Over the past few months - in 90+ degree weather, no less - I’ve taken to being in the outdoors exploring the backwoods of Florida. I’m not doing this haphazardly, however, but instead on the trails of our State Parks and State Forests. These areas are quite possibly the most well-preserved and well-suited for hiking, and I find a great deal of enjoyment in the peaceful settings they offer.

As a goal, I’m attempting to get through the first level of the Division of Forestry’s “Trailwalker” program. To become a “Trailwalker”, one must complete 10 different hikes in at least 5 different state forests. It shouldn’t be a difficult goal to achieve, but it does require some planning. Only certain trails have been selected for the program, a list of which is available on the DOF website.

Many of these hikes are simple, a few miles or less. All of them are well marked and rarely require any real navigation skills. As long as you get the trail map and can figure out which way your starting out, you’ll easily be able to find your way back. When you’re out on the trail, look for posts, trees or other markers with colored blazes on them. One blaze means you’re on the trail, two blazes mean there’s a change of direction.

As of today, I’ve completed six hikes in four state forests: Kolokee at Little Big Econ State Forest; Lower Wekiva at Seminole State Forest; Buncombe Hill at Tiger Bay State Forest; Bluffton Interpretive at Lake George State Forest; Bay Loop and Old Cabin at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.

Of the six, I’d easily go back to the Kolokee, Lower Wekiva and Bluffton Interpretive trails. The Lower Wekiva trail offered me my first view of a Florida black bear in the wild. While that may sound dangerous (I don’t think it does), there is no record of a black bear attack in the state, and I was well separated from the bear by 20 yards of brush and trees. I simply stood and watched as the bear made its way down to the small stream for a drink of water.

Unfortunately, no good photo evidence of this exists.

If this sounds interesting to you, check out a local state park or state forest. You’ll want to bring a small backpack (no fannypacks, please) with a simple first-aid kit, water and a couple of snacks. Just be sure to bring the trash out of the woods with you and to always stay on or near the trail.

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