Lake Wales Ridge Scrub Jay Loop
Frostproof 2.5 milesAn easy loop trail traverses scattered prairie ponds within a dry ecosystem suitable for one of the state’s most endangered birds, the Florida scrub-jay.
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Frostproof 37.0 milesAtop the ancient sands of the Lake Wales Ridge, this massive state forest offers provides hikers and equestrians an expansive network of trails.
North Walk-In-Water Creek
Lake Wales 1.5 milesExplore a fishing pond, pine flatwoods and an enchanting hammock of majestic live oaks along a pair of well-maintained loop trails.
Ridge Audubon Center
Babson Park 0.3 milesAtop 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
Lake Wales 6.2 milesWith 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
Babson Park 6.3 milesEdward Bok's "Jungle," a deeply folded landscape between Tiger Creek and Patrick Creek south of Lake Wales, is protected by The Nature Conservancy as Tiger Creek Preserve.
Tiger Creek Preserve North
Lake Wales 7.2 milesTake a step back in time while navigating the rolling terrain of impeccably preserved ancient islands along the Creek Bluff and Highlands Loops on the Lake Wales Ridge.
Tricking out a Trek
Offroad riding means a lot of bounce, especially on a washboarded limerock road like KICCO Grade. Adding trekking bars to John's mountain bike made all the difference.