Florida Hiking Trails Month Begins

Florida, as you may already know, is a place of majestic and fragile beauty. There are amazing landscapes to explore from the Everglades down south to the aquifers beneath us running from the north. Florida’s parks, preserves and national forests have a rich diversity of ecosystems and an abundance of beauty.

The first of February began the celebration of Florida Hiking Trails Month and the state’s longtime commitment to 1,800 miles of trails. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Trail Association have deemed this month a time to get out and explore the place we call home!

Hiking, in any city or state has always been one of my favorite ways to enjoy nature. In fact, wherever I go, I seek refuge on a hiking trail. Whether I take a day hike or an extended hike to camp, I always thoroughly enjoy the beauty around me. Currently, in my life I am fortunate enough to have time to devote one day a week to being in nature. Hiking the local trails tends to bring a wonderful balance to my life as often times I find that I need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I also enjoy seeing others out enjoying nature, watching children point at birds as they fly over and just acknowledging the overall wonder that nature brings to us. It gives each of us a perfect opportunity to learn more about the natural world around us while it often inspires and gives an open space to clear the mind.

You'll find much inspiration in Florida through coasts of mangrove forests, forested uplands, wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds with the convenient trails along and within them. This is indeed a unique place to live, so this month dedicate time to treat yourself to a nice day in nature.

To look for hiking opportunities throughout the entire state of Florida be sure to visit the Florida Hiking Trail associations website to learn more about the Florida hiking trail, our version of the Appalachian trail connecting our wild places from our north to our south. 

Well, I hope that you have found inspiration to go out and venture into Wild Florida! Be sure to grab your field guide if you have one as well as your camera.

Enjoy embarking through Florida’s Wonderland and remember, what happens in nature should stay in nature. Ok my friends, in the famous words of Dale Edwards and Roy Rogers, “Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.”