Florida travel is known for its wide variety of attractions, entertainment and panorama. The consistently warm and sunny weather is great for outdoor Florida travel activities. While Florida may not have mountainous Florida hiking trails, it does offer an array of different types of Florida hiking trails. You can catch a glimpse of some gorgeous vistas and experience a number of different ecosystems from pine forests to prairies. There are Florida hiking trails of all lengths and intensity levels. Take a 5 minute walk or hikes that last a whole day.
Some of the Florida hiking trails may require permits. The FNST, a trail under construction from Big Cypress Preserver to the Panhandle, is a 1,300 mile trail special for longer trips. For more information on that Florida hiking trail, contact the Florida Trail Association at 1-800-343-1662 or www.florida-trail.org.
Find accommodations and Florida vacation rentals near any of the best Florida hiking trails. Ask your travel agency or Florida vacation rental agency where are the best places to go hiking in Florida.
Important necessities for Florida hiking trails:
• Sun block
• Bug spray (particularly in the summer months)
• Drinking water
• Proper gear
• Information and conditions on the trail
Following are some of the top Florida hiking trails. Take a look at the Florida Guide for additional trails:
1. Ocala National Forest, Ocala, FL
2. Withlacoochee State Forest, Brooksville, FL
3. Kissimmee River National Scenic Trail, Lake Wales, FL
Some of the most remote hiking in Florida. 23 miles.
4. Blackwater River State Forest, Milton, FL
The largest of the Florida state forests. Hilly terrain and red soil.
5. Florida Trail - Ocala National Forest: Clearwater Lake to Juniper Springs, Umatilla, FL
24.7 miles.
6. Florida Trail - Ocala National Forest: Juniper Springs to Salt Springs Island, Ocala, FL
18.4 miles. Crosses the rugged Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Minimal maintenance.
7. Florida Trail - Ocala National Forest: Salt Springs Island to Rodman Dam, Ocala, FL
17.6 miles. Crosses over three “islands”: Kerr Island, Salt Springs Island and Riverside Island. These islands are surrounded soil, not water.
8. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
14 miles. See red-cockaded woodpeckers, bald eagles, deer and wild hogs.
9. Wekiwa Springs Loop Trail, Orlando, FL
13 miles. A 6,900-acre pristine scenic wonder.
10. Turkey Lake Park Nature Trail, Orlando, FL
7 miles. A 300-acre park in a rural setting with picnic tables, barbecue grills, playgrounds, bike paths, swimming and an authentic farm with animals.
11. Along the Park Road - Everglades National Park, Miami, FL
Walk or drive the paved roads.
12. Apalachicola National Forest, Tallahassee, FL
Walk through the forest, you’ll pass through the habitat of about 10,000 deer, 2,000 turkeys and 175 black bear.
13. Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, FL
A 28,875-acre state park known for wildlife such as bald eagles, sandhill cranes, deer, turkey, ospreys, bobcats, otters, wild hogs, alligators and waterfowl.
14. The Flamingo Area - Everglades National Park, Flamingo, FL
Previously a fishing village only reachable by boat.
15. Econ Loop Trail, Geneva, FL
4.6 miles. Short for the Econlockhatchee River.
16. Disney Wilderness Preserve Loop and Interpretive Trails, Kissimmee, FL
3 miles. This 12,000-acre region (not-related to Disney World) is being returned to wetland conditions.
17. St. George Island, Apalachicola, FL
9 miles. Famous for white sand beaches and a fishery known for their oysters.
18. Dead River Trail, Temple Terrace, FL
2.5 miles. Runs along the Dead River.
19. Alderman’s Ford Park Loop, Lithia, FL
1.9 miles. One of Hillsborough County’s ELAPP sites. One portion is developed as a park but the majority of the area is still in its original condition.
20. Split Oak Forest Trails, Orlando, FL
A 1,700-acre forest adjacent to Moss Park and two picturesque lakes: Hart and Mary Jane and also to a very popular county park, Moss Park.
