From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic beaches and forests, our region has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Tampa Bay area with 12 routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and the safest practices for the area.
Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
(Spoiler alert, we don’t have any hard trails because most of Florida is flat.)
Hillsborough
Baynard Trail and Seminole Trail, Hillsborough River State Park, Thonotosassa
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 5.5-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
The lengthy trail winds through the beloved state park, which boasts its own Class II river rapids. But don’t worry about time, the hike should only take a little under two hours. Parking is $6 per vehicle.
Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve Trail, Alafia River State Park, Lithia
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 9.9-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required in some areas
While many of the park’s trails are best for mountain bikers, this path takes you through a heavily forested part. You’ll find fantastic birding spots and wildflowers aplenty. The park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle.
Lizards Tail, Blue, Yellow, and Red Loop, Cypress Creek Preserve, Tampa
- Difficulty: 🥾 🥾
- Length: 3.8-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Trek through the swampland and cypress trees to observe TBAY’s vast wildlife. But be warned, locating the trailhead can be tricky; look for a bulletin board with a map that marks the entrance.
Flatwoods Loop Trail, Flatwoods Wilderness Park, Lutz
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 11-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Take a break from the hectic city life with a lengthy hike down this tree-lined trail frequented by deer and wild turkey. Plus, the trail is paved + suitable for folks using wheelchairs or strollers.
Temple Terrace Riverfront Park Trail, Temple Terrace
- Difficulty: 🥾 🥾
- Length: 1.6-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Frequent TBAY hikers recommend visiting this trail between May and June — the dry season — before the path becomes too muddy. It’s moderately difficult, + can be a little overgrown at times, but at least it’s shaded.
Morris Bridge Bike Trail, Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, Thonotosassa
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 8.1-miles out-and-back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
The trail is shared by mountain bikers + hikers, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy the best of the state’s rare elevated terrain.
Upper Tampa Bay Park Eagle Trail, Oldsmar
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 0.7-mile out-and-back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
This short trail offers a beautiful Tampa Bay views and a variety of wildlife, especially for birdwatchers. It also has accessible parking spots, gravel pathways, benches for resting, and kayaking options.
Red and Blue Trails, Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve, Ruskin
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.3-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Take in a sunset or sunrise with the Cigar City or the Burg’s skyline in the distance from the scenic lookout hill. Pro tip: Make sure to pack some bug repellent for the journey.
Pinellas
Weedon Island Preserve Trail, St. Pete
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 4.3-mile loop
- Pet friendly: No
Make your way through a pristine slice of Tampa Bay’s outdoors on the boardwalk or dirt trails, taking in all the wildlife and flora of the preserve. Don’t want to go it alone? The Weedon Island Cultural and Natural History Center offers a variety of tours, like the Guided Naturalist Tour + Photography Hike.
Osprey and Pelican Trail, Honeymoon Island State Park
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.5-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Enjoy a slice of TBAY’s natural beauty with a jaunt along this beachfront path + stop for a moment to take in the brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, and black skimmers. Note: the park charges an entrance fee, but it’s worth it for the virgin Slash Pine Forest.
Fort De Soto Park Nature Trail, Fort De Soto County Park, Tierra Verde
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.4-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
This scenic trail offers breathtaking views of nature with a diverse range of wildlife, such as crabs and woodpeckers. Enjoy informational panels throughout the trail about the local flora and fauna. Plus, pack the blankets and umbrellas for a little beach action after.
Bridging the Bay
Courtney Campbell Causeway West Trail, Stretches from Tampa to St. Pete alongside State Road 60
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 16.1-miles out-and-back
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Enjoy bird watching, walking, running, and biking while taking in the picturesque views off one of Tampa Bay’s major bridges with the wind at your back.
There are so many spots to go on scenic walks or hikes around TBAY. Let us know if we missed your favorite spot.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
- Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.
