Located in Central Florida's Lake District, Polk County Florida has hiking trails and outdoor adventure in abundance. With over 30 parks with hiking trails, hikers of all skill and fitness levels should find a trip to suit their needs. Guided trips are available, or more experienced hikers can set off by themselves. In either case, hikers will be treated to lush green flora and multifarious varieties of fauna.
Finding Trails
Print guides and websites with trail guides are easy to find. One such site worth visiting is called "Trek Ten Trails." Hosted by VisitCentralFlorida.org, "Trek Ten Trails was created to get people back into exploring nature with guided tours." Program trails can be hiked alone or in groups as well, but the option of guided tours may motivate those who, various reasons, have been reluctant to hike.
Endangered Species
Once on the trails, hikers will be treated to a chance to glimpse examples of "over 50 species of endangered, threatened or rare animals" according to VisitCentralFlorida. Such species include animals only found in Florida and central Florida, making Polk County hiking all the more special. Endangered species found in the Polk County park Lake Wales Ridge State Park include "24 plants and 19 animals" according to Fl-DOF.com.
Geocaching and "Celebrate Nature Passport Journal"
The Celebrate Nature Passport Journal is made available by the visitor information center Polk Outpost 27. This passport serves as a field journal and place to keep track of a hiker's accomplishments and finds. It is also a place to record the results of a hiker's geocaching which is "the latest high-tech craze...a kind of modern-day treasure hunting using GPS" according to VisitFlorida.com. coordinates and other directions to the "treasure" are provided.
Water Features
As with the rest of Florida, water features in Polk County are seemingly everywhere. Trails wind their way along bogs, over streams and through swamps. Hikers should be cautious, and only swim in areas marked as designated swimming areas. Although attacks and bites are very rare, many areas are home to alligators and snakes. Never approach one of these animals, instead give them the space they deserve in their own homes.
What to Bring
Hiking anywhere is can be a strenuous activity. Hiking in Florida has the added burden of being a rather hot affair in the spring and summer seasons. Hikers should come prepared with enough water to stave off potentially life-threatening dehydration. Bug repellent and sun screen are a must for almost any Florida outdoor venue, but especially on the trails where shelter from insects and sun are not always available. Having a snake bite kit as a part of an overall first aid kit is also not a bad idea for hikers planning to take swampier routes.
Member Comments