Living in South Florida, we are blessed with lots of nature trails. From the beaches to the Everglades, there are tons of beautiful sceneries to walk and find some fitness. Here’s what you need to know.
Essentials
While Florida is known for its unpredictable weather, one thing is almost always certain: the heat. Regardless of where you go hiking, it’s essential to bring water, snacks and sunscreen. Even if you’re only hiking one mile, given the heat and humidity, you don’t want to risk dehydration. Wear some comfy, lightweight clothing and good walking or hiking shoes, pack a small backpack with the essentials and get on a trail. Some other good items to bring include bug spray, a knife or multi-tool, first aid kit, sunglasses, and of course, your phone, in case you want to photograph or video some cool wildlife, insects or flowers.
Where to hike
Luckily, we’ve got a lot of cool places to go on hikes, around campus and far from campus. Here are some of my favorites.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades is a given when discussing where to hike in South Florida, and it’s not just because of its acres of land you can walk, but because of the wildlife and flora you can see on different trails. You have the opportunity to see gators, a variety of bird species and even grasshoppers and crabs. Everglades National Park is accessible year-round and has a plethora of trails to choose from. Some include Pine Island trails, Flamingo trails and Shark Valley trails. Most of the hiking trails in the Everglades are short and tame, suitable for everyone. Even if you have never hiked a trail before, Everglades National Park is a great place to start.
Tree Tops Park
Only ten minutes away from campus, Tree Tops Park is a 23-acre park filled with nature trails and a freshwater marsh. Tree Tops is a great hiking getaway, accessible year-round if you don’t want to stray too far from campus. Here you will find tons of flora and fauna and peaceful trails that will transport you somewhere else. There is even an observation tower where you can get a good bird’s eye view of the forest you’re in and is a great place for a simple picnic before or after your hike. If you’re looking to do a trail with wildlife, Tree Tops has got you covered, too. Here you can find tons of turtles near the marsh.
Biscayne National Park
Farther south, Biscayne National Park is a great place to hike near the ocean. Accessible year-round, here you will find wildlife, like crabs and blue herons, and have the opportunity to cool down by the water after your hike on a hot day. Biscayne National Park offers a 9.9-mile trail that is good for all skill level hikers. Going right before sunrise is my favorite time to go because you get to reward yourself for a good hike by watching the sunrise right above the water.
Whether you’ve been out hiking in the mountains or have never hiked a day in your life, South Florida has got some great unique trails for you to walk, run or bike on. All you have to do is get out there.
