A Traveler’s Guide to Hiking in Kissimmee
Hiking in Kissimmee Florida can be a wonderful experience. There are trails for hikers of all ages and experience levels. The beautiful landscape provides breathtaking views. There are dozens of trails to choose from. They range from beginner to advanced. Whether you’re looking for a kid-friendly family hiking trail or something that will put your skills to the test, you’ll find them at Kissimmee. We offer a traveler’s guide to hiking 10 trails in Kissimmee, to help you plan your upcoming excursion.
1. Steffee Homestead Trail
The Steffee Homestead trail is an out-and-back type trail on the outskirts of Kissimmee, Florida. This is an easy-to-navigate trail that is suitable for hikers of all skill levels. Along the way, you’ll find lovely wildflowers and multiple bird-watching opportunities. This is a hiking and walking trail that is accessible all months of the year. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be taken on a leash at all times. Be prepared to meet fellow hikers along with bird-watchers and nature trip tours on this popular family trail. Most of the trail is either boardwalk or paved, making it more suitable for walkers with adaptive equipment.
2. Pine Island East Loop Trail
This is a heavily used loop trail that takes hikers and walkers through the lovely forested landscape with plenty of wildflowers along with way. The loop takes you near the river for some lovely views of the scenery and local wildlife. There are multiple activity options along the path. You may take dogs on the trail if they are kept on a leash at all times. There is limited access to the Pine Island East Loop Trail. Parking at the trailhead is closed between 8 am to 4:30 pm during the weekdays when school is in session.
3. Buster Island Trail
The buster Island Trail is a loop-style hiking trail that is 6.9 miles in duration from start to finish. The approximate hiking time is 3.5 hours. It’s recommended that hikers take along the water for hydration on the journey. This trail is popular with backpackers. It’s ideal for families who hike into the primitive campsite to spend a few days. The trail winds through a forest of lovely live oak that create a gorgeous hammock. Although much of this trail features densely forested areas, there are portions of the path that go through open scrub and prairie areas. This serves to make it a more diverse and interesting hike. The most challenging part of the Buster Island Trail is the duration of the hike. It requires some experience and physical stamina to complete the hike.
4. Auburndale TECO Trail
The Auburndale TECO Trail is a flat trail that is made of asphalt and concrete. This makes it easy to travel for people of all ages and experience levels. If you’re not used to walking long distances, the 6.6 miles may represent a challenge. Some stamina is required to complete the hike. It’s popular with walkers and hikers and offers lovely scenery of the landscape and Lake Myr.
5. Brevard Zoo Linear Park Trail
The Brevard Zoo Linear Park Trail takes you on a 3 mile trip from the zoo through the lovely landscape, and back again. The total length of the trail is 6 miles. The surface of the trail is a combination of asphalt and boardwalk portions. It winds through the wetlands near the east side of the interstate near the Brevard Zoo. Although it’s popular with hikers and walkers, be prepared to meet runners as it’s also one of the more popular running trails in the area.
6. Cady Way Trail
The Cady Way Trail begins at Aloma Avenue and Howell Branch Road, not far from Goldenrod Park. this is a well-maintained asphalt walking and hiking trail that offers some challenges because of its duration. The trail is 7.5 miles long and can take more than 4 hours to complete. You’re likely to encounter walkers, hikers, runners, and bicyclists on the trail.
7. Disney Wilderness Preserve Trail
The Disney Wilderness Preserve Trail is in the beautiful nature conversation area that offers views of the local wildlife that reside there. The trail is easy to walk and fairly short in duration. It’s ideal for taking a family hike and walks and for observing nature. Be advised that there are off-road buggies in the area that offer tours of the preserve. You’ll find that there are hundreds of different species at the preserve.
8. Lake Baldwin Loop
The Lake Baldwin Loop trail is a wide hiking and walking trail that is made of asphalt for the surface and it’s 12 feet wide. This is a multi-use trail that is popular with hikers, walkers, runners, rollerbladers, and horseback riding. It’s advised to keep an eye out for bicycle and horse traffic, but it’s a lovely hike that takes you on a circle around Lake Baldwin.
9. Lake Apopka Loop Trail
The Lake Apopka Loop Trail is one of the longer trails in Kissimmee. It is made of crushed stone and asphalt surfaces and winds around in a loop that is 14.6 miles in duration. This trail requires substantial stamina to complete and is not recommended for smaller children or adults with any type of mobility issues. It takes you along a historical loop around the north shore of Lake Apopka.
10. Kewanee Trail
Kewanee Trail is an easy trail for hikers of all ages and experience levels. It has an asphalt surface and serves as a recreation path connecting multiple neighborhoods in the Maitland, Florida area with several destinations along the route. It’s ideal for a family outing or for taking a short jog in the mornings or evenings.
