Florida Backpacking and Day hiking

[One Half]

I am spending 4 months this winter in Florida. In Wauchula. An hour east of Bradenton. Which puts us a little south and west of center.

What guidebook(s) would you suggest I get? Also, is there a "good set" of trail maps out there? And yes, I like paper for planning and hiking.

Thanks

[perrymk]

I'm not too familiar with that area, but here is a link to the Florida Trail trail maps.

Individual Section – Florida Trail Association (https://floridatrail.org/product/individual-section-maps/)

[lkmi]

The official Florida Trail maps - at least, when I used them in early 2020 - were pretty crappy. Perhaps there's a Nat'l Geo or similar option now.
And, yes Guthook has the Florida Trail if you'd like a digital companion to your compass and paper map (I like having both).

[One Half]

I'm not just interested in the Florida Trail. I am interested in other "local" trails for short hikes.

[Traveler]

Traveling a lot, finding local trails without the help of someone in the area is difficult. I found AllTrails.com to be an excellent resource finding local trails and networks. Though the basic membership is free, the $30 annual "pro" membership allows more broad use of the information. You may want to sample the site for free first, though my guess is most anyone who travels and wants access to local trail information will find this a very handy subscription.

[One Half]

Traveling a lot, finding local trails without the help of someone in the area is difficult. I found AllTrails.com to be an excellent resource finding local trails and networks. Though the basic membership is free, the $30 annual "pro" membership allows more broad use of the information. You may want to sample the site for free first, though my guess is most anyone who travels and wants access to local trail information will find this a very handy subscription.

cool. will check it out. I also figure that once we get there we will be able to ask some locals. especially at outdoor shops.

[slowdive]

Here's a link to Wauchula area hikes. The thing about hiking here is walk 200 meters anywhere in Florida and you've about seen it all. We do have nice looking swamps and creeks I suppose but for me its a big yawn. The Florida Trail is just a bunch of the same swamp, roads, dogs, you can see anywhere in the state. Winter is of course the best time. Enjoy the diverse ecosystem of swampy Florida. If you make it over to the Cocoa Beach side we do have the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore for your hiking entertainment.

https://www.gaiagps.com/hike/city/united-states/florida/wauchula/

[stephanD]

Everybody is using Guthook these days....

[One Half]

Cool! Just "joined."


Here's a link to Wauchula area hikes. The thing about hiking here is walk 200 meters anywhere in Florida and you've about seen it all. We do have nice looking swamps and creeks I suppose but for me its a big yawn. The Florida Trail is just a bunch of the same swamp, roads, dogs, you can see anywhere in the state. Winter is of course the best time. Enjoy the diverse ecosystem of swampy Florida. If you make it over to the Cocoa Beach side we do have the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore for your hiking entertainment.

https://www.gaiagps.com/hike/city/united-states/florida/wauchula/