Alongside A1A in a fantastically canopied portion of Hammock, the Mala Compra Greenway encompasses the footprint of a former roadside attraction south of Marineland.
Supreme for mountain climbing, a broad 1.5 mile linear doubletrack extends the size of the greenway from walk-in entry factors off A1A and sixteenth Rd East.
John on the sixteenth Rd East entranceA 5.5 mile biking loop with tough technical options together with steep slopes by way of ponds quarried in coquina is circled by a deeply shaded degree stroll within the woods.
Using the paved East Coast Greenway and the Mala Compra Greenway Path, hikers could make a 2.4 mile loop between the entrances.
Rugged terrain on the bike loopRemark factors permit views down into the ponds, and interpretive panels improve the stroll, which encompasses the stays of a Fifties roadside attraction, Florida’s Animal Land.
Our 3.9 mile route begins on the south aspect of oceanfront Malacompra Park, the place a 0.7 mile connector path from their ample parking zone makes use of boardwalks to cross the marshes.
Perspective on Coquina Lake on the former attractionIt’s a safer method for households than accessing the greenway from Bings Touchdown Park, which cuts a mile (and direct seaside entry) off the hike.
Dwelling to a major archaeological website, Bings Touchdown additionally has restrooms, fishing piers, a ship ramp, and a barbecue shack.
Nonetheless, crossing A1A might be harmful since autos hardly ever cease per Florida legislation to permit pedestrians to cross.
Bings Touchdown crosswalkAssets
Overview
Location: HammockLength: 3.9 milesTrailhead: 29.615203, -81.190811Address: 115 Mala Compra Rd, Palm CoastFees: FreeRestroom: NoneLand supervisor: Flagler CountyPhone: 386-313-4020
Open daybreak to 11 PM. Leashed pets permitted. Use mosquito repellent. Cyclists share this loop, however there’s loads of room for all.
Hikers, take note of indicators marking mountain bike crossings, since cyclists have the best of approach.
Mountain bike crossingCyclists, pay cautious consideration to bike path signage and color-coded rankings to keep away from driving above your skill.
The 5.5 mile mountain bike loop consists of segments bypassing man-made technical options in addition to pure steep grades and a slender crossing flanked by deep ponds.
Boardwalk for cyclists over a deep pitInstructions
Hike
Ranging from the south finish of the parking space, flip proper on the signal for the loop path by way of the dunes.
The grassy path curves right into a carved passageway by way of the encompassing blanket of noticed palmetto and coastal shrubs.
Place to begin at Malacompra ParkChanging into sandy, it curves proper when going through condos on the south rim of this protect. Attain a path junction with the beachfront loop in a tenth of a mile.
Be part of an extended boardwalk throughout a swale between the dunes, crossing a canal reduce. The boardwalk hovers above a swath of needlegrass west of the canal.
East boardwalkPrevious a bench constructed into the boardwalk at this scenic spot, proceed onto a sandy footpath at 0.2 miles.
Coastal scrub surrounds this hall. Lyonia and noticed palmetto rise excessive sufficient in order to obscure residences past.
Coastal scrubSimply earlier than the following boardwalk begins, examine the forest ground on the left. It’s coated in delicate sundews with sticky jelly-red bristles.
A bumpout holds a bench earlier than the boardwalk bridges a broad needlerush marsh.
Sundews close to the oceanIn a cluster of palms, cross a second north-south canal. These cuts have been doubtless made many years in the past to empty land for the subdivision alongside the highway to the seaside.
Enter a extra typical coastal hammock earlier than the boardwalk ends previous one other bumpout at a half mile.
Bumpout for benchStroll a hall between noticed palmetto, with spots the place the taller oaks have been sheared off in previous hurricanes.
Winding by way of this woodland, go a possible location for a brand new path to the south, flagged as such throughout our go to in 2025.
Flagging for brand spanking new pathThis sandy path continues beneath a cover of windswept sand reside oaks and cabbage palms alongside huge clumps of noticed palmetto.
It ends at a curve within the Mala Compra Greenway Path at a fence at 0.7 miles. Flip proper. The trail makes a pointy left to parallel a ditch alongside Mala Compra Rd.
Junction with Mala Compra Greenway PathThis straightaway is the least compelling a part of the hike, offering occasional glimpses of residences by way of the bushes. Oaks and cedars create a tunnel impact.
In a tenth of a mile, go an entrance to the mountain bike path and emerge on the kiosk on the A1A crosswalk to Bings Touchdown.
StraightawayFlip left to observe the asphalt ribbon of the East Coast Greenway south. It parallels A1A whereas weaving beneath outdated development reside oaks alongside the sting of the hammock.
Slip previous a picnic shelter. The paved path pops out subsequent to A1A like a sidewalk for a stretch previous a recreation heart and fireplace station earlier than returning to a wooded hall.
East Coast GreenwayAt 1.8 miles, a aspect path results in an overlook above the coquina lakes used as a central characteristic for Florida’s Animal Land.
A kiosk explains the attraction’s historical past. A mountain bike path crosses a slender spit between pits and dances alongside its far rim.
On the overlook on our preliminary go to in 2021Returning to the East Coast Greenway, proceed one other tenth of a mile to the place it crosses sixteenth Avenue East and make a left.
The big map kiosk for this entry level adjoins signage declaring each the mountain bike path and the Mala Compra Greenway Path. Head in direction of the primary crimson signal.
South finish of the Mala Compra Greenway PathLargely leaf-strewn hard-packed sand, the pathway makes light turns. Move beneath a reside oak with sprawling limbs furred by a thick layer of resurrection fern.
After a bench, sort out a brief straightaway among the many oaks. Pause at a yield signal at a curve to test for approaching cyclists within the woods.
On the singletrack crossingCircle a stand of thin cabbage palms to a different quick stretch beneath tangled oak limbs. The sky opening up alerts a linear swamp in a swale at 2.1 miles.
Remaining beneath a showy archway of oaks, the path parallels it intently, enabling a couple of glimpses by way of the understory. A line of palms results in the .25 MI marker.
Swamp to the eastAfter a couple of minor wiggles, come to a trailside bench close to the north finish of the swampy swale. Go away the swamp behind after the .5 MI marker.
The forest closes in, round and above, cedars changing into extra outstanding. Persistent winds off the close by Atlantic ocean each form and trim the higher cover.
Within the thick of the hammock of HammockSpherical a curve to face an extended tunnel of archways of oaks vanishing into the gap. Savor the stroll by way of it. Loblolly pines rise above, some with surprisingly stout trunks.
In a delicate shift, sand reside oaks present the low cover. A bench occupies a blissfully shady spot at 2.5 miles.
Shady benchThe tunnel impact ends briefly amid taller oaks however picks up once more on a definite descent. Spherical a nook on the .75 MI marker.
Enter a good looking sand reside oak hall edged by noticed palmetto. A mixture of scrub oaks, lyonia, and sand pines filter in.
Tunnel impactBy 2.7 miles, a bench at a fence marks a sudden change within the path, an abrupt flip sending the trail paralleling the wood fence as if corraled. There’s an apparent dropoff past.
Following the fence by way of the plush hammock, go the 1 MI signal earlier than a pointy proper nearby of one of many singletrack trails.
Alongside the fenceAn unlimited loblolly pine towers at 2.9 miles, the fence nonetheless defining the best aspect of the footpath by way of tight jogs and curves.
The cover thins on the method to an increase the place a constructing is seen. End the loop by reaching the signposted path junction again to Mala Compra Park at 3.1 miles.
Singletrack paralleling the footpathFlip proper to retrace this acquainted route out of the hammock and into the scrub, crossing the 2 boardwalks in succession.
On the T junction after the second boardwalk, optionally flip proper to loop the coastal scrub alongside the Atlantic.
Or flip left for a extra direct return to the parking space to complete this 3.9 mile hike.
Scrub-covered dunes at Malacompra ParkPath Map
Discover Extra!
Movies
Mountain climbing the Mala Compra Greenway Extension
Mountain climbing the Mala Compra Greenway Path
Slideshow
See our images from the Mala Compra Greenway
Close by Adventures
Betty Steflik Memorial Protect Betty Steflik Memorial Protect protects greater than 200 acres of mangrove marsh, mud flats, and coastal uplands proper on the sting of downtown Flagler Seaside
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Notable for its historic landscaped gardens beneath a cover of historical reside oaks, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park can be the house of one in all Florida’s uncommon rocky shorelinesPath Map (PDF) Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Good friend & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
