Managed as a part of Kings Park and operating parallel to SR 3 (North Courtney Parkway) and a mile east, the Island Pioneer Path on Merritt Island follows a well-hidden greenway.
The waterway it parallels is hydrologically linked to Sykes Creek and boasts its personal marked path, the Pioneer Paddling Path.
The primary walkway is pavedBy its identify and an sudden discover of an archway main into what was as soon as a homestead, we all know this hall was used for transportation way back.
We’ve hiked and biked this path in each instructions, and like the strategy by way of the Kings Park connector path and boardwalk to each add mileage and panoramic views.
Mangrove-lined waterwayOptionally available unpaved, unmarked trails lead off the principle path for extra cautious exploration to vistas alongside the mangrove swamps.
An unlucky quantity of invasive crops flank and shade the route, however native bromeliads and orchids are a part of the combo as properly.
Inspecting ferns on a cabbage palmSources
Overview
Location: Merritt IslandLength: 1.1 mile linear with spursTrailhead: 28.4348360, -80.6942636Address: 995 Chase Hammock Rd, Merritt IslandFees: NoneRestroom: Vault bogs at trailheadsLand supervisor: Brevard CountyPhone: 321-633-1874
Open every day dawn to sundown. Leashed canines welcome. Open to cyclists. Count on each solar and bugs. Plan accordingly.
A central paved path with bridges and boardwalks is accessible between each trailheads. Facet paths will not be.
Hold alert for poison ivy and Brazilian pepper (additionally an irritant) in the event you step off the paved path.
Instructions
Hike
The Island Pioneer Path begins behind a gate. The broad paved path pathway parallels the southern shoreline of a giant lake, doubtless a borrow pit for fill for roads on the island.
Curving between a wall of vegetation largely made up of invasive Brazilian pepper and palms alongside the lakeshore, it stays near the water’s edge.
North entranceBenches entrance the lake, offering perches for birding with scenic panoramas throughout the glowing expanse.
Curve previous a frontage of palm hammock, the place some extent of land extends into the water, a bench set within the shade.
Palm-lined shorelinePast openings alongside a cove within the marshy southern finish of the lake, vegetation closes in on the paved path, hemming its edges.
Nearby of a overwhelmed path right down to the water’s edge, attain the beginning of a protracted boardwalk after 1 / 4 mile.
BoardwalkConveying the path above a mangrove-lined creek linked to the lake, it reaches a T intersection with signage.
Flip left to deal with the longer, extra scenic section of the path first. It parallels a mangrove-lined waterway on the suitable.
Paved pathwayEdged by cedars, palms, and oaks, the waterway is a part of a mazy system of channels utilized by the Pioneer Paddling Path.
Bromeliads thrive on this humid setting. Seasonally, orchid blossoms dangle amid the greenery.
Orchid blossomsFerns develop in profusion on cabbage palms, together with lush streamers of shoelace fern and showy golden polypody.
Move a overwhelmed footpath on the left at 0.7 miles. Past it are a number of openings on the suitable with views throughout the adjoining waterway.
Waterway viewQuickly after, there’s a wood arch on the suitable that appears to outline an entrance, together with the stays of an previous gate.
This frivolously trod path leads into an narrowing peninsula the place a homestead doubtless as soon as stood. It’s as much as a quarter-mile spherical journey.
Exploring the aspect pathReturning to the paved path, proceed south between the cedars and palms and different sporadic vegetation.
An unlucky quantity of cogongrass parallels the trail, which attracts nearer to the water once more on a protracted curve to the suitable.
Curving pathViews of the waterway open briefly on the strategy to a set of stanchions marking the north finish of the South Trailhead.
Proceed by means of them into the trailhead advanced, the place there’s a vault bathroom throughout from the launch for the Pioneer Paddling Path.
South TrailheadFlip round right here 1.2 miles from the North Trailhead, or 1.5 in the event you discover the previous homestead space.
On the return journey, preserve alert for the footpath on the suitable a half mile up the path.
Facet path to northThis aspect path passes by means of pine flatwoods to achieve visits a peninsula with an arc of a slender canal round it.
At its far finish, 1 / 4 mile round-trip, peek out over the waterway among the many mangroves.
Pine flatwoodsReturning to the paved path, proceed north. Glimpses of the mangrove waterway on the left resume.
Attain the junction with the boardwalk 2.4 miles into the hike (if each spur trails are taken).
Boardwalk junctionYet one more spur path stays: straight forward. Paved your entire manner, it narrows beneath the shade of not-so-native timber.
After 1 / 4 mile, it ends at a tall fence with a locked gate. Flip round and return to the boardwalk.
Shaded pathCrossing the boardwalk alongside the salt creek, depart the mangroves behind for the paved path alongside the lake.
Return to the North Trailhead at Kings Park to finish a stroll of as much as 3.2 miles in the event you take the footpath spurs, 2.7 miles in the event you keep on with the accessible walkways.
Return alongside the boardwalkPath Map
Discover Extra!
Be taught extra about Kings Park and the Pioneer Paddling Path
Kings Park A mosaic of landscapes disturbed by previous improvement now lush with vegetation, Kings Park protects each freshwater and brackish waterways with a ribbon of motorbike path between them.
Pioneer Paddling Path Amid mangrove swamps alongside an previous pioneer route in Kings Park, the Pioneer Paddling Path affords an intimate take a look at a forgotten wild hall on Merritt Island.Video
Mountaineering the Island Pioneer Path
Slideshow
See our images from the Island Pioneer Path
Close by Adventures
Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Good friend & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
