Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Fort Christmas with open gate

Christmas

Named for the fortress built during the Second Seminole War on Christmas Day of 1837, the community of Christmas sits along creeks that drain towards the St. Johns River

INTERACTIVE MAP

Florida Trail, Orlando

Kenansville to Paisley   150.5 miles

Between the prairies of Osceola County and the Ocala National Forest, this 150 mile section of the Florida Trail slips through suburbs of the Orlando metro.

Florida Trail, Seminole Ranch

Christmas   4.6 miles

Savor a thousand shades of green amid enormous trees by following the Florida Trail 4.6 miles through ancient palm hammocks along the St. Johns River floodplain at Seminole Ranch.

Florida Trail, Tosohatchee

Tosohatchee WMA   11.2 miles

Bridging an immense expanse of pine flatwoods bisected by floodplain forests, an 11-mile segment of the statewide Florida Trail crosses Tosohatchee WMA.

Green PLACE Hiking Spree

Celebrating Orange County’s initiative to protect environmentally sensitive lands, the inaugural Green PLACE Hiking Spree encourages you to hike their trails.

Hal Scott Preserve

Bithlo   17.7 miles

Explore vast prairies and seepage bogs, cross the Econ River at Curry Ford, and camp under a live oak canopy—all just east of the Orlando International Airport.

Hidden Pond Preserve

Bithlo   1.9 miles

Putting together several loops providing perspectives on pine flatwoods, prairie, swamp, and a showy pond, Hidden Pond Preserve offers a very enjoyable 1.9 mile hike.

Hiking into Christmas

One of the delights of the Florida Trail is that it passes through Christmas, Florida, a beloved stop for postmarks during this holiday season and cheery all year round.

Long Branch

Bithlo   6.6 miles

More than 6 miles of interconnected trails east of the Econlockhatchee River explore natural habitats on ranch land undergoing habitat restoration.

Orlando Wetlands

Christmas   5.0 miles

For a hike filled with the flutter and squawk of birds, Orlando Wetlands is one of the best birding spots in the state. This 5-mile loop follows our favorite route.

Pine Lily Preserve

Bithlo   4.3 miles

In every season, wildflowers are the highlight along more than 4 miles of trails at Pine Lily Preserve, where its namesake lilies bloom in late summer.