Orlando’s wintertime reprieve from the Sunshine State’s soaring temps is over. Let’s embrace it! We’re well into spring, the sun is shining and now’s the perfect time to get some fresh air.
Nestled in almost every area of Orlando (and nearby communities) are hidden-gem trails and paths perfect to hike, bike or just unplug and touch some grass. Here are all the best spots to get outside around town.
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
Open 365 days a year, this historic landmark is known for its Art Deco singing tower and nearly 50 acres of scenic gardens to explore. Bok Tower Gardens single-day admission is $17 and will get you access to garden areas and the 3.5-mile Pine Ridge Preserve hiking trail. Credit: Bok Tower Gardens/Facebook
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka
Wekiwa is more known for its crystal-clear springs, but its 10-mile hiking trail will give adventurers another take on the state park’s natural beauty. Hikers typically get to spot white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, turkeys, bobcats and sometimes even a Florida black bear. The trails here are multi-use, so be prepared to run into the occasional cyclist or horseback rider on your walk. Credit: Shutterstock
From Lake Highland through Loch Haven Park, to Mead Garden in Winter Park
This central Orlando trail runs right through downtown and is approximately three miles long. It’s mostly an off-street path, and it has connections to six nearby lakes, Orlando Cultural Park and Gaston Edwards Park.
Credit: City of Orlando
100 Rosearden Drive, Orlando
Originally a watering hole for cattle herders, the historic Dickson Azalea Park in Orlando became a designated park in 1924. It’s ever since offered a shaded oasis filled with pink-hued azaleas and is home to the Washington Street Bridge, which was built nearly 100 years ago. Credit: Image via Google Maps
8777 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Orlando
This walking-only trail is part of a larger preserve which also houses the Vera Carter Environmental Center, home to several educational exhibits and displays. Guests can hike through miles of the walking trail and then learn more about their environment. Credit: Screengrab via Google Maps
12175 Clapp Simms Duda Road, Orlando
You might have guessed from the name, but this forest was named for a centuries-old oak tree that was split by lightning down the middle. Hikers can spot the tree while traveling along nearly eight miles of dusty prairie terrain. This network of trails and unpaved roads also veers into land that was once used for cattle operations. Now, it’s mostly home to gopher tortoises and birds. Credit: Screengrab via Google Maps
15227 Lake Pickett Road, Orlando
This Oviedo-area 3.1-mile loop trail is considered an easy hike, taking about 54 minutes to complete. It remains a popular spot for hiking and running, as well as birding and wildlife viewing. Furry friends are welcome here, as long as they remain leashed at all times. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
2000 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park
Lake Baldwin Park’s running trail offers a 2.6-mile loop surrounding the lake. It’s about a 45-minute walk, and offers plenty of spots to take in the lake views or chill out at the Lake Baldwin Park, which has a parking lot, bathrooms, boat ramp and designated dog park. Credit: Image via Google Maps
4725 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando
This multi-use trail starts at Eagle Nest Park and offers a two-mile loop around Lake Fran, a direct connections to the International Drive tourism corridor and, now, an extension to Sand Lake Road with two overlook points for wildlife viewing and general photo-taking. Credit: Kissimmee.gov
951 Barr St., Oviedo
While it’s not far off from the Orlando metro area, once you get to Barr Street Trailhead, it’s easy to forget about civilization. With miles and miles of winding trails, this trailhead has sights for hikers of all abilities to explore. There’s no bathroom, though, so make sure to fit a pre-hike facilities break into your plans. Credit: Photo via Yelp
5298 Michigan Ave., Sanford
Open daily from dawn to dusk, the Black Bear Wilderness Area offers approximately 1,600 acres of wetland habitats and trail systems in Seminole County. Visitors will find a 7.1-mile trail loop complete with several boardwalks providing passage over the more swampy areas. Credit: Image via Google Maps
3089 U.S. Highway 441-27, Fruitland Park
This trail is true to its name. Located in the swampy Central Florida woods, the nearly 1.5-mile trail is technically basin marsh, which is sometimes dry and sometimes filled with water. Either way, the trail offers its guests plenty of opportunities to see native plants and animals. Credit: Photo via FloridaStateParks.org
2700 Scrub Jay Trail, Poinciana
The Disney Wilderness Preserve is an 11,500-acre nature reserve located near Kissimmee. It was originally created through an agreement between Disney, The Nature Conservancy and the state of Florida. This longleaf pine habitat offers a breezy getaway just outside the more sought-after tourist trap. Credit: Image via Google Maps
1350 Snow Hill Road, Geneva
This trail sits on a larger wilderness conservation area and offers a chance to explore the wonders of Florida wildlife while meandering down a winding river. The spot also has plenty of pavilions, a visitors center and the chance to see sandhill cranes, deer and other fauna. Credit: Photo via fdacs.gov
25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas
This park consists of a series of wetland “cells” the city uses to naturally filter treated wastewater. Hikers can follow their fancies here: Pick your way through the wetland marshes or explore the surrounding forest, your choice. Credit: Image via Google Maps
747 Machete Trail, Oakland
This trail cuts across a boardwalk along the Lake Apopka shoreline before twining into a shady oak hammock. Hikers have a good chance of spotting animals in the adjacent wildlife preserve. Largely considered a hidden gem, this 150-acre preserve and its network of trails is nestled between Clermont and Winter Garden. Credit: Google Maps
994 Enterprise Osteen Road, Deltona
Known largely for its naturally occurring (that’s right) green sulfur springs, this state park also offers an extensive scenic trail system perfect for viewing the pristine waters while hiking. The preserve covers 31 acres of land with scenic overlooks and pavilions scattered across the nature trails. Credit: Photo via Yelp
4600 Rummell Road, St. Cloud
This short but sweet trail showcases some massive oak trees with limbs that snake in every direction. It’s perfect for a hiker looking for a good tree to climb or a picturesque place to snap some photos. Credit: Screengrab via Google Maps
5150 Dallas Blvd., Orlando
You’ll probably spot some planes overhead on this vast swath of prairie land located right outside Orlando International Airport. The trail is a five-mile flat path, perfect for hikers of all ages and abilities. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
2395 Osceola Fish Camp Road, Geneva
Two loops add up to more than two miles of natural beauty along this lakeside wonderland. Eagles perch in the tall pines here and wildflowers bloom along the lowlands, all of which can be viewed from the watchtower-style boardwalk. Credit: Google Maps
Spring to Spring Trail, DeBary
Hikers at Gemini Springs Park can visit woodland spots once frequented by ancient civilizations who lived along the banks of these twin springs. The trails border the pristine spring pockets, granting hikers some pretty picturesque views. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
3276 Howard Ave., Oviedo
This 700-acre property was acquired as part of a comprehensive effort to preserve significant habitat along the shores of Lake Jesup. The hiking paths offer an approximately 4.5 miles of trails, bringing hikers through mixed hardwood swamp, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods and more. It’s not hard to spot wildlife on this trail like barred owl, white-tailed deer, bobcats and snakes. The trails are open to hikers, bikers and any other outdoor enthusiasts. Credit: Photo via Yelp
400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka
Often described as Orlando’s own natural lazy river, Rock Springs’ Kelly Park is the perfect opportunity to relax and let the river show you around. With the options of kayaking, canoeing or paddle-boarding, there are several nooks and crannies to explore at Rock Springs, and that’s not even including the various nature trails. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock
2001 Macy Island Road, Kissimmee
This grassy trail is perfect for the less experienced hikers, although it is geared toward all abilities. Along the 1.9-mile path, hikers are almost guaranteed to spot plenty of birds throughout the tall grasses and oak trees that line the boardwalk trail. Credit: Photo via osceola.org
5100 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando
Orlando’s Shadow Bay Park straddles an ancient shoreline and offers a network of trails winding through the scrub habitat and sandy footpaths. Along with the trails, this park also has a variety of recreational opportunities, like tennis pickleball, basketball, fishing and a playground. Credit: Photo via Yelp
2301 29th St., Orlando
This one-mile loop is an ideal trail for hiking, birding, fishing and road biking. The trail is open year-round and is (leashed) dog-friendly. Credit: Photo via Yelp