See the Hiking Trails web page for an interactive location map.
Length: 1-mile loop
Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
The Scrub Ridge Trail at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge forms a long and very narrow loop, so narrow that when you return you are no more than fifty yards or so from where you were when you started out on the hike. The two trailheads are on either side of a covered information kiosk. I started out on the trailhead to the right of the kiosk (the easiest to spot), which set me off hiking in a counterclockwise direction.
Though the out and back portions of the loop are not far from each other, the terrain is completely different. The western half of the trail passes through what is known as scrub (not shrub), while the eastern half runs along a marsh where you are likely to see a variety of birds. In fact, if all you want to do is see the birds, start out on the trailhead to the left of the information kiosk, as this trail immediately takes you to the water.
Hiking the way I did, the Scrub Ridge Trail starts out on a wide, sandy path through the scrubland. Aside from a few small pines and some cabbage palms, the vegetation is saw palmetto bushes and, as the name states, scrubs. This ecosystem is home to many animals, including the highest number of endangered species in Florida. However, most of the animals are small and hard to spot, so you may not see any wildlife on the way out. The larger animals that do live here include gopher tortoises, white tail deer, skunks, bobcats, armadillos, and wild hogs. Keep an eye on the trail for paw prints. Small animals include the Indigo snake, sand lizards, scrub jays, and the Florida mouse. These animals live only in the scrub.
Once you reach the end of the loop and begin the return back to the parking lot, you will find yourself on an old road that runs along a marsh, though brush blocks much of the view. There are a few trails that people have cut that lead to the water, but I don’t really recommend them because they tend to be very muddy, and while the scrubs are not briers, they do have firm branches that can scrape up your legs. Unless you have on boots and long pants, stay away.
Parts of the old road can be muddy even in the dry season, though in most cases there is room to step around the mud. Despite the dampness and standing water along the trail, I encountered only two mosquitoes during my hike in early March.
The best path to the marsh is located near the start of the trail and is within eyesight of the parking lot. During my first visit in 2015, there were hundreds of birds wading in the water, but unfortunately I only had a 70mm lens, so I could not get any decent photos. The birds are quite skittish, so the ones close to the trail will immediately fly off when they hear somebody coming. Bring at least a 400mm lens if you are into bird photography. During my visit in 2021, there wasn’t a bird in sight.
Like most trails in Florida, the Scrub Ridge Trail is flat and easy to hike. It is, however, completely exposed to the sun, so come prepared for that. If you want to photograph birds, hike the trail later in the day, for you will be facing east when viewing the water, and the sun will be in your face in the morning. Give yourself about 45 minutes to complete the hike. Of course die-hard bird watchers could make an entire afternoon of it.
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Last updated on April 21, 2022