Encompassing the historic right-of-way of the Dwell Oak, Tampa, and Charlotte Harbor Railroad by Branford, the Suwannee River Greenway facilities in town of Branford.
The unique railway line was prolonged south to Excessive Springs and Gainesville by railroad tycoon Henry Plant in the course of the Gilded Age, changing into the Seaboard Coast Line.
As soon as an essential port on the Suwannee River, Branford was referred to as Rowland’s Bluff in its heyday. Steamboats coming upriver from the Gulf docked right here.
Historic Branford DepotEstablished by the Workplace of Greenways and Trails in a joint effort with Suwannee County, the Greenway connects to 3 rivers through 14.5 linear miles of paved path.
Southeast of Branford, the paved pathway parallels US 129 to the Santa Fe River, with an alternate department east alongside US 27 to the Ichetucknee River.
As facet paths alongside highways, each routes are largely within the solar. Distance-wise they work nicely for cyclists however not for hikers.
Shady hall north of BranfordOn foot, you’ll wish to stick with essentially the most scenic portion of the greenway, centered on Branford. Hike or bike as much as 9.7 miles alongside this route.
Our route begins on the major trailhead downtown, with an extension south crossing busy US 27 to go to Branford Spring at Ivey Memorial Park.
Downtown trailheadSometimes busy with boaters, Ivey Memorial Park presents an impressive view of the Suwannee River and paddler entry to the Suwannee River Wilderness Path.
Together with its showy spring basin, the park offers an alternate trailhead for exploring the southern finish of the greenway.
Branford SpringAssets
Overview
Location: BranfordLength: As much as 9.7 miles round-tripTrailhead: 29.956563, -82.928934Address: Path St, Branford (behind 304 SW Suwannee Ave)Charges: NoneRestroom: At Ivey Memorial ParkLand supervisor: Suwannee CountyPhone: 386-362-3004
Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canines welcome; decide up after your pet. No tenting alongside route. The floor is accessible. Sporadic benches offered.
Instructions
Hike or Bike
Be a part of the paved path beneath the oaks and begin northbound, crossing over a sandy entry highway resulting in the historic Branford Depot.
Established in 1882 because the terminus of the Dwell Oak and Rowland’s Bluff Railroad, it remained in service for a lot of many years.
It was moved to this spot by the Branford Shrine Membership in 1982. Behind it’s a view of the Suwannee River by the timber.
Branford DepotNorth of its entrance highway, proceed beneath a shaded avenue of planted reside oak timber behind business buildings.
Low fences on both facet of greenway outline the path by downtown Branford earlier than it slips into a nice tree-edged hall.
Simply north of downtownAt 0.6 miles, emerge right into a grassy clearing and cross NW 2nd Avenue. Proceed right into a forested hall northbound, leaving downtown behind.
The subsequent two tenths of a mile parallel a residental road however is properly buffered by tall timber and a grassy expanse on the fitting.
Hall in residential spaceA trailside bench and gravel highway with a gate alerts entry to the Branford Bend Tract at 0.8 miles.
A part of Suwannee River Water Administration District lands, it was the placement of a pioneer homstead alongside a river bend.
Entry to the Branford Bend TractA prolonged canopied hall commences, signaling one of the best a part of the greenway. It’s a nice tunnel by the woods.
At 1.3 miles, a sheltered bench adjoins the path. Cross a mud highway resulting in privately managed timberlands to the west.
Trailside benchThe cover thins considerably because the path approaches the highway crossing for unpaved 254th Terrace at 2 miles, which leads west to residences bordering a farm.
Lush grapevines fill within the understory for the following stretch, rising up amid the timber to create a decrease cover.
Using beneath the grapevinesAt 2.4 miles, depart the forested hall because the paved path swings out in the direction of US 129 to grow to be a sidepath. Cross 250th Terrace inside a tenth of a mile.
This side-of-the-road stretch is the least compelling portion of the northbound route, mirroring the character of the path south of Branford.
Using subsequent to US 129At 3.1 miles, attain CR 248 the place the pavement of the Suwannee River Greenway ends. Little River Springs lies 1.8 miles west.
A county park, this fashionable swimming gap is a second magnitude spring alongside the Suwannee River with a showy mingling of waters at its outflow.
Little River SpringsFlip round at pavement’s finish and retrace the path hall again in the direction of Branford.
Re-enter the forested right-of-way at 3.8 miles. On the return route, the benches are positioned at 4.9 miles and 5.4 miles.
Lengthy straight stretch in the direction of the bench at 4.9 milesBy 5.5 miles, return to the north fringe of residential Branford. Cross the doorway highway to the historic prepare station. Attain the trailhead parking space at 6.1 miles.
To proceed southbound, you may have two choices. There’s a crosswalk at US 27 however not a single driver stopped for us regardless of state regulation and signage.
In case you cross, accomplish that fastidiously. We propose households transfer their automobile to Ivey Memorial Park.
US 27 crosswalkPast the highway crossing, the greenway right-of-way stays on a excessive embankment above the park, outlined by fences.
Not till the fence ends and the path drops to highway stage are you able to double-back into the park to go to Branford Spring.
Highway main again into the parkA steep set of picket stairs results in a boardwalk half-circling this second magnitude spring.
Chalky aqua-green waters bubble up and move by a brief, curving spring run to pour into the Suwannee.
Descent to Branford SpringThe park itself is a former roadside park alongside US 27 with classic picnic pavilions and restrooms on the next bluff.
A publish close to the boat ramp ominously marks the peak of floodwaters throughout main floods through the years.
Waterfront at Ivey Memorial ParkPast the park, the Suwannee River Greenway is essentially shaded because it parallels Outdated US 27 previous homesteads to the sting of Branford.
Assembly the shared route of US 27 and US 129 due east, it turns into a sidepath. Flip round at this level to finish a 9.7 mile round-trip.
Paralleling previous US 27 in BranfordCyclists have the choice of extending their mileage by driving to the Ichetucknee River and/or the Santa Fe River, as proven in blue on the map under.
It’s 2.4 miles east to the place the path (and US highways) break up at a site visitors gentle. Proceed one other 2.8 miles south to William Man Lemmon Memorial Park on the Santa Fe River.
Or cross US 129 to parallel US 27 to the Ichetucknee River, one other 4.6 miles east. In all, you possibly can experience as much as 29.3 miles round-trip alongside it.
In adjoining Gilchrist County, the sidepath continues east of the Ichetucknee River into Fort White in the direction of Excessive Springs because the O’Leno to Ichetucknee Path.
Ichetucknee River bridgePath Map
Discover Extra!
Study extra in regards to the Suwannee River Wilderness Path
Suwannee River Wilderness Path Showcasing springs, sandy seashores, waterfalls, and haunting swamp forests the place manatees collect, the 170-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Path is a paddling journey of a lifetimeVideo
Biking the Suwannee River Greenway at Branford
Slideshow
See our images from the Suwannee River Greenway
Close by Adventures
Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Buddy & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
