Page 13 - Rails tp Trails_Winter 2014
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905
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MILES
Blackwater
Sound
Barnes
Sound
Buttonwood
Sound
Cotton Key
Basin
Lignumvitae
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John Pennekamp
Coral Reef
State Park
State Park
Robbie’s
The Turtle
Curry
Hammock
State Park
Bahia Honda
State Park
Sevenmile
Bridge
To Miami
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matecumbe
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long key
duck
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big pine
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honda
duck
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key largo
Map for reference only. Not for navigation.
Parking
Trail endpoint
Highway
Trail Length
Total corridor: 106.5 miles
(76
miles completed, 30 miles
under construction)
Note:Trail locations are
approximate.
Trail surface: Asphalt
map illustration by daniellemarks.com
rails
to
trails
u
winter.14
11
the north end of the Keys (mile 106.5), to KeyWest (mile 0).
Many businesses and attractions simply identify themselves
by their mile marker (MM) designation.
Among a host of interesting sites and destinations, our
favorites along the FKOHT route include:
•
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM102.5)—Billed
as America’s first undersea park, Pennekamp is a magnifi-
cent place to experience marine landscape and wildlife
both above and below the water, with a variety of snorkel
tours available.
•
Robbie’s Marina (MM77.5)—For an inexpensive, family-
friendly delight, you can stop by the marina and purchase
a bucket of fish to feed the four-foot, jumping tarpon.
•
The Turtle Hospital (MM48.5)—The only state-certified
veterinary hospital in the world dedicated to the care of
sea turtles provides a close-up look at the Keys’ endan-
gered turtles and the efforts being made to save them.
•
KeyWest (MM0)—Surrounded by a beautiful walkway
and offering trolley tours of historic areas, the Keys’
southern terminus is best known as the southernmost
point in the United States, made famous by a much-
photographed marker. Other highlights are Fort Zachary
Taylor State Park, the Ernest Hemingway Home &
Museum, lively Duval Street, the Historic Seaport area
and Mallory Square, where crowds gather nightly to
watch the sunset.
WHERE TO STAY:
Lodging is plentiful throughout the Keys.
It can also be pricey—especially in
season. If Key Largo is your starting
point and you’ll take homey over
fancy, consider Ed & Ellen’s Lodgings
(888.333.5536),
located at MM103.4.
In KeyWest, check out the Seashell
Motel & KeyWest Hostel
Camping is available at
state parks and private campgrounds throughout the Keys
.
WHERE TO EAT:
Options are bountiful, with casual outdoor
dining the rule. If you leave from Key Largo, be sure to
stop for breakfast at Harriette’s (“home of small talk and
big tasty portions,”MM95.7). Try theWhale Harbor Inn
(
MM83.4) in Islamorada for all-you-can-eat seafood. In Key
West, as one local told me,“There are 300 restaurants, and
200
of them are really good.” El Meson de Pepe on Mallory
Square is an excellent choice—in a beautiful courtyard set-
ting—for authentic Cuban fare.
RENTALS AND SUPPLIES:
Bikes, kayaks and other supplies are
available for rental and purchase at shops including the
Backcountry Cowboy in Islamorada (MM82.2) and Overseas
Outfitters in Marathon (1700 Overseas Highway). The Big
Pine Bicycle Center in Big Pine Key (MM30.9) is another
resource for cyclists. You can rent snorkeling and fishing gear,
waverunners, kayaks and other boats at A1AWatersports
&
Boat Rentals (MM80.2 at La Siesta Resort and MM82.7 at
Days Inn) and many other locations throughout the Keys.
MORE INFO:
The FKOHT is a work in progress. Before you go,
get the latest information about the trail route and points
of interest by visiting the Florida State Parks website
(
and selecting the Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail link.
Several KeyWest communities have visitor informa-
tion centers. A good starting point is the Florida Keys
Visitor Center in Key Largo (MM106.2), where helpful
advice, maps and brochures—including the latest
FKOHT map—are available.
Find out more about the annual BubbaFest ride
on the FKOHT at
bubba-fest
.
