Hiking the Florida Trail: A Winter Adventure for People Who Hate Winter
Hiking the Florida Trail: A Winter Adventure for People Who Hate Winter
It has cypress swamps, shorelines, and an offbeat character all its own. What the Florida Trail doesn't have is crowds, or many thru-hikers at all. Could it be the winter adventure for you?
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There’s a long trail out there with no snow, no crowds, and no stressful rush for permits. It’s more than a thousand miles, with abundant wildlife and a vibe all its own. But if you’re imagining it in the mountains or the lonely deserts of the southwest, you’re looking in the wrong place.
The Florida Trail is one of the most offbeat thru-hikes in America, knitting together backroads, swamps, and forest into a 1,500 mile trek spanning the length of the Sunshine State that fewer than 50 people try to thru-hike every year. While Florida may not be renowned as a hiking destination, the trail has its vocal supporters—including Backpacker and Outside contributor Grayson Haver Currin, who singles out the Florida Trail as perhaps his favorite thru-hike in a prolific career of them. Thinking about taking a long walk through a long peninsula? Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Florida Trail.
Florida Trail: A Guide to Thru-Hiking the Sunshine State
If you’re already sold on the idea of a thru- or section-hike of the Florida Trail, this primer will get you started with maps, packing suggestions, a section-by-section breakdown, and tips for making your way.
Everything I Wish I Knew Before Hiking the Florida Trail
You don’t need much food, you may be colder than you think, and if you’re not careful, you may discover that the mythical Florida Man is actually very, very real. Here’s everything Grayson Haver Currin wishes he knew before starting his thru-hike of the Florida Trail.
What Did I Learn from the Swampy Muck of the Florida Trail? That I’m a Kink Hiker.
The Florida Trail may be flat, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. With muddy water, watery mud, and every variety of other variety of slop besides, the going can get rough. Add in mosquitoes and occasional cold snaps, and it can get downright painful. But is that really such a bad thing?
What You Need to Know About Alligators Before Hiking or Paddling in Florida
Florida’s most iconic animals are a common sight along the waterways and trails of the state. Should you be afraid of them? No. But you should respect the hell out of them. Learn to coexist with modern-day dinos with this guide to recreating around the reptiles.
From 2025
