Turkey-Malabar-Cameron Tour

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This ride connects the bike trails of Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Malabar Scrub Sanctuary (east and west), and Cameron Preserve. Put together, these trails make for a great ride.

Many of these trails are directional. Be sure to follow the signs.

Begin by parking at the trailhead located on Briar Creek Boulevard. Access the Turkey Creek Sanctuary trail system by riding in on the service road for 30 yards. The singletrack begins to your right on the Red Loop (North) trail. It's important to note that many of the trails (though not all) on this ride are directional. This trail must be ridden counterclockwise in direction.

Before long, the trail forks. To the right is the Red Loop Connector that will take you out to Port Malabar Boulevard. To continue your ride, veer left instead. The tight trail winds through the jungle and down close to the creek, passing a kayak launching pad on the way. There aren't any rocks to worry about here, instead it's roots and sand that these trails dish up, and a heaping helping, too! Attack those roots head on and you'll be good to go. You'll pass a couple of other trail intersections on your way through this loop, both heading to your left. Each of them would take you back to the east side of the loop. Continue heading south and eventually you'll come out to Briar Creek Road. You'll see where the trail continues on the other side of the road.

You've now entered into Malabar Scrub Sanctuary (West). You're immediately presented with a few route options. The trails here are very well marked, and in some cases perhaps, they are over-marked. Here is one of those. There are so many signs pointing this way for Yellow West , that way for Yellow East, and another way for red, etc. This ride follows the Red South trail which is essentially straight ahead. This section of trail is really fun, as it twists and turns in and out of tight jungle singletrack.

Before long you'll hit the intersection with the Malabar Scrub West - Red to Blue Connector take that and enjoy more fun riding through the forest including a cool bridge over the creek. This will take you over to the Blue Loop. Follow the Blue Loop all the way around and enjoy some of the cool man-made obstacles (very small ones) as well as the natural root obstacles. Look out for other trail users, including animals. I kept hearing little creatures just feet away from me in the brush skittering away.

This loop will bring you back to the Malabar Scrub West - Blue to Red Connector which also features a very cool bridge over the creek. This will hook you back up with the Red South trail. Take that to the right and it soon turns you back north.

Now, you'll intersect with the Yellow East trail, in the Cameron Preserve. Take that to your right. This trail is very well marked with yellow diamonds and a block letter E. It is one-way only, east-bound. You'll see a couple of intersections with the Blue Cameron Trails, as well as a few connectors that could get you over to the Yellow West trail. These all allow for variations in your ride.

You'll eventually come to the Red Loop of Malabar Scrub East. Follow the Red Loop all the way around. There is a park with a restroom at the south end of this loop. This loop is mostly more tight singletrack, very reminiscent of the Blue Loop over in Malabar Scrub West. You'll encounter one short section on the east side of the loop where the trail spits you out onto pavement that you must follow south for 100 or so yards before you see the trail turn back into the brush on the right hand side.

You eventually meet back up with the Yellow East trail. Take that trail west (to the left) for just a short way before you come to the intersection with the Yellow West trail on your right. Follow the Yellow West trail all the way back to the trailhead off of Briar Creek Boulevard. This one is also marked with yellow diamonds, but this time with a block letter W on them. It includes some really great twists and tight turns.

Cross the road back over to Turkey Creek Sanctuary and there you'll complete the Red Loop (North), by heading right at the trail intersection, and take that back up to your car.