The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves [Paperback]

JOHNNY MOLLOY (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2001

Experienced outdoorsman Molloy explores the trails of Florida to provide readers with an easy-to-use, accurate, and thorough guide to hiking in more than 2 million acres of federally owned wilderness. These areas contain some of the Sunshine State's most spectacular scenery--from pristine beaches and emerald oceans to towering pine forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes. Illustrated with photgraphs by the author, this guide describes every marked and maintained trail in Florida's national forests, parks, and presesrves. Each description contains a profile of the path, detailing and rating its condition, length, and difficulty and describing the highlights and hazards of the trail.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

"Not only does Molloy give clear, evocative descriptions of each trail, he provides distances, hazards, the best season to make the hike, and where to get maps. . . . This book should be in every hiker's backpack."--Outdoor Adventure

 

"This detailed guidebook is interesting even if you never plan to hike. It tells all sorts of interesting historical tidbits about Key Biscayne, the Everglades, Ocala National Forest and other places."--Tribune and Times, Tampa, Florida

 

"A comprehensive presentation of the hiking trails on [Florida's] federal lands."--Kent L. Wimmer, Florida National Scenic Trail Liaison

"A well-written guide to Florida's wild places [and] to the real side of Florida. . . . It would make any outdoor enthusiast want to get out and hike."--Joan Hobson, vice president of trail maintenance, Florida Trail Association

For Florida hikers, vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers who want to plan and execute their own adventures, this second edition of the popular guidebook will be indispensable. Molloy and Friend explore the trails of Florida to provide readers with an easy-to-use, accurate, and thorough guide to hiking in more than 2 million acres of federally owned wilderness. These areas contain some of the Sunshine State's most spectacular scenery--from pristine beaches and emerald oceans to towering pine forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes.

Illustrated with photographs by the authors, this guide describes every marked and maintained trail in Florida's national forests, parks, and preserves. Each description contains a profile of the path, detailing and rating its condition, length, and difficulty and describing the highlights and hazards of the trail. Profiles also give trailhead directions, trail connections, and hiking season information, followed by a running narrative describing what hikers can expect to see and experience on the trails. This updated edition covers large and small changes in the trails since 2000, most notably the new western corridor of the Florida Trail through Ocala National Forest and the storm-driven changes to the same trail at Gulf Island National Seashore and in Everglades National Park. Also included is a new section on Canaveral National Seashore.

The book also features vignettes of natural and human history along the trails. Many of the areas border sinkholes and other geologic formations, wind through fascinating ecosystems such as the Everglades, and pass by historic sites such as old roadways, mail routes, battlefields, and military forts, and Molloy and Friend highlight these throughout the book in fascinating anecdotes. They also provide information on what to wear and bring on hiking expeditions to maximize safety and comfort along the great hiking trails of Florida’s protected lands.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

For hikers, vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts, and wildlife watchers who want to plan and execute their own adventures, Johnny Molloy's latest guidebook will be indispensable.

Experienced outdoorsman Molloy explores the trails of Florida to provide readers with an easy-to-use, accurate, and thorough guide to hiking in more than 2 million acres of federally owned wilderness. These areas contain some of the Sunshine State's most spectacular scenery--from pristine beaches and emerald oceans to towering pine forests and sparkling spring-fed lakes.

Illustrated with photographs by the author, this guide describes every marked and maintained trail in Florida's national forests, parks, and preserves. Each description contains a profile of the path, detailing and rating its condition, length, and difficulty and describing the highlights and hazards of the trails. Profiles also give trailhead directions, trail connections, and hiking season information, followed by a running narrative describing what hikers can expect to see and experience on the trails.

The book includes vignettes of natural and human history along the trails. Many of the areas border sinkholes and other geologic formations, wind through fascinating ecosystems such as the Everglades, and pass by historic sites like old roadways, mail routes, battlefields, and military forts, and Molloy highlights these throughout the book in fascinating anecdotes. He also provides information on what to wear and bring on hiking expeditions to maximize safety and comfort.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida; 1st edition (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813021103
• ISBN-13: 978-0813021102
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,164,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Guide, March 21, 2002

By 

Jennifer Dyer (Miami Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves (Paperback)

I thought the big Cypress Preserve was a wasteland until I bought this book. After hiking the Florida Trail through here I realize way they call it a preserve. The trip was challenging but Molloy's book helped immensely, especially with campsites.
I'm now headed to the Apalachicola National Forest for a week long hike before summer hits. The clear trailhead directions in this book will make it easy to get started. Wish me luck.
Jen Dyer- Miami, FL

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves, August 8, 2007

By 

Matt N. - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves (Paperback)

Good book with plenty of trail descriptions for the areas referred to in the title. Doesn't have any maps which is a downside, doesn't go over potential campsites very thoroughly either. All in all a good book. but you'll have to get Florida Trail maps to get a good feel for the hikes in here.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves, September 2, 2009

By 

C. V. Chidlow (North Central Florida) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks, and Preserves (Paperback)

This book, although not real new, is a gem packed with information about the beautiful Florida. Florida is blessed with four National Forests, an entire Florida Trail, so many parks and preserves. This outstanding book covers them all. An easy read, full of information and absolutely a great addition to our library.
CV Chidlow