With an interlinking network of loop trails, Crooked Lake Prairie is a refreshing excursion into habitats found on the high hills of the Lake Wales Ridge
Florida Trail along the Kissimmee River
The move of the Florida Trail to the east side of the Kissimmee River is the longest and most significant trail relocation seen in many years. As it changed in December 2013, the new route is not included in The Florida Trail Guide, so please print these details to replace what is in your book …
Florida Trail, KICCO North
3.4 miles. Take in a panorama of marshes busy with birds in the Kissimmee River floodplain at River Ranch along the northernmost reaches of the Kissimmee River
Florida Trail, KICCO South
10.1 miles. Ancient live oaks break up the expanse of cattle pastures and prairies along the Florida Trail adjoining the Kissimmee River in KICCO
Florida Trail, Kissimmee
111.3 miles. Following the Kissimmee River floodplain, this is a scenic section of the Florida Trail with a mix of levees, shady woods, river views, open prairies, and cattle ranches.
Hickory Lake Scrub
Nestled along the eastern shore of Hickory Lake, Hickory Lake Scrub is a 57-acre preserve showcasing some of the unusual plants you can only find on the Lake Wales Ridge
Lake Wales Ridge
South of Lake Apopka, the Lake Wales Ridge is a significant landform down the middle of the Florida peninsula, with its highest hills and oldest biological communities
North Loop
Crossing the Lake Kissimmee State Park park drive multiple times, the 6.8-mile North Loop is the easiest trail to access within the park, offering excellent birding
Ridge Audubon Trails
Atop the Lake Wales Ridge, the nature trails at the Ridge Audubon Center in Babson Park do a fabulous job of interpreting the unique flora and fauna of this island of biodiversity.
SUMICA
With up to 6.2 miles of trails – many of them a bit wet – SUMICA is one of the natural lands in Polk County where birding is especially superb.
The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida
We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.
Tiger Creek Preserve
Edward Bok called it “The Jungle,” this deeply folded landscape between Tiger Creek and Patrick Creek south of Lake Wales now protected as Tiger Creek Preserve. Explore its fascinating ridges and valleys along this 6.3-mile linear hike between its trailheads, one of many hiking options possible.