Florida Hikes

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

Ribbon of blue river between forested banks

Croom Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest

Surrounding the Withlacoochee River east of Brooksville, the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee River provides trails for every interest and a broad array of riverside campgrounds.

Croom Loop C

Brooksville   7.2 miles

Showcasing elements of a sandhill ecosystem, Loop C in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest offers broad views of varied foliage and wildflowers under a sparse canopy.

Croom River Trail Loop

Brooksville   3.9 miles

Using the Florida Trail and the Blue Loop Trail, hikers can explore a picturesque corner of Withlacoochee State Forest in Ridge Manor along a 3.9-mile loop.

Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail

Brooksville   9.8 miles

9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat.

Florida Trail, Croom River Trail

Brooksville   6.3 miles

A pleasant ramble on bluffs above the Withlacoochee River, the Croom River Trail segment of the Florida Trail tunnels through oak hammocks and slips around cypress swamps along its 6.3-mile journey.

Florida Trail, Croom to Chinsegut

Brooksville   4.1 miles

4.1 miles. North of Brooksville, two environmental areas and a state forest are paired with a short backwoods roadwalk as an example of conservation within a rural community.

Good Neighbor Trail

Brooksville   10.1 miles

An important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail stretches 10.1 miles from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail.

Withlacoochee State Trail

Central Florida   44.1 miles

Tracing 44 miles of railroad history down forested corridors, past big lakes and city parks, and through quaint communities, the Withlacoochee State Trail is one sweet ride