Florida Hikes

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

Paddling Withlacoochee River

State Forest Recreation

Recreation in Florida State Forests, including hiking, biking, paddling, and equestrian trails as well as campgrounds

INTERACTIVE MAP

Bronson Northeast Loop

Christmas   7.5 miles

Using Orlando Wetlands to access the northeast corner of Bronson State Forest, this 7.5-mile loop burrows deeply into ancient forests in the St. Johns River floodplain.

Bronson River Trail Loop

Christmas   9.5 miles

In a lush subtropical jungle along the St Johns River floodplain, the 9.5-mile River Trail loop is an exceptionally scenic route connecting three designated campsites.

Buncombe Hill Hiking Trail

Daytona Beach   2.1 miles

At Tiger Bay State Forest near Daytona Beach, the 2.1-mile Buncombe Hill Hiking Trail interprets habitats at the location of one of Central Florida's first Boy Scout camps.

Carl Duval Moore South Tract

Palatka   1.5 miles

Follow a wide doubletrack trail across sandhill and flatwood communities to a picnic area and dock alongside a quiet rural lake.

Carl Duval Moore State Forest

Palatka   1.2 miles

At Carl Duval Moore State Forest, hike to Up & Down Lake, which sporadically vanishes, on a beautiful loop through sandhills and oak hammocks west of Palatka.

Cary Nature Trail

Baldwin   1.6 miles

In the vast mosaic of pines and cypress swamp west of Jacksonville protected by Cary State Forest, the 1.6 mile Cary Nature Trail makes a great family outing.

Cary State Forest

Baldwin   21.4 miles

Protecting more than 20 square miles of forest northwest of Jacksonville, Cary State Forest has over 20 miles of marked trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.

Citrus Hiking Trail

Inverness   39.1 miles

39.1 miles. Savor a rugged hike through rolling hills and rocky terrain on one of Florida's longest backpacking loops when you take on the Citrus Hiking Trail near Inverness

Citrus Loop D

Inverness   14.7 miles

The southernmost of four loop trails in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, Loop D showcases rocky limestone karst and rolling sandhill forests.

Converging on the Panhandle Trace

With two hikes behind us, we drove toward west to join the Panhandle Trace Hike. Knowing that after ten years of leading this event long-time Florida Trail Association activity leader Peggy Grantham would be retiring, Sandy wanted to participate this year …

Couples and Backpacking

There are many pluses to backpacking as a couple. Having a compatible partner smooths out a lot of logistical worries and reduces the weight you need to carry.

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.