Due to Florida’s low altitude, most people do not usually think this state has any mountains. Florida is naturally flat throughout. When people hear about a mountain and how enchanting the drive up there is, it tends to pique their curiosity.
Does Florida have mountains?
Florida is home to 238 mountains, with Britton Hill being the highest point and Sugarloaf Mountain being the most prominent. Nonetheless, even the tallest Florida mountain would barely be loftier than a molehill in some states.
Now you know there are mountains in Florida. But let us discuss further and talk about those you should visit.
13 Mountains in Florida You Should Visit
If you ever find yourself in Florida, you should check out these mountains:
1. Britton Hill
Britton Hill is located 345 feet above sea level, and it is the highest natural point in Florida. It also happens to be the lowest high point in the entire United States. You can get to the summit of Britton Hill without breaking a sweat.
Britton Hill might be the lowest high point in the entire United States, but it is well known internationally.
It is a popular venue for several experienced mountain climbers. It is also popular among highpoint hobbyists looking to join others who have stood on high points in other states.
Britton Hill is surrounded by Lakewood Park and is an ideal environment for family picnics and games. There are three nature trails along Britton Hill where you can wander and enjoy the fauna and local flora.
You can walk through the yellow trail in 45 minutes. If you are not in haste, you can spend an hour and a half taking the red route. Alternatively, you can split the difference by exploring the blue trail in one hour.
2. Sugarloaf Mountain
Although Sugarloaf Mountain is not the highest point in Florida, it happens to be the most prominent point in Florida.
It stands at about 245 feet above the landscape surrounding it. Sugarloaf Mountain offers a magnificent view of the edge of Orlando and Lake Apopka.
Sugarloaf Mountain is also the most obscure point in Florida because there are no comparable elevations for over 200 miles. It is 15 minutes north of Clermont and is off the beaten path in Lake County.
When you turn west on the mountain road, you will drive by the farms and rolling hills as you reach the 312-foot summit. It is a well-known destination for cyclists looking for an extensive workout and those looking for a calm weekend drive.
Sugarloaf Mountain is on the northern edge of Lake Wales Ridge. It has an atypical range with an ancient dune extending 150 miles from Lake County to Lake Okeechobee.
3. Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain is one of the prominent points of Lake Wales Ridge. It is also one of the highest points in Florida.
Iron Mountain is located 295 feet (90 m) above sea level. This mountain contains a hematite-containing rock called Citronelle.
When Citronelle is exposed to air, it oxidizes and is responsible for the reddish-brown color of the earth. The ridge of Iron Mountain is north of Lake Wales city. The summit of this mountain is home to a popular tourist attraction called Bok Tower.
4. Hobe Mountain
Hobe Mountain once upon a time was submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. But as the sea fell and rose continuously, the mountain was formed by a combination of crashing ocean waves and strong winds.
As part of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, Hobe Mountain has a series of hills and dunes. These hills and dunes parallel the Southern Coastline of Florida.
The hills located on the eastern part are the only hills around that area. Many of the animals and plants found on these hills are peculiar to the desert conditions of the dunes.
Several species of plants and animals are native to the Sand Pine Scrub habitat. This habitat, which houses several animals and plants you will not find in many other places, is beginning to disappear. Most of these animals and plants have been tagged as endangered.
Examples of some species native to the Sand Pine Scrub habitat include Florida Scrub lizard and Florida Scrub-Jay.
If you decide to visit the park, you can climb Hobe Mountain using the boardwalk. You will go through the shrub before reaching Hobe Mountain tower, which is an extra 27 feet from the mountain.
There is also the observation tower from which visitors view the park, Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.
5. Orange Hill
Orange Hill, which used to be called Hickory Hill, is the most notable elevation between Choctawhatchee Rivers and Apalachicola in West Florida. In Eastern Washington County, it is one of the many points that creates a small range of hills.
The name changed to Orange Hill in the early 1840s. The reason for the name change was because it had a reputation for not freezing over. Some of the early residents claimed growing oranges on this hill was possible without fear of it freezing.
This area is also well known for being in a continuous state of good health. For one, when it is fanned by the summer breeze, it becomes free of insect pests like mosquitoes.
Orange Hill was once the location for several Indian villages located along a trail starting from the Choctawhatchee River region.
6. Sand Mountain
Sand Mountain is located 250 feet (76 meters) above sea level. It is the 15th highest point in Florida. It is located in Washington County, Florida, at a spot close to a Florida town called Wausau.
From the southwest Oak Hill, the second tallest point in Florida, Sand Mountain is 16 km away.
7. High Hill
High Hill stands at 323 feet above sea level. It is the mountain with the third-highest elevation in Florida, with Oak Hill coming in second at 331 feet.
High Hill is situated 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Wausau and 6 kilometers (4 miles) east of Vernon. High Hill, alongside Oak Hill and Sand Mountain, is situated in Washington County. The best way to get there is by driving through Washington County Road 278.
8. Chinsegut Hill
Chinsegut Hill has an elevation of around 269 feet. It is in Hernando County, which is North of Brooksville city. Chinsegut Hill is the 17th highest elevation in Florida and the highest in Hernando County.
Chinsegut Hill is the 3rd most prominent mountain in Florida and number one in Hernando County.
9. Danley Hill
Danley Hill has an elevation of around 305 feet above sea level. Danley Hill is on the Piedmont South East Coast. Danley Hill is the 5th highest elevation in Florida and second in Walton County.
By prominence, Danley Hill is 28th in Florida and second in Walton County.
10. Sandy Mountain
Sandy Mountain has an elevation of around 295 feet above sea level. It is also on the Piedmont South East Coast like many others. Sandy Mountain is 9th most elevated in Florida, 3rd in Walton County, and 1st in Eglin Air Force Base.
By prominence, Sandy Mountain is 35th in Florida, fourth in Walton County, and number one in Eglin Air Force Base.
11. Falling Water Hill
Falling Water Hill has an elevation of around 318 feet above sea level. It is on the Piedmont South East Coast. Falling Water Hill is 3rd highest mountain in Florida and second in Washington County. It is also the 7th most prominent in Florida and second most prominent in Washington County.
12. Pleasant Ridge
Pleasant Ridge has an elevation of around 299 feet above sea level. It is on the Piedmont South East Coast, 6th on the elevation scale in Florida, and number one in Holmes County.
Pleasant Ridge is 10th most prominent in Florida and number one in Holmes County.
13. Nursery Hill
Nursery Hill has an elevation of around 246 feet above sea level. It is also on the Piedmont South East Coast.
Nursery Hill is the 26th most elevated in Florida and number one in Pasco County. It is also the 8th most prominent in Florida and number one in Pasco County.
Resources
- https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/things-to-do/arts-history/britton-hill-highest-point-florida.html
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/highest-mountain-fl/
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/miamiboy/31554716754
- https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/hobe-mountain
- https://washingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.webs.com/orangehill.htm