Hiking and Cycling
There are countless places to hike or ride a bike within the greater Everglades ecosystem. Hikers and cyclists, both road and off-road, can find trails in Florida state parks, regional parks and national parks such as Everglades National Park.
The best time to hike and bicycle in the southern Everglades is in the fall and winter when the steamy heat of summer has slipped away. One of the most popular places for all skill-levels of hikers and cyclists is Shark Valley in the heart of the "true Everglades." Shark Valley's 15-mile Tram Road is a paved trail that provides the easiest and most comfortable way to tour the Everglades by foot or bicycle. From Tram Road, hikers can take short, side-trips along Bobcat Boardwalk Trail and Otter Cave Hammock Trail. Cyclists are not permitted on either of these trails.
The Anhinga Trail, which is accessed at the Homestead entrance to Everglades National Park, is a self-guided trail that winds through a sawgrass marsh. This trail is one of the most popular in the park and is named for the ever-present distinctive bird, the anhinga. You'll also see alligators, turtles, herons, egrets and many other birds, especially during the winter.
Bear Lake Trail will take you through a dense hardwood hammock mixed with mangroves.
One of the most popular trails outside Everglades National Park is Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee. This 110-mile loop offers spectacular views, camping and varied experiences. Lack of shade and exposure to the sun can make this a challenging hike or bicycle ride. Hikers can find exciting trails throughout the region.
Take time to explore the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve and Big Cypress Seminole Reservation.
One more thing, the Everglades region is no place to be without a camera. For more information about hiking and bicycling in the Everglades, visit these links:
Bicycling in Everglades National Park
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park
South Florida Water Management District Recreational Guide
Florida Trail Hike-Big Cypress
blog comments powered by Disqus
