The Nature Conservancy Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (Garden of Eden trail) - Bristol, Florida

Ryan M.

Great hike with some amazing views. The walk thru the ravines is amazing in itself, then the view of Apalachicola from the bluff was just epic.

Donna H.

Very treacherous terrain it's a 6 and half mile hike no bathrooms and only one water fountain and garbage can at the beginning of park very interesting and beautiful overlooking the water once getting to it. But very dangerous ware proper foot wear and bug spray and be sure to bring cold drinks and backpack to carry it

Knud H.

I love this trail for it's variety of terrain and fun little ups and downs. More elevation gain than you get on most trails in Florida. Very well maintained trail. Lovely overlook with great views. Very doable with kids although I would bugdet 3 hours with a picnic lunch at the bluff.

Crowky

Been here twice and both times was a great workout. Would not recommend if you have knee problems because there is so many steps. The first half of the trail is covered and then about mid way it’s open and then the river loop is covered again.

Ivory R.

I really enjoyed the hike because it actually has terrain you can't find often in Florida. If you're looking for them, the trail is super rich in birds, insects, and plants and it goes through many different environments so you get to see some diversity through that aspect.

Dusty R.

This would be a place to train for the Appalachian Trail in Florida. Lots of ups and downs, with some navigating of rough terrain. This isn't a trail for the less able-bodied. If you're out of shape, you could take it slow and spend 5 hours. However, it has narrow stretches with dropoffs, washed-out stairs, downed trees, and many parts that the trail are essentially just tree roots holding the soil in place. The River Loop is more strenuous and not marked well. Skip that if you had trouble on the trail to the bluff.

I totally enjoyed the trip and saw many wildflowers even in a dry May. I loved the challenge, though there were times I slowed down so much that the bugs caught up with me. Repellent in the bug season would be a good idea for comfort.

Check the weather forecast before heading out. You don't want to be stuck out there in a storm.

Leslie G.

This was an amazing hike. However, HIKER BE WARNED. I measured, this hike is 5 miles round-trip, not 3 miles as is listed. Also, there is a lot of ups and downs. I have no issues with either of these things, however I do feel like people should be aware of what they are getting into. I brought my 10 and 5 year old sons and they loved the hike, however I worried constantly about the narrow paths on the ravines. All went well though. It is a truly beautiful hike and I do plan to go again. There is an overlook on the river at the halfway point and it is very beautiful. A perfect spot to stop for lunch. The hike overall was amazing.

Jtally

Beautiful, but includes steep ravine sections of trail. Make sure you're in good shape for hiking on steep inclines with some washout and exposed roots. Have shoes with a good bite because it's even more fun going back down the slopes! Mostly sandy pine habitat, but the ravines give you more of a clay soil/mixed hardwood shady habitat. Storm debris is cleaned up, but there are a couple of fallen trees you'll have to duck under. Give yourself a minimum of 3 hours to hike the complete loop, and take pictures along the river. Helpful tip- the numbered posts along the trail go up to 15, so you'll have an idea how far you've progressed along your hike.