I am looking to hike (walk) a Marathon on January 20th, 2026 on the Florida Trail. Any suggestions on what section I should concentrate on when planning my route? I live in Central Florida but willing to go anywhere. Looking for a section that will have multiple stops in case something happens and relatively easy and in the woods. Im a novice but just trying to push myself and get outside my comfort zone. Thanks for any suggestions or input!
I’m a solo woman traveler looking to do a 4–5 day inn-to-inn trip on foot along the northeast Florida coast. I won’t have a car, so I’ll be plopping into the first inn via public transit or ride-share and walking from there. Ideally, I’d love to walk along the beach or scenic areas as much as possible, stopping at inns or guesthouses each night.
I'm thinking of a thru hike from Amelia Island to St. Augustine. Here’s the general path I’m considering (open to adjustments!):
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Day 1: Fort Clinch or Fernandina Beach to Big Talbot Island (via Amelia Island State Park and the George Crady Bridge)
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Day 2: Big Talbot through Little Talbot to Mayport, then take the ferry across the St. Johns River
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Day 3: Mayport area down to Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra
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Day 4: South Ponte Vedra to Vilano Beach, then cross the causeway into St. Augustine
I know some stretches may require walking on roads or using trails when the beach isn’t accessible, but I’m okay with that. My priority is scenic beauty and coastal vibes. I don’t mind long walking days, just want to avoid highways and tourist traps.
Has anyone done any part of this walk? Are there places I should absolutely stay or avoid? Also curious about tide timing, safety for solo travelers, and how beach-walkable the stretches really are.
Trying to find where in Florida this may be.
A terrain exists both wild and wide, with hidden waters the trees still hide. Where land echoes forgotten tales, you'll choose a path from many trails. A place kept by Florida’s hand, with wildlife, rivers, and trails of sand. It’s not a park with crowds and signs, but peaceful woods with soaring pines.
