Florida Hiking Trails

Central Florida Hiking Trails

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As the cold weather finally arrives, it’s the ideal time to get outdoors and hit some of the hiking trails throughout Central Florida. Note: This is by no means an exhaustive list of Central Florida hiking trails, but just a representative sample of trails that I either have hiked recently (highlighted in red) or plan to hike in the near future. For more information about Florida hiking trails, visit the definitive online Florida hiking guide at Florida Hikes!

Bear Creek Nature Trail (Winter Springs)
0.9 miles 0.3 miles

Big Tree Park (Longwood)
0.3 miles

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake (Orlando)
2.4 miles

Black Bear Wilderness Area (Sanford)
Black Bear Wilderness Loop Trail – 7.1 miles

Black Hammock Wilderness Area (Oviedo)
4.5 miles

Blue Spring State Park (Orange City)
Boardwalk – 1.3 miles
Pine Island Trail – 7.3 miles

Bluffton Nature Trail (Lake George State Forest)
1.2 miles

Circle B Bar Reserve (Lakeland)
3.5 miles

Crooked River Preserve (Clermont)
1.7 miles

De Leon Springs State Park (De Leon Springs)
Wild Persimmon Trail (4.5 miles)

Disney Wilderness Preserve (Poinciana)
White Trail – 0.5 miles
Red Trail – 2.5 miles
Yellow Trail – 3.6 miles

Econ River Wilderness Area (Oviedo)
3.2 miles

Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area (Orlando)
3.2 miles

Ferndale Preserve (Ferndale)
2.1 miles

Flat Island Preserve (Leesburg)
3.7 miles

Gemini Springs Park (DeBary)
2.2 miles

Geneva Wilderness Area (Geneva)
1.8 miles

Green Springs Park (Deltona)
1.2 miles

Hal Scott Preserve (Orlando)
White Trail Loop – 4.3 miles
Red Trail Loop – 6.1 miles
Yellow Trail Loop  – 6.3 miles

Hickory Bluff Preserve (Osteen)
1.5 miles

Hickory Point Recreational Park (Tavares)
1 mile

Hidden Waters Preserve (Eustis)
Lake Alfred Trail – 0.6 miles
Hammock Trail – 0.2 miles
Ravine Trail – 0.4 miles
Gopher Tortoise Trail – 0.2 miles
Prickly Pear Trail – 0.3 miles
Longleaf Pine Trail – 1.5 miles

Hontoon Island State Park (DeLand)
Indian Mound Nature Trail (3.3 miles)

Isle of Pine Preserve (Orlando)
1.8 miles

Kelly Park (Apopka)
Kelly Park Loop Trail – 2.4 miles

Lake Griffin State Park (Fruitland Park)
2 miles

Lake Harney Wilderness Area (Geneva)
2.4 miles

Lake Jesup Wilderness Area (Sanford)
2.7 miles

Lake Lotus Park (Altamonte Springs)
1.7 miles

Lake Louisa State Park (Clermont)
4.1 miles

Lake May Reserve (Eustis)
2.4 miles

Lake Mills Park (Chuluota)
0.8 miles

Lake Monroe Conservation Area (Osteen)
White Trail Loop – 1.4 miles
Yellow Trail Loop – 5.6 miles
Red Trail Loop – 1.9 miles

Lake Proctor Wilderness Area (Geneva)
4 miles

Little Big Econ State Forest (Geneva)
Kolokee Loop – 4.7 miles

Lyonia Preserve (Deltona)
2.1 miles

Oakland Nature Preserve (Oakland)
2.1 miles

Orlando Wetlands Park (Christmas)
5 miles

Palm Island Park (Mount Dora)
1 mile

Pine Lily Preserve (Orlando)
4.3 miles

Ponce Preserve (Ponce Inlet)
1.6 miles

Rock Springs Run State Reserve (Sorrento)
17 miles of trails

Sara Maude Mason Nature Preserve (Howey-in-the-Hills)
0.6 miles

Savage Christmas Creek Preserve (Christmas)
4.8 miles

Shingle Creek Regional Park (Kissimmee)
Steffee Homestead – 1.3 miles
Historic Babb Landing – 1.8 miles

Smyrna Dunes Park (New Smyrna Beach)
2.4 miles

Split Oak Forest (Orlando)
6.4 miles

Spring Hammock Preserve (Sanford)
3 miles

Tibet-Butler Preserve (Orlando)
Fallen Log Crossing – 0.54 miles
Osprey Overlook – 0.13 miles
Pine Circle – 0.86 miles
Screech Owl Trail – 0.11 miles
Tarflower Loop Trail – 0.49 miles

Trimble Park (Mount Dora)
1.3 miles

Trout Lake Nature Center (Eustis)
1.4 miles

Twin Oaks Conservation Area (Kissimmee)
1.9 miles

Wekiwa Springs State Park (Apopka)
10.2 miles

Lake Griffin State Park

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Encompassing 620 acres just north of Leesburg, Lake Griffin State Park is home to the second-largest oak tree in Florida! A short trail leads off a small parking lot to the right just after the ranger station to this massive live oak tree. The sign in front of the live oak tree reads, “This live oak tree is the second largest oak tree in the state of Florida and is estimated to be between 300-500 years old. It serves as a home for many species of mammals and birds and may even have been a landmark for the Timuca Indians who frequented the area before settlement and later the Seminole Indians. The first settlers discovered the tree in 1811, since then it has attracted tourists from the entire nation.” In addition, the park features two hiking trails, campground, canoe/kayak rentals and guided pontoon boat tours. Lake Griffin State Park is located at 3089 U.S. 441-27 in Fruitland Park.

Hike #23: Hal Scott Preserve

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Hike #23, 52 Hike Challenge: Hal Scott Preserve, Orlando. The Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park encompasses more than 9,500 acres and features three loop trails: White Trail (4.3 miles), Red Trail (6.1 miles) and Yellow Trail (6.3 miles). I took the White Trail and enjoyed one of my first truly fall hikes of the season. Note that you will share the trail with cyclists, hikers with dogs and sometimes cyclists with dogs. I will definitely be back to hike the other two trails down the line. Distance: 4.3 miles.

Hike #22: Lake Lotus Park

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Hike #22, 52 Hike Challenge: Lake Lotus Park, Altamonte Springs. Lake Lotus Park lies just off bustling Maitland Boulevard, so my expectations were rather low for an escape into nature. However, I was totally impressed with the 150-acre nature preserve as I strolled along the lengthy boardwalk, which I had pretty much to myself on a quiet Friday afternoon. Although I didn’t see any alligators on this visit, I did view what I believe to be a Florida redbelly turtle (see above). I will definitely be back! Note that there is tram service available from an off-site parking area across the street during weekends since parking inside Lake Lotus Park is very limited. Distance: 1.3 miles.

Hike #21: Split Oak Forest, Orlando

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Hike #21, 52 Hike Challenge: Split Oak Forest Wildlife & Environmental Area, Orlando. I had a peaceful hike through Split Oak Forest, a splendid oasis located just outside the sprawling Lake Nona area. Unfortunately, the relentless folks at the Florida DOT want to run an expressway right through this amazing 2,000-acre Florida scrub forest managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A group called Friends of Split Oak Forest has been formed with the goal of “protecting Split Oak Forest for the future.” Hopefully, Split Oak Forest will remain free from sprawling Central Florida development for future generations to enjoy! Distance: 5.2 miles.

 

Hike #20: Paynes Creek Historic State Park

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Hike #20, 52 Hike Challenge: Paynes Creek Historic State Park. On Sunday, we got the opportunity to search for fossilized shark’s teeth at a secluded creek near Bowling Green in lightly populated Hardee County. Very cool experience! Since we were in the area, we decided to check out Paynes Creek Historic State Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located at the site of Fort Chokonikla (built in 1849). We took a short hike to the confluence of Paynes Creek and the Peace River (very scenic!). Unfortunately, the Suspension Bridge pictured above is closed to hikers. A Visitor Center depicts “the lives of Florida’s Seminoles and pioneers during the mid-1800s.” Paynes Creek Historic State Park is located at 888 Lake Branch Road. Distance: 1.2 miles.

Hike #18: Tibet-Butler Preserve

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Hike #18, 52 Hike Challenge: Tibet-Butler Preserve, Orlando. Nestled amid some serious urban sprawl, the Tibet-Butler Preserve offers a respite from the stresses of modern society. I hiked several trails, including Fallen Log Crossing, Osprey Overlook, Tarflower Loop and Pine Circle Loop (the Palmetto Passage is closed indefinitely due to flooding). In addition, I strolled through the Vera Carter Environmental Center. Very well done! The Tibet-Butler Preserve is located at 8777 County Road 535. Distance: 2 miles.

Hike #17: Crooked River Preserve

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Hike #17, 52 Hike Challenge: Crooked River Preserve. Clermont. Surrounded by sprawling development, Crooked River Preserve is a quiet and scenic oasis of wilderness that protects 64 acres of waterfront on Lake Louisa and along the Palatlakaha River. Crooked River Preserve is composed of several short trails that loop around and which hikers can knock out in about an hour: Cypress Trail, Titi Trail, Sink Trail and Fern Trail. Highly recommended! Wildlife sighting: Red-Shouldered Hawk. Distance: 1.7 miles.

 

Hike #16: Geneva Wilderness Area

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Hike #16, 52 Hike Challenge: Geneva Wilderness Area. I enjoyed hiking at the 180-acre Geneva Wilderness Area, but I ran into some flooded areas. I will return during the dry season to further explore this scenic area. The Geneva Wilderness Area lies at 3485 N. County Road 426 in East Seminole County. Distance: 1.8 miles.