Florida says, “Take a Hike!”

The Florida Park Service has designated October as Florida Greenways and Trails Month. As the weather cools, it is a great time of the year to get outside and enjoy the parks. Venture into the many parks to enjoy biking, nature walks, birding as well as kayaking and canoeing on the beautiful lakes and ponds. The Florida Park Service has produced a FLORIDA TRAIL GUIDE for the parks, divided into regions.

Southwest Florida is Region 4 and includes trails and parks all through our counties. The guide maps are separated into Southwest Florida Paddling Trails and Southwest Florida Land Trails

Some of my favorite paddling trails are Charlotte County Blueway and Sarasota County Blueway. Charlotte County Blueway takes one all through beautiful Charlotte Harbor and the lower Myakka and Peace Rivers. Sarasota County Blueway includes the upper Myakka and the bays along the coast behind the barrier islands.

Hiking trails are so numerous throughout the region that it is impossible to name them or even choose a favorite. Some of the parks have guided wildflower hikes with a ranger at a small fee and many other types of activities. Visit floridastateparks.org, for schedules of Things to Do and Events.

There are so many interesting outdoor activities in Southwest Florida that anyone with an adventurous spirit will always have something to do.