Trail Descriptions
Anderson Springs - Map
Approx 8 miles - Challenging
Description:This trail is located in the Anderson Springs Tract of Twin Rivers State Forest, along the Suwannee River, just south of Ellaville. It lies across the river and south of the South Ellaville Tract. The entrance to the tract is on River Road, just south of the I-10 crossing. The tract has a long section of river frontage and a first magnitude spring, Anderson Spring, at the edge of the river. When water levels are high, the spring is covered by brown river water. But when the water in the river is at lower levels, the spring pumps large quantities of clear water into the river and makes a great swimming place. The Suwannee Bicycle Association has developed singletrack trail along the river for a couple of miles. The trail affords spectacular views of the river, and large gar fish can often be seen making incredible splashes in the murky water. The return trail back to the trailhead at the spring is quite technical with lots of hillocks and tree roots to traverse.
Bridge-to-Bridge - Map
4.5 - Intermediate to Challenging
Description: Located just behind the White Springs ball fields and cemetery, Bridge-To-Bridge Trail is a short, but challenging singletrack with plenty of sharp turns, climbs and descents. It follows the river for more than a mile with many scenic overlooks. Experienced off-road riders with good technical riding skills enjoy this trail. The whole loop is approximately 4.5 miles long.
Big Shoals Conservation Area - Map
5 to 25 miles - Intermediate to Challenging
Description - Big Shoals Public Lands is a very large area of more than 4,000 acres, which is managed jointly by SRWMD, Florida Division of Forestry, Florida State Parks and Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. This area has varied terrain with scenic vistas from high river bluffs. The land is noted for its mature pine forests, diverse plant communities and forest types, including swamps, pine flats and mixed hardwood forests. Many gopher tortoise burrows can be found in the state park, where FWC has had an on-going project to reestablish the population. During the hunting season the area hosts limited hunts only. Be sure to check the hunt schedules in the spring and fall.
One of the major natural attractions of the area is the Big Shoals of the Suwannee, where the river flows over a series of bedrock ledges and drops to create a spectacular section of white water. At most water levels the roar of the water cascading over the shoals can be heard quite a distance away.
The traditional ride through this area starts at the Little Shoals Entrance (water available at check station) and follows Road 7 to the "Ravine Trail," a singletrack that follows an old wagon road over Bottom Bay Creek and along the bluffs to Road 6. From Road 6 (Pignut Hickory sign) the trail descends the Cody Scarp and winds through levees and flatwoods to Little Shoals. From these shoals, follow Road 4 to Road 2 (triple gate intersection). Take Road 2 to the Palmetto Trail. Look for this segment's beginning near the river, where Road 2 takes a significent bend to the north. The Palmetto Trail is a windy single track, developed by Suwannee Bicycle Association volunteers north to " The Big Shoals." From the shoals, retrace trail to the "Palmetto" sign and follow the path away from the river to the "Beaver Dam Boardwalk" and Road 18, which leads back to Road 2. From the Road 18/2 intersection, you can follow Road 2 south back to the triple gate and old field/live oak picnic area or north to Road 1. Road 1 also goes to the old field/live oak picnic area and back to the Little Shoals entrance. You can also reach the Godwin Bridge entrance by turning right at the major intersection where Road 2 becomes Road 1. This entrance has water, toilets, large picnic area and Long Branch Trail, 3.5 miles of singletrack with varied terrain and blueberries! The yellow blazed trail in the conservation area from the shoals to the picnic ground is a hiking-only trail; please respect the wishes of the land managers. Total mileage of bicycle trail is about 12 miles.
Directions: The official trailhead kiosk is at the picnic area in the Big Shoals Conservation Area. Follow County Road 135 (Woodpecker Route) for 3.6 miles north from its intersection with US 41 (flashing light in town). Turn right on Godwin Bridge Rd and follow it for 1.5 miles to the entrance of the tract. To find the 3.5 mile Long Branch trail return up the entrance road to the canoe launch road, turn right and immediately look for the gated jeep road on the left with blue blazes on the trees. This is "Dog Fennel Road", the entrance to the trail. Follow the blazes and marker posts.
Gar Pond - Map
6 miles - Beginner to Intermediate
Description: The bicycle route through this area has been enhanced with quite a bit of singletrack. A good ride through the area is to follow the marked jeep roads through the area, then return by way of the singletrack trails. Gar Pond is a shallow lake surrounded by marsh land. Many types of water birds can often be spotted. A second lake, known as the "Pit Pond" is man made and was left after excavation for the embankment for the Highway 41 Bridge. A few large sinks also contain water holes. Many blackberries line the jeep roads and bear a lot of fruit in season. Titi and sparkleberry bushes are also abundant in many areas and give a magnificent show of blooms about mid to late May. If both double track jeep roads and single track trails are ridden, the area currently has about 6 miles of bicycle trails.
Little Shoals - Map
2.5 miles - Beginner
Description: The bicycle ride through Little Shoals Tract is on jeep roads, sometimes sandy, sometime grassy and pine bordered and sometimes muddy with swamps immediately adjacent. At the far end of the loop, a short side trail leads to Little Shoals, historically used by Indians and settlers alike to ford the river. The Little Shoals make a great place for tubing or floating down the rapids, when the water level is right. Most of the tract is quite low with large swampy areas and some standing water on the road after rainstorms. Total length of the loop road is 2.5 miles. If you ride the spur road, which also leads to the river, add an additional mile to the total.
Directions: One mile from SBA headquarters. Entrance is near agricultural inspection station.
Falling Creek - Map
Five miles of single track is being added to our trail system at Falling Creek in February 2008. For a description and map of Falling Creek go to the link below
