Moderate Paced Hike at the UNF Wildlife Sanctuary

We will hike at a moderate pace (20–25-minute miles) for about 3 miles along the following trails at the University of North Florida Wildlife Sanctuary. At the conclusion of the third mile, there will be an option to continue for a fourth mile.

Goldenrod Trail: This trail traverses the gambit of UNF habitats; from Swamp to Sand-hill, Flatwoods to Seepage Slope. Upon completing the Goldenrod trail, we will cross a walking bridge to the uninhabited island and will pause midway on the bridge for photo opportunities of the Candy Cane Lake.

Gopher Tortoise Ridge: Home to a large Gopher Tortoise population, these tortoises live over 60 years and provide underground homes to countless reptiles and small mammals. Please do not confuse tortoises with other turtles, as tortoises are land-dwelling and not amphibious.

Big Cyprus Trail: Connecting the Goldenrod and Blueberry trail, this loop passes by one of the largest Cypress Trees that lives on campus and is estimated to be over 500 years old.

Red Maple Boardwalk: Originally built in the late 1970’s, restored in 2017, this walk is wheelchair accessible,1600 feet long, and traverses Buck Head Branch Swamp. It has recently been updated with guardrails and wheelchair accessible picnic tables to make it even more wheelchair friendly.

No pets are permitted on these trails. We will meet at 10:00 am in the parking lot of the UNF Parking Services Building/Outdoor Center near the west entrance to UNF about a half mile east of the I-295 East Beltway. Please note your GPS may take you past the UNF Parking Services building, so I have posted a picture of the building where we will meet. This is the entrance that continues east from Town Center Road. You’ll see a building on your right (Parking Lot 100) where parking permits are normally purchased, however please note that PARKING IS FREE on the weekends. Please also note restrooms at the trailhead are often locked, so I would strongly encourage you to use a restroom before arrival.

I would suggest hiking shoes, trail runners or running shoes with tread, water, sunscreen and bug repellent.