It's that time of year again! Let's lace up the hiking shoes, smear on the sunscreen, and fill up the water bottle to hit the trails for the Hillsborough County Hiking Spree. An annual tradition for thousands, the Hiking Spree begins Tuesday, Nov. 1, offering residents another year of fun and exploration in local parks and preserves.
The annual Hiking Spree began in 2016 to encourage people to exercise, explore the outdoors, and experience nature through the numerous parks and preserves in Hillsborough County. The Hiking Spree has grown in popularity each year, drawing thousands of participants.
This year's Hiking Spree trail list features 26 trails at 24 locations throughout the county. The list of hiking trails changes from year to year. For the first time, the lineup includes Egmont Key State Park, which is only accessible by water, and Ybor City Museum State Park, which links to the Ybor City Historic Trail. One of the hikes can be at a location of the participant's choice that is not on the list.
Complete at least eight between Nov. 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, to earn a patch, a medallion for your walking stick, or a bandana for your pet.
Residents are encouraged to bring their leashed dogs on the hikes; more than 2,000 people registered their dogs for last year's Hiking Spree.
The environmentally diverse sites are spread throughout the county and range from neighborhood parks like Carrollwood Village Park to large preserves with multiple habitats like Edward Medard Conservation Park. The trails are designed to offer something for everyone, from hiking rookies to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, with hikes rated easy, moderate, or strenuous. Lengths range from 4 miles to less than a mile.
The Hiking Spree is timed to take advantage of the cooler, drier weather and to coincide with prime bird-watching season. Participants are encouraged to post photos from their hikes using the hashtag #TakeAHikeHC.
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