Hillsborough County Tells Residents: Take A Hike

RIVERVIEW, FL – For most of the year, the great outdoors is rather uncomfortable in Central Florida. With high heat and humidity, residents need only to step outside to break out in a sweat.

That’s why for the second year in a row, Hillsborough County is encouraging visitors and residents to go take a hike now the weather is cooling off.

The 2018 Hillsborough County Hiking Spree encourages people to explore the county’s conservation parks, recreation center trails and nature preserves. Residents not only can get exercise more comfortably, but also can see a wide range of Hillsborough County’s natural resources.

Until March 31, people can register for the free Hiking Spree at www.HCFLGov.net/HikingSpree. After registering, people who hike eight of the county’s 20 trails and complete the form on the website will receive a commemorative medallion or patch.

The Hiking Spree works on an honor system, with no county officials monitoring participants’ progress. Each of the 20 designated trails is rated as easy, moderate or strenuous; and classified as all-purpose, basic or primitive. Several of the trails are accessible. Hikers with disabilities can repeat trails and apply for an Access Hiker Patch.

The 20 trails eligible for the 2018 Hillsborough County Hiking Spree are at the following locations:

• River Bend Trial, Alafia Scrub Nature Preserve, 10243 Elbow Bend Road, Riverview
• Two Rivers Loop, Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park, 100 Alderman’s Ford Park Drive, Plant City
• Enchanted Forest Run, Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park
• All People’s Fitness Trail, All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa
• Nature Trail, Bell Creek Nature Preserve, 10940 McMullen Road, Riverview
• Central Loop, Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve, 2469 Patrinostro Road, Plant City
• Gray Fox Fitness Trail, Branchton Neighborhood Park, 15498 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa
• Upper Tampa Bay Trail, Channel Park Trailhead, 9201 W. Water Ave., Tampa
• Nature Trail, Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve, 3839 Gulf City Road, Ruskin
• Singing Bluffs Trail, Edward Medard Conservation Park, 6140 Edward Medard Parkway, Plant City
• Serenity Loop, Eureka Springs Conservation Park, 6400 Eureka Springs Road, Tampa
• Nature Trail, Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve, 12181 East Bay Road, Gibsonton
• Hammock Run or Boardwalk, Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa
• Fish Hawk Trail North, Lithia Springs Conservation Park, 3932 Lithia Springs Road, Lithia
• Nature Trail, Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve, 3540 E. Knights Griffin Road, Plant City
• Owl Fitness Trail, Northdale Neighborhood Park, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa
• Upper Tampa Bay Trail, Peterson Road Neighborhood Park Trailhead, 8203 Peterson Road, Odessa
• Quiet Pines Fitness Trail, Ruskin/Baudette Neighborhood Park, 901 16th St. S.E., Ruskin
• Bobcat, Eagle and Otter trails, Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park, 8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa
• Rolling Acres Fitness Trail, Valrico Neighborhood Park, 707 S. Miller Road, Valrico

The 2018 Hillsborough County Hiking spree is open to residents and visitors alike. There are no age or physical restrictions to participate. Hikes can be done individually or during an official tour or hike.

Hillsborough County will also allow participants to hike anywhere on Earth for one of the entries. Hikes must take place on a designated trail, and the location, trail name and distance must be recorded on the official form.

For more information, visit www.HCFLGov.net/HikingSpree.

Image via Hillsborough County, Florida Government Facebook page