Take a stroll through Wild Florida on Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk at Fakahatchee Strand
// July 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Adventure Vacations, Adventures, Everglades, Florida, Hiking, Nature Photography
After a spending a day hiking and photographing in South Florida, I had just enough daylight left to fit in this small trail. I came across Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk earlier that day while researching Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and felt walking a boardwalk into the Strand would be the perfect ending to a great day.
Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, also referred to as the “Window to Fakahatchee Strand”, is a 1/2 mile boardwalk into a virgin Bald Cypress swamp where you can experience the wild swamps of Florida from a safe dry boardwalk. I was in awe as I strolled past Giant Bald Cypress trees encased by the boardwalk that were easily over 100 years old. “If only they could talk, what tales would they have to tell about this mystical swamp?” I thought to myself. I spotted rare air-plants in a hanging garden on several Cypress limbs 20 ft above the boardwalk as well as some at eye level. I could spend hours in here trying to see everything. Giant Leather Leaf ferns thriving amongst the Cypress Trees and a Bald Eagles nest can be seen up high in the branches of a dead Cypress tree. An erie Strangler Fig can be a sobering sight seen growing over the boardwalk as you stroll underneath. Over decades of time this erie plant has slowly squeezed and suffocated its host plant, a bald cypress, only to grow roots and, for no other reason, to take its place in the wilderness. My mood lightens as I spot the fallen tree log covered with ferns and epiphytes. We would not have this beautiful log hosted garden had it not been for the Strangler Fig….the “circle of life” continues on….
The boardwalk is located off US 41 west of SR 29 and is wheelchair accessible with two resting places along the way trek. The Boardwalk ends with a viewing/resting area overlooking a Swamp pond. Take a moment to take in the scene as the tanic waters reflect the pretty bald cypress, swamp ferns, and Giant Alligator Flag outlining the pond. Be still and watch for wading birds and alligators to appear.
Beauty is not without its price, be sure take plenty of mosquito repellent!
This boardwalk is built and maintained by Friends of Fakahatchee Stand, a non-profit, and donations are appreciated.
For more information about the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk of Fakahatchee Strand contact Friends of Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.
To view more photos visit Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk on Flickr















