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 16 routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure + 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

Eureka Springs Boardwalk, Tampa
Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 0.5-mile loop
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required

Looking for a quick way to get some nature into your lunch break? Hop on the conservation park's paved path to explore a range of rare and unusual tropical plants. And if you have time, its worth checking out the park’s rose garden and orchid room.

Temple Terrace Riverfront Park Trail, Temple Terrace

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 1.6-mile
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required

Combine the Palmetto, Pavilion, and River Loop Trails for a leisurely — but slightly more difficult — weekend hike exploring this Old Florida paradise. Pro tip: This trail can sometimes flood, so make sure to pick a sunny day for your hike.

Baynard Trail and Seminole Trail, Hillsborough River State Park

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.

Davis Island Trail, Tampa

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.6-mile out-and-back
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required

The best part about Tampa Bay's hikes? The views. This scenic trail winds past some of the exclusive area's homes and offers top notch waterfront vistas.

Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve Trail, Alafia River State Park

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

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

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

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 8.1 miles out-and-back
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required

The trail is shared by mountain bikers + hikers, as it's 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 miles out-and-back
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required

This short trail offers 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.

Fly high at 40 ft in the sky at the Cockroach Bay Mound | Photo by TBAYtoday

Red and Blue Trails, Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve

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

Pinellas Trail, Pinellas County

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 45.1-mile path
Pet friendly: Yes

It's the best way to explore the county — in our opinion — from St. Pete all the way to Tarpon Springs. Do as much or as little of the paved trail as you like. Then, stop off to try new eateries or grab a drink at one of the many businesses located off the trail.

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

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.
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.