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 eight 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
You can ride a horse at the Cypress Creek Preserve. | Phot via Wikimedia Commons
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; it requires a walk down the road, over a boardwalk, and through the brush to get to the entrance.
Temple Terrace Riverfront Park Trail , Temple Terrace
“Get out me swamp,” this bird. | Photo via Hillsborough County
- Difficulty: 🥾 🥾
- Length: 1.6-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
This trail combines the Palmetto, Pavilion, and River Loop Trails and is shaded — but not maintained by the park or city, making it overgrown and a little uneven (which sounds like fun to us, but be careful). Pro tip: We recommend visiting during the dry season to avoid a flooded path and muddy boots.
This windy path cuts through the heart of Thontonosassa. | Screenshot via Southwest Water Management
Morris Bridge Bike Trail
, Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, Thontanosassa
- 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.
Don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars. | Photo via Hillsborough County
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 bay view and a variety of wildlife, especially for birdwatchers. It also has some accessible parking spots, gravel pathways, benches for resting, and spots to launch or rent kayaks.
Fly high at 40 ft in the sky at the Cockroach Bay Mound. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Red and Blue Trails, Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve,
Ruskin
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.3-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
This hidden gem offers a lookout hill where you can take in a sunset or sunrise over both sides of the bay. If you make it to the top, there’s a nice covered picnic bench. Be sure to check out the nearby boat launch if you’re looking to explore Cockroach Bay by water.
Pinellas
A great way to get around is on wheels. | Photo via Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Osprey and Pelican Trail
, Honeymoon Island State Park
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.5-mile loop
- Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Get ready to soar and squawk on this trail with great eagle and osprey sightings. Two sides to choose from — one with packed sand, and one with beach-like sand that can be a bit trickier to walk in. Pro tip: Visit early to avoid crowds and enjoy some peace and solitude.
A more efficient way to get around, though, is on electric wheels. | Photo via Pinellas County
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 to observe, such as crabs and woodpeckers. Enjoy informational panels throughout the trail about the local flora and fauna. It’s a great spot for nature lovers and those looking to learn more about the surrounding environment.
Bridging the Bay
Break a sweat on your city-to-city commute. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
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
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Enjoy bird watching, walking, running, and biking while taking in the picturesque views of Tampa Bay 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 miss 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.