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Sandhill wireweed

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

Lake Louisa Hiking Trail

Lake Louisa State Park

Lake Louisa State Park  |  Clermont
( 28.455807,-81.723799 )      4.1 miles

Extending between the park entrance and the recreation area along Lake Louisa, the Lake Louisa Hiking Trail showcases the habitats found along and above the lake.

Lake Louisa State Park

Lake Louisa State Park

Clermont      ( 28.4558,-81.7238 )      

As longleaf pine reaches for the sky, the rolling hills of Lake Louisa State Park near Clermont return to their forested roots

Lake Placid

Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a quiet town among the rolling hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, now known for its public art projects, murals large and small.

Lake Wales

Orange trees

Sitting between the ancient dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lake Wales is rich with outdoor recreation opportunities with panoramic views

North Loop

Trail leading to ancient live oak trees

Lake Kissimmee State Park  |  Lake Wales
( 27.9441, -81.3559 )      6.8 miles

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

On Iron Mountain

View from Iron Mountain

April 21, 2008    Sandra Friend

Atop one of the highest points in Florida stands a monument to an immigrant who lived the American Dream and decided that his legacy would be to preserve this high point: Bok Tower Gardens

Ridge Audubon Trails

Trails at Ridge Audubon Center

Babson Park      ( 27.841383, -81.533717 )      0.3 miles

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.

Sebring

Highlands Hammock

Sebring is in the heart of the state atop the Lake Wales Ridge, with significant natural areas along the Kissimmee River and its tributaries for outdoor recreation.

SUMICA

Wet prairie at SUMICA

Lake Wales      ( 27.856592, -81.375369 )      6.2 miles

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

50 Hikes Central Florida graphic

October 5, 2018    Sandra Friend

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

Bridge over Tiger Creek

Babson Park      ( 27.8315, -81.4566 )      6.3 miles

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.

Tomoka Trail

Tomoka Trail

Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park  |  Lake Placid
( 27.2967, -81.4207 )      0.3 miles

Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park is a pristine snapshot of Florida’s scrub atop the Lake Wales Ridge. This short nature trail follows Tomoka Run, a fern lined waterway

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