One in every of a pair of loop hikes throughout the Lake Overstreet Addition of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, the Ravine Path partly traces the lip of a deep steephead ravine.
Comparatively flat and agency, it makes a pleasant stand-alone hike of two.2 miles from the Forest Meadows Trailhead alongside Merdian Rd.
Clay underlays elements of the pathwayA connector path yokes it to the longer Lake Overstreet Path its east, which has its personal separate trailhead previous the gardens parking space inside the primary gate of Maclay Gardens.
Hike each from both entrance for a 6.2 mile stroll, or just get pleasure from this simple loop by itself as locals do, marveling at trailside trillium blossoms in February.
Trillium on the slope above the ravineAssets
Overview
Location: TallahasseeLength: 2.1 milesTrailhead: 30.53541, -84.28101Address: 4750 N Meridian Rd, TallahasseeFees: FeeRestroom: Transportable toiletLand Supervisor: Florida State ParksPhone: 850-487-4556
Open 8 AM to sundown. Leashed canines welcome; decide up after your pet. Path shared with cyclists and equestrians.
Instructions
Hike
Stroll out of the Forest Meadows trailhead in direction of Meridian Rd, utilizing the crosswalk to enter the Lake Overstreet Addition of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park.
The Ravine Path begins previous an entrance signal and iron ranger for park admission payment.
Entry levelMake a left to comply with the broad path in direction of the pines, beginning a clockwise circuit by a forest of pines and oaks.
Curve round to a marked crossing of the North Loop, one of many singletrack bike trails throughout the park.
North Loop junctionSouthern magnolias lend inexperienced to a wintery panorama. In February, violets peep from a swarm of their heart-shaped leaves.
Crossing the North Loop a second time, the trail turns into extra hard-packed because it makes a delicate curve, revealing the drop of the panorama to the left.
Exhausting-packed pathThis dropoff turns into extra pronounced after a number of gentle curves, the ravine revealed inside this bluff forest.
Poison ivy and wildflowers maintain the forest ground inexperienced. Trillium rise from the leaf litter, their velvety-crimson blossoms and varigated leaves distinctive.
TrilliumDrawing nearer to the ravine, the footpath reveals how huge it’s, the forested slopes dropping out of sight into the steephead.
Hidden far beneath, waters rise and circulate out of the ravine at marshy Gum Pond, crossed by the Lake Path. They find yourself in Lake Overstreet.
Wanting into the ravinePassing a bench, spherical one other curve with a wonderful view into the ravine earlier than leaving its companionship for a dense grove of magnolias.
At a mile meet the junction with a 0.2 mile linear connector with the Lake Path.
Connector junction at far finish of Ravine PathThat is your choice level for including on the Lake Path from this method, leading to a 6.2 mile hike.
To stay on the Ravine Path, flip proper. Stroll previous an enormous reside oak, reaching the East Loop singletrack crossing quickly after.
Distinctive trailside oakThe understory turns into extra dense, American holly and sparkleberry becoming a member of the combo of laurel oaks and pines.
A bench sits beside a straightaway ascent earlier than a pointy curve proper. Examine the forest ground for late winter wildflowers among the many leaves.
Trailside benchGo a overwhelmed path to the left. Reaching the trailhead kiosk on the split-rail fences, flip left to exit.
Use the crosswalk to return to the Forest Meadows trailhead, finishing a 2.2 mile hike.
Sealing the loopPath Map
Discover Extra!
Be taught extra about Alfred B. Maclay Gardens
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Discover a real Tallahassee treasure on light backyard paths amid plantings relationship again to 1923 or alongside well-trodden trails into wild woodlands alongside Lake Corridor and Lake Overstreet. 
Maclay Gardens Lake Path Behind the famed historic gardens at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, the Lake Path loops Lake Overstreet on a well-trodden hilly loop with overlook stops.Video
Mountain climbing the Ravine Path
Slideshow
See our photographs from the Ravine Path
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
Writer of 45 books, Sandra Pal established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to broaden on the sphere analysis she’d accomplished for her first six mountaineering guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Outside Writers Affiliation.
