“The longest journey begins with a single step, not with a turn of the ignition key. That’s the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn’t much matter whether you get where you’re going or not. You’ll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home. Right where you started.” – Edward Abbey
Florida Hiking Trails
Smyrna Dunes Park
With a 1.5-mile-long boardwalk that meanders over vast sand dunes and overlooks white-sand beaches, Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach is the perfect spot for a family outing! We spotted dozens of gopher tortoise burrows, but the weather was a little too chilly for the friendly critters to leave the confines of their homes. We will be back soon!
Bourlay Historic Nature Park
Nestled alongside scenic Lake Griffin in Leesburg, Bourlay Historic Nature Park features several short hiking trails, along with an old Florida cracker house (which serves as a visitor center), 1930’s Bourlay House and Barn (a private residence but one of the trails goes right by it), chickee hut, small fishing pier and kayak launch.
Oakland Nature Preserve
“West of Orlando, just 30 minutes from the attractions and nestled between Winter Garden and Clermont in the beautiful Town of Oakland, lies a “hidden gem.” A 128-acre preserve offering environmental education and ecotourism activities for visitors of all ages.” Visit the official Oakland Nature Preserve website for more information.
Lake May Reserve, Eustis
If you’re looking for a short and scenic hike (2.4 miles) in Lake County, check out the Lake May Reserve in Eustis. There’s even a slight elevation change!
Highlands Hammock State Park
Address: 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, Florida 33872
Phone: (863) 386-6094
Hours: Daily, 8 AM to Sunset
Admission: $6 per vehicle; $4 per single occupant vehicle; $2 for pedestrians & bicyclists
History: First opened in 1931, the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in 1934 and became one of Florida’s first state parks in 1935. Today, the park encompasses more than 9,000 acres
Hiking Trails:
- Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail (home to one of the park’s 1,000-year-old oak trees pictured above)
- Allen Altvater Trail
- Ancient Hammock Trail
- Cypress Swamp Trail (scenic catwalk and most popular trail in park)
- Fern Garden Trail
- Hickory Trail (features a narrow catwalk)
- Richard Lieber Memorial Trail (boardwalk)
- Wild Orange Grove Trail
- Young Hammock Trail
Other Park Activities:
- Bicycling
- Birding (part of Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail)
- Camping
- Geo-Seeking
- Picnicking
- Tram Tours
- Wildlife Viewing
Lake Ashby Park, New Smyrna Beach
Last Saturday, I hiked three trails in three hours: Lake Ashby Park in New Smyrna Beach, as well as Palm Bluff Conservation Area and Hickory Bluff Preserve, both in Osteen. Lake Ashby offers an extensive boardwalk that is very cool. I really enjoyed this hike! Highly recommended!
Hickory Bluff Preserve
I arrived at 135-acre Hickory Bluff Preserve in Osteen at around 10 AM on a Saturday and had the place to myself. It’s actually two short hiking trails that total about 1.5 miles with the highlight being a great view of the scenic St. Johns River. I saw a white-tailed deer very briefly on the Red Trail. It’s a nice hike and I will definitely be back!
Wandering Florida 