It’s hard to believe that the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway was once the site of a environmental disaster in the making. Known before as the Cross Florida Barge Canal, this 110-mile corridor of land would have instead been a passage for ships rather than for foot, bike, or horse travel.
The Cross Florida Greenway is home to America’s first Land Bridge, rising above Interstate 75 just south of Ocala. This 52-foot wide concrete pathway provides safe travel over the interstate to wildlife, hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. If you have ever traveled I-75 around the Ocala area, then chances are you have seen the Land Bridge.
The closest access point is via the Land Bridge Trailhead, of course. Located right off CR 475A, it’s a short 1.1 or 2.1 mile walk out to the Land Bridge, depending on the trail you take. It’s not much different length wise for horseback riders or bicyclists as well. So, now that you know where it’s at, what are you waiting for?
Both the Florida Trail and the bike trails here are great. I often find myself hiking out to the Land Bridge and back and then biking out there as well. I’ll let you in on a little secret, on the other side of CR 475A where the FT crosses, there’s a huge blackberry field. I spent a couple of hours out here once before picking berries to take back home with me!
If you are hiking on the FT around here, bring along some bug spray as usual. I didn’t have any problems on this visit, but once before I was chased out of the woods by an enormous swarm of deer flies. Take my advice, apply the spray. All too often I regret not putting on bug juice and it always comes back to haunt me, usually in the form of swollen itching bites.
Get on out to the Land Bridge for a fantastic place to spend the day!
Want more information on the Land Bridge? Here’s some links:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/crossflorida/trails/landbridge.htm
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