.