One in every of many doable hikes at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Protect, this triple loop makes use of scenic singletrack to tie two of the showiest trails collectively.
The immersive Ford Loop delights by itself with tunnel-like passages beneath a sand stay oak cover and massive oaks and pines on its perimeter.
Pair it with the gorgeous panoramas of Spruce Creek from its excessive bluffs on this generally rugged hike.
Spruce Creek from the Bluffs PathKaye Entry makes a wonderful place to begin because it’s simply accessed by paved roads in New Smyrna Seaside, not like the extra distant Martins Dairy trailhead on the west aspect of the protect.
The customarily-steep terrain makes this a significant vacation spot for singletrack in addition to equestrians, so count on to share the paths, particularly on weekends.
Kiosk for the beginning of this hike at Kaye EntrySources
Overview
Location: New Smyrna BeachLength: 3.6 milesTrailhead: 29.069077, -80.985288Address: 2317 Creek Shore Path, New Smyrna BeachFees: FreeRestroom: Transportable bogs nearbyLand supervisor: Volusia CountyPhone: 386-736-5953
Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canine welcome. Insect repellent strongly inspired.
All trails are open to climbing, off-road biking, and equestrian use besides the place posted. Some bike trails are one-way solely.
Instructions
Hike
From the kiosk in entrance of a fenced grassy expanse, stroll in direction of the wooded fringe of the parking space.
A path marker beckons down a broad path into the oak hammock, with an indication for the Ford Loop at a T intersection.
Entrance to the Ford LoopFlip proper, shortly getting into deep shade beneath an archway of sand stay oaks lined with noticed palmetto.
This picturesque hall meets a T intersection with a path coming in from the grassy space. Flip left. Oak leaves pop and crackle alongside the broad path.
Picturesque hallDescending slowly round curves, the path meets a triangle intersection at a tall southern magnolia at a half mile.
Bear proper, leaving the Ford Loop for a large, shaded connector between crisscrossing singletrack loops, passing a junction marked SC4-E.
Broad connectorLook ahead to a gap on the left that reveals an orange signal topped with a bell and head for it.
The admonition to ring the bell is for cyclists and equestrians; hikers take far longer to cross the ravine.
The bell earlier than the descentDescend sharply to a causeway over a waterway flowing right into a marshy cove of Spruce Creek, edged by Virginia willow, cattails, and large leather-based fern.
The slender bridge is the pinch level for fast-moving path customers. Climbing up the bluff on the other aspect, attain an indication pointing to the West Trailhead.
Causeway bridgeSkip the path to the left and the singletrack on the correct, staying with what seems like the principle path by the bluff forest.
Largely shaded by magnolias, oaks, and cabbage palms, it quickly narrows and makes curves by the woods, doubling again on itself at one level as singletrack tends to do.
Curving singletrack climbAscending all of the whereas, lastly emerge at a four-way path intersection after 1.1 miles. Throughout the best way is marker SC-22W. Flip proper.
Following a well-worn sandy strip beneath energy strains, go what might be your return path on the correct, instantly throughout from a singletrack on the left.
4 method junction beneath energy strainsThe trail you’re on descends, curving alongside the sting of one other marshy cove on Spruce Creek.
Begin the climb to the bluffs because the path swings away from the cove, brushing by palmetto fronds beneath the oaks. The thinned cover speaks to the ravages of previous hurricanes.
Low spot alongside the coveGlimpses of the creek basin start on the correct throughout the ascent. Sand pine scrub tops the bluffs, with a thicket of scrubby understory beneath the decrease cover of oaks.
Ambling beneath draperies of Spanish moss, come to an unimaginable overlook on a horseshoe curve in Spruce Creek at 1.3 miles. A bench sits within the shade not far previous it.
Horseshoe curve in Spruce CreekThe gradual, curving ascent of the bluffs continues. Archaeological surveys in 1885 confirmed a 52-acre mound complicated topped these heights, a part of an indigenous village relationship to 800 AD.
Whereas what stays of these middens is past this loop, analyzing maps on the kiosks offers you an thought of the in depth array of trails to plot loops alongside on this protect.
Glimpses of the creek proceedThe sinuous curves and blue waters of the creek are regularly seen past a skinny display of vegetation because the curves of the Bluff Path proceed.
The subsequent overlook offers a broader overview of the horseshoe curve and residences on the far shore of Spruce Creek in Port Orange.
Pausing for a photographYounger sand pines pepper the sandy path with brief needles. Narrowing, the trail attracts near a creek basin panorama seen by the bushes.
Previous a blaze put up, tall grasses edge the path, which tunnels by the scrub understory earlier than rising on the last overlook at 1.6 miles.
The view down the steep bluffs is as spectacular because the panorama throughout the waterway. One other bench adjoins in a small clearing.
Remaining overlookPrevious this overlook, the fence alongside the bluff ends. The Bluffs Path turns in direction of the West Trailhead to tie into the better system of greater than ten miles of mazy loops.
Except you’ve plotted out a path to take you farther, flip round and stroll again alongside the bluffs, savoring a second take a look at the views by the bushes and from the overlooks.
Flip round the place the path leaves the bluffsAt 1.8 miles, simply shy of the easternmost overlook, a path signal on the correct calls your consideration to a parallel singletrack. Step over to it and switch left.
Its descent is much extra mild than the one on the Bluffs Path. Move junctions with different singletrack trails earlier than reaching the sand highway beneath the ability line at 2 miles. Cross the highway to proceed.
Junction at energy lineWhereas slender, this explicit loop of singletrack is among the showiest within the protect. It curves and descends beneath a excessive cover of forest.
Reaching a palm hammock above Spruce Creek, new views throughout the creek open up alongside mild descents. There’s a spot to stroll out to the water’s edge.
Spruce CreekFlip to parallel the cove within the creek, passing beneath towering southern magnolias. Then it’s time to ascend by this lush habitat, with glimpses of the marsh within the cove.
Attain the highest of the causeway crossing previous the SC21-W signal at 2.5 miles. Flip left, strolling downhill previous the signal with the bell.
Descent to the causewayAs soon as throughout the causeway, go straight forward to satisfy the doubletrack path you took to the causeway and make a proper. Meet the Ford Loop once more at 2.6 miles.
Proceed straight previous a sheltered bench, ambling by an interpretive signal about gopher tortoises.
Rejoining the Ford LoopCabbage palms develop profusely by this hammock. Each they and slash pines tower to unimaginable heights.
Turning to parallel a fence, stroll beneath these giants and previous large stay oaks. Ferns and lichens smother their fallen brethern.
Below the tall bushesCurving away from the property fence at 3 miles, enter a hall outlined by noticed palmetto beneath lyonia and quite a lot of oaks preferring drier floor.
Interlocking their limbs, the oaks kind a tunnel impact. Pines hidden by this cover of shade carpet the footpath with their fallen needles.
Canopied pathAt a T intersection with a bench at 3.4 miles, flip left. Longleaf pines grace this final stretch of the scrub-edged hall as much as the top of the Ford Loop.
On the signal, flip proper to exit to the parking space, finishing this 3.6 mile hike with a return to the trailhead kiosk.
Nearing the top of the loopPath Map
Discover Extra!
Study extra about Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Protect
Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Protect Defending miles of frontage alongside the sinuous path of Spruce Creek, Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Protect provides a various assortment of trails to discover. Video
Mountain climbing the Ford Loop
Slideshow
See our photographs from this hike
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
Writer of 45 books, Sandra Buddy established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to increase on the sector analysis she’d accomplished for her first six climbing guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Out of doors Writers Affiliation.
