Tread Lightly! Four Wheel Drive Way

Total Miles
77.0

Elevation

54.47 ft

Duration

10 Hours

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer

Trail Overview

Tread Lightly! Four Wheel Drive Way is an approximately 81-mile route that travels through the Ocala National Forest. The trail is Florida's only Jeep Badge of Honor trail. In most parts, it's a stock-friendly trail but does have some areas of soft sand, and mud. The trail begins at the north end of the Ocala National Forest and eventually winds its way south, before doubling back and finishing near the central part of the forest. Drivers can expect to see the full spectrum of central Florida wildlife, with rattlesnake and black bear sightings being fairly common. The main trail portions are sufficiently wide enough to allow passing, but the side trails can be extremely narrow, and significant pinstriping can be expected.

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Difficulty

Most of the trail system is stock-friendly, but there are some areas of mud and water, and extremely soft sand. Drivers should bring basic recovery gear, and know how to use it.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

1st half of the trail running south bound only: We abandoned the run nearly half way through due to trail width issues. Brush has definitely grown onto the trail a fair amount. My 4Runner fit through everything but my paint surely took a severe beating in some areas. All mud holes on the main trail are dry - side trails had a fair amount of water and mud but nothing too extensive from what we gathered. Lots of hunters out so be cautious and considerate - mid day is your best bet if you want to avoid hunters. Some good wash boarding but nothing too severe. A few down trees but most have been cut or a bypass has been created, no obstructions stopped us.

The off shoot sections of the tread lightly 4x4 way jeep bags of honor sections are grossly over grown with shrubs and branches. Makes it not enjoyable. The main roads are dusty and free of any obstructions.

We did the pipeline section from where it connects to the Volusia Trail all the way to 40. The trail has some wear from the storm with several large trees covering half of the trail at certain points. The sand here can be very deep in some spots but the sides are typically harder packed.

Travel today was north and south on FS-9 between FS-46 and Hwy 40. Trail was unobstructed, mostly packed dirt with areas of sugar sand, and wet/muddy rutted areas. Drove mostly in 2H with some 4H. went through most of the muddy ruts in 2H no trouble at all. Near FS-38 headed south saw a large group of deer (4-5) just slowly moving and eating.

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