The Fern Trail

Map

Note: We are sorry to report that the beginning part of this trail has fallen victim to the dreaded bulldozer frenzy. We needed another stip mall in Tallahassee and this was the place to put it. Most of the trail is still in good shape, but you will have to search a bit to find a place to start. A new description will be posted soon.

The trail used to start at a shopping center around  the corner nearest Governor's Square Blvd. (That is the right hand side if you are facing the front of the shopping center.) You will see an opening, marked by an arrow, in a wooden fence just after the pavement ends.  The trail begins at this opening and enters the woods on the other side of the fence.  The trail is narrow and the footing a little tricky, but the path is well worn by runners and bicycles. You will notice most of the first 3/4 of a mile is slightly downhill. Remember this because this trail is out and back and you will finish up this same hill. After a couple of hundred feet you will be lost in a forest and paved roads and cars will be out of site, except for a few crossings.  The first road crossing comes a little after you have run for 3/4 of a mile. The trail intersects Park Ave. Just before you reach Park Ave. the trail veers to the left.  Directly across the road you will pick up the trail again.  The trail will wind and twist. Eventually, you will approach a set of railroad tracks.  The trail will make a right hand turn.  Stay on the main trail and just before you have gone 2 miles you will come to beautiful Fern Creek. The water flowing into this magnificent stream is protected by huge aluminum drainage pipes to assure only the finest runoff, but it really does add a nice feel to the run. Follow the trail east along the creek.

The trail will cross a few drive ways for apartment complexes.  Follow it for another 8-11 minutes (at an 8:00 minute pace) and just before you have gone 3 miles total you will exit the woods and find a set of rail road tracks. Stay off the tracks, but run or walk along side them for a short distance until you cross over a bridge. Just on the other side you will see where the trail reenters the woods. Take it before the train arrives. Remember trains are dangerous, so stay away from them.

Now follow the trail until it exits the woods again. This time you will be at the overpass where Capital Circle flies over the rail road tracks. This is the end of the Fern Trail. You should be somewhere around 3.5 miles at this point. Maybe 3 or maybe 4. Once I have run this a few more times I will have a better idea. It took me 27:58 to get there for this story and I am guessing I ran an 8:00 pace.  On the other side of the Capital Circle overpass you will find the beginning of Tom Brown Park and another set of trails.  If you follow the short paved road, it will intersect with Weems Road.  Cross Weems and you will see the beginning of a series of Tom Brown trails.  The Fern trail is used extensively by bikes, so listen up and step off the trail when you see or hear them coming.  Otherwise enjoy a very good “outdoor” experience in the heart of Tallahassee.