Orlando is approaching a cold snap, with lower-than-usual temps meaning going outdoors is uncharacteristically bracing. It’s a great time to take advantage of Central Florida’s sprawling network of trails, paths and preserves. The terrain ranges from low to high intensity, so there are options for everyone — including casual hikers, trail joggers, bikers and bird-watchers.

Here are the area’s 26 best hiking trails, bike paths and nature preserves. 

One Stop Dumpling

5126 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
“What really stood out was the reasonable pricing for such high-quality food. It’s rare to find a spot that combines great service, delicious options, and affordability so well. I highly recommend One Stop Dumplings to anyone looking for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank! Will definitely be back soon” — Tony N. Credit: Photo via Yelp

Dickson Azalea Park

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

Black Bear Wilderness Area

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

Barr Street Trailhead

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

Shingle Creek Trail

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: Photo via orlando.gov
Swamp Trail at Lake Griffin 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

Lake Baldwin Trail

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
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve 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
Wekiwa Springs Hiking Trail 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka Wekiwa is typically 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: Photo via FloridaStateParks.org
Split Oak Forest 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 split 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

Disney Wilderness Preserve

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
Little Big Econ State Forest 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 spot sandhill cranes, deer and more. Credit: Photo via fdacs.gov

Orlando Wetlands Park

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

Oakland Nature Preserve

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: Image via Google Maps

Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area

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

Green Springs State Park

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

Lake Runnymede Conservation Area

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
Hal Scott Preserve 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

Lake Harney Wilderness Area

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: Photo via Google Maps

Gemini Springs Park

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

Black Hammock Wilderness Area

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

Kelly Park

400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka
Typically Kelly’s Parks Rock Springs are what draws the crowds to this park that shares some of its boundaries with Wekiwa State Park. However, if you’re looking for a scenic trail to hike through while staying dry, the Kelly Park Loop Trail is the way to go. Kelly Park got its start (and its name) when Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly, one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Hospital, gifted the spot to the city of Apopka in 1927 for use as a park, wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. Credit: Photo via Yelp

Twin Oaks Conservation Area

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 board walk trail. Credit: Image via Google Maps
Twin Oaks Conservation Area 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 board walk trail. Credit: Photo via osceola.org

Shadow Bay Park

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

Clear Lake Park

2301 29th St., Orlando
This 1-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

Prance through Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, 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: Photo via Bok Tower Gardens/Facebook