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Information courtesy of The Florida Historic Trails Association

The Florida Historic Trails Association (FHTA) was founded in 1970 for the purpose of developing and sponsoring historic hiking trails for Scouting and other civic youth groups. The founder, Dr. Milledge Murphey, a professor at the University of Florida, had for many years been a scoutmaster and had taken his troop on numerous BSA approved historic trail hikes throughout the Southeastern United States. As the interest in and benefits from such hiking experiences were great, he founded the FHTA and developed Florida’s first historic trail, the now famous Ft. Clinch Historic Trail in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Subsequently, seven other BSA approved hikes were developed as was a 100 Mile Honor Hiker recognition program.

The Florida Historic Hiking Trails Association (FHTA) sponsors six historic hiking trails in the state of Florida for scouts and others to hike. These trails offer various activities such as ocean and lake swimming, camping, historic forts and museums, and other historic sites in addition to the trail itself. There are also numerous awards such as patches, pins, and medals that can be earned upon successful completion of the requirements for each trail.

Fort Clinch Historic Trail: Length of trail: 16 miles; Time to complete trail: varies
Description: Trail includes visiting historic Fernandina, Fort Clinch Sate Park, and other historic landmarks.
Activities: In the area, fishing is allowed in designated places and swimming is allowed with proper adult supervision.

Fort Clinch Environmental Trail: Length of trail: 6 miles; Time to complete trail: 2 - 3 hours
Description: The park contains as many as 124 different birds and 79 different plants which may be identified during the hike.
Activities: The trail provides opportunities for nature studies and conservation projects.

Fort Matanzas Historic Trail: Length of trail: 2 miles; Time to complete trail: 1 - 2 hours
Description: Trail consists of a boat trip to the Fort at the national monument and a nature hike. Activities: Camping is not offered at the Fort Matanzas area but is offered near St. Augustine.

Fort Caroline Historic Trail: Length of trail: 5.37 miles; Time to complete trail: 2.5 hours
Description: Trail contains a tour of the Fort and is supplemented with a nature trail.
Activities: In addition to the hiking trail, the park also has biking trails. Fishing is allowed in designated areas.

St. Augustine Historic Trail: Length of trail: 8 miles; Time to complete trail: varies
Description: Trail includes various sites throughout the historic city of St. Augustine.
Activities: Additional site seeing can be taken on.

Osceola - Olustee Historic Trail; Length of trail: 22.4 and/or 10.8 miles
Time to complete trail: 1 long day or 2 days with a backpack.
Description: Trail includes a visit to the Osceola Olustee Battlefield monument along with many aspects of nature along this relatively tough and wet trek.
Activities: Swimming is available at ponds and rivers.

Pensacola Historical Trail: Length of trail: 4 miles; Time to complete trail: varies
Description: The trail goes through downtown Pensacola and provides a background history of the city of Pensacola by way of many historic sites and places.
Activities: There are several museums along this historical city trail that you can stop by while hiking. A patch and medal can be earned by hiking the trail.

Pensacola Naval Air Station Historical Trail: Length of trail: 10 miles; Time to complete trail: varies
Description: The trail supplies hikers with a portrait of Pensacola’s Naval history.
Activities: The Naval Air Museum, at the end of the trail, is a perfect supplement to the historical trail. A patch and medal can be earned by hiking the trail.

Andrew Jackson Historical Trail: Length of trail: 22 miles Time to complete trail: 2 days
Description: The trail follows part of the path taken by General Andrew Jackson from Tennessee to Pensacola.
Activities: Provides a steady hike for those who enjoy backpacking. Along the trail, there are trail shelters available for camping.

Fort Pickens Historical Trail: Length of trail: 10 miles; Time to complete trail: 1 day
Description: The trail tours around historical forts and batteries along this Gulf Coast island. Activities: The area contains exceptional campsites and also has designated areas for swimming and fishing. Along the trail there is also a nature trail and a tour of Fort Pickens itself. A patch and medal are also offered for those who complete the historical trail.

Additional Information
The trails include such highlights as ocean or lake swimming, camping, historic forts and museums, and many other historic sites.

Any registered scout group as well as other civic youth groups may hike the trails under the supervision of qualified adult leaders. Trail awards include a medal and patch for successful completion of some trails. These may be purchased from the trail committee upon proper application. A second (or more) time hiker pin is available for each additional time the trail(s) are hiked successfully. The 100 Mile Honor Hiker Award recognizes those persons who have completed 100 or more miles of approved hike, bicycle or canoe trips with their unit or group. A medal, patch and pin are available for those persons who apply. The BSA historic trails award is available to those Boy Scout units who apply to their council offices upon successful completion of one or more of the trails.

Conservation Requirement

All groups using the trail must designate one person to carry a pack or other suitable container for the purpose of removing all waste paper, cans, glass, etc. from the trail during the hike.

Hiking Awards and Requirements

Scout groups must hike in correct Scout uniform. Further, the hiking group must correctly complete a questionnaire, which is provided for the group as part of the registration to hike process. The questions are answered by the group during the hike and the answers recorded on the questionnaire by a designated hiker. An adult unit leader must approve the questionnaire by signature and submit it to the trail committee at the time awards are ordered. An award order form is mailed to the registering person by the trail committee.

Awards available:

Please note: medals and patches are NOT available for all trails.
Contact Milledge MurpheyPh.D. for specifics.

1. A fully embroidered patch.

2. An enameled medal designed as a replica of the patch symbolizing Florida, Scouting and ecology suspended from a ribbon and top bar pin.

3. An enameled pin for repeat hikers (for hikers who have completed the trail(s) two or more times). This pin is worn on the medal ribbon.

NOTE: Camping may be arranged for in advance by contacting: Anastasia State Park for St. Augustine and Ft. Matanzas; Ft. Clinch State Park for Ft. Clinch and Ft. Clinch Environmental; Osceola National Forest for Osceola-Olustee Historic Trails.

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For further information or to apply to hike the trails please contact the FHTA
to obtain the necessary application form and return to:

Florida Historic Trails Association
Milledge MurpheyPh.D., Chairman
1815 NW 7th Place
Gainesville, FL 32603
(904) 373-9234