There’s something to be said for the quiet serenity a walk through the woods can bring. The sound of birds chirping, gravel and leaves crunching under foot. Marion County offers an abundance of natural trails to explore, many of which are part of a greater trail system, the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The National Trails System was founded through a congressional act in 1968. Through the National Trails System Act four types of long-distance trails were designated, including national scenic trails (NSTs), national historic trails (NHTs) and national recreation trails (NRTs). Since the inception of the system, congress has established 19 NHTs and 11 NSTs.
“We are lucky to have the Florida National Scenic Trail in our state,” says Kelly Van Patten, trail program director. “The trail is in the same family as the Appalachian Trail, and it was designated by Congress in 1983.”
Learn more about the Florida Trail and the Florida Trail Association in the April issue of 352 Preview magazine at https://issuu.com/352preview/docs/352_0421/23.
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