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Great trail for wildlife viewing.


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Map Key

1.2

Miles

2.0

KM

Out and Back

81' 25 m

High

60' 18 m

Low

22' 7 m

Up

22' 7 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

2%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Wildlife

Part of the trail is still closed from significant flooding caused by Hurricane Irma. One Way Only: This is designated as a directional trail.

Overview

Wildlife viewing on this trail is great. Visitors can see alligators, a variety of birds, including great blue herons, the endangered snail kite, and bald eagles. Bison and wild horses may also be spotted.

Need to Know

La Chua Trail is part of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Fees are $4 per vehicle or $2 for cyclists and hikers walking in. Dogs are not permitted on the prairie. Families with young children should be cautious of alligators.

Description

This is not a very challenging trail. Once you leave the parking lot, you hike along a paved walkway. You'll pass beneath an old railroad and through an old barn until you reach the boardwalk. The boardwalk runs alongside the Alachua Sink. Once you leave the boardwalk, the trail is flat. Visitors should be aware that wildlife roams freely along the trails with alligators often perched on the trail itself.

Flora & Fauna

Alligators, bison, wild horses, bobcat, great blue herons, snail kites, bald eagles, woodstork, American coot, ibis, limpkin, and more.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kim Goode

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#1289

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Florida

#1,289

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Photos

Sunbathing alligator on La Chua Trail.
May 11, 2021 near Gainesv…, FL

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 5 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 2, 2024
Aryaman S
Mar 29, 2024
Katja Goncharov
Amazing wildlife sightings! — 1h 00m
Mar 17, 2024
Greg Schaefer
Sep 27, 2021
Doug Tam
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