Tallahassee, FL: River Bluff Trail Loop
Starting from the Gregory House, a Civil War era plantation in Torreya State Park (home to the infamous "stinking cedar"), pick up the River Bluff Loop overlooking the Apalachicola River and head southeast atop a bluff. The trail offers intermittent views through the canopy to the river below and a hardwood forest on the far shore. After 1.6 miles, a short side trip leads to the trickling Weeping Ridge Waterfall. After backtracking to the main loop, the trail descends down to the banks of the river, where a handful of sandy campsites offer relative isolation not far from the trail. Heading inland and uphill, the trail tours some of Torreya’s unique ravine rock formations before synching back up with the road for a 1.25-mile walk back to the trailhead.
-Mapped by Christopher Harper
Trail Facts
- Distance: 9.8
Waypoints
RBL001
Location: 30.5754662, -84.9487534
Park in front of the Gregory House, a Civil War era plantation mansion (tours are given daily). Walk behind the house to reach the trailhead.
RBL002
Location: 30.5770302, -84.9489899
Just behind the Gregory House, the River Bluff Trail starts with a fantastic overlook of the Apalachicola River and the hardwood forests of the Northern Panhandle. Proceed a short distance to the east-northeast to the trailhead sign and a connector trail (this trail can be accessed at several points).
RBL003
Location: 30.5782928, -84.9472809
Continue straight @ 3-way junction, continuing northeast on the trail. Ahead you will pass several Confederate gun emplacements used during the Civil War.
RBL004
Location: 30.5790081, -84.9462891
Bear left @ 3-way junction. Here, the trail runs along the bluff a few hundred feet above the river. At a few spots along the way, you can peek through the trees for phenomenal views of the river.
RBL005
Location: 30.5760841, -84.9513779
Continue south-southwest along the trail @ Y-junction.
RBL006
Location: 30.5665932, -84.9542465
Turn left @ junction onto a side trail, which detours 1.2 miles (round-trip) to the Weeping Ridge Waterfall.
RBL007
Location: 30.5681918, -84.9505377
Turn right @ T-junction onto the Weeping Ridge Trail, and continue south on the trail.
RBL008
Location: 30.5647368, -84.9515462
Weeping Ridge Waterfall: A small creek flows over the rocks, dropping 25 feet into a small pool. The flow of the falls can be heavily impacted by extended drought. Soak it in, and then backtrack to Waypoint 6 and bear left to continue west on the trail.
RBL009
Location: 30.5649738, -84.9596252
Turn left at the trail sign and proceed a short distance south to pick up the trail. To the northwest, there are several good spots to set up camp along the sandy banks of the Apalachicola.
RBL010
Location: 30.5642986, -84.9597549
Turn left @ T-intersection and continue past a primitive campsite (with a portable outhouse), heading east along the trail.
RBL011
Location: 30.5603733, -84.9551086
Turn left @ Y-junction and continue southeast on trail.
RBL012
Location: 30.5603733, -84.9551086
After crossing an old dirt road, continue southeast along the trail. Here the forest changes slightly to a pine-hardwood mix.
RBL013
Location: 30.5554613, -84.9502373
Before continuing north along the trail, take some time to explore the signature ravine rock formations and a nearby rock outcropping that juts out 40-50 feet over the ravine.
RBL014
Location: 30.5588284, -84.9497223
The trail ends at the park road. Proceed north along the road for a 1.25-mile hike back to the Gregory House. For an extended return trip on trail, continue across the road to pick up the River Bluff Loop as it heads north. This extension would add approximately 4 miles to the trip.
Tree Tops
Location: 30.5783528, -84.9484348
Pine and hardwood forest of north Florida on the Appalachicola River. ©Christopher Harper
Gregory House
Location: 30.5754709, -84.9485421
A plantation era home located in the park. ©Christopher Harper
Appalachicola River
Location: 30.5787593, -84.9471259
©Christopher Harper
Sandy Camp
Location: 30.5654758, -84.9602795
A campsite near the midpoint of the trail. ©Christopher Harper
Fellow Backpackers
Location: 30.5650139, -84.9603009
Fellow hikers camping along the river. ©Christopher Harper
Rocks Everywhere
Location: 30.5554428, -84.95013
One of many rock formations found in the park's many ravines. ©Christopher Harper
