Gertrude&#x27;s Walk

(240 reviews)

26.7 km

Yesterday, my friend, Lydia and I drove to Kelly Springs State Park for fun in the sun and a day of…read morerelaxation. The park is about 40 minutes from where she lives off of colonial. You get to bring your own food and drinks. They also have a concession area where you can just your own food and drinks. At the state park, they have a concession booth and a restroom as well. The park is open from 8 AM to 6 PM and I have a recommend staying at the full day. It was so nice and relaxing plus parking was only three dollars. 10/10

Kelly Park was the first spring I've ever been too and I just fell in love!! Make sure you take a…read morefloatie because It is a lazy river type of spring. There is also an option to rent tubes outside the park! You have to get there SUPER early to get in as there will be a line!! You walk to the very beginning and the spring will take you with the current all the way to the end where you need to get out and walk all the way to the beginning!! I have seen a hand full of people trying to walk back while in the water but it is a work out! They have showers, restrooms and even a concession stand! You can even camp there and they have trails to walk through. The beginning of the spring is probably the deepest at -about 3ft and the rest is about 2 feet tall if that! There is also a kiddie pool area that is part of the spring. It was only $5 to get in for 2 people in one car and bring cash! It is a nature park and you do see wild life!! Only reason I gave 4 stars is because if it is peak season you may not get in unless you get in line by 6am Make sure to pack a lunch or use the grill there... they also have pavilions you can rent

Walkway to concessions. Cash only.

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Tibet-Butler Preserve

(76 reviews)

19.4 km

You better think twice before you wear your favorite hiking shoes cause things might get a little…read moremuddy! During rainy season some of the trails even close down due to flooding. But for the most of the year this preserve is about three miles of nice, flat hiking. We even spotted some osprey and a tortoise sunbathing in the middle of the trail on the way out.

Upon entering I immediately realized I had to leave because there is multiple signs that dogs are…read morenot allowed.

Boardwalks

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Gopher Tortoise.

Black Bear Wilderness Area

4.9

(52 reviews)

33.4 km

This is a pretty nice trail. It's a 7 mile trail with plenty of things to see like the St John's…read moreRiver. I recommend coming early in the morning to avoid the Florida heat. You'll definitely feel the mugginess in the afternoon. Though it is a popular place to hike. It was actually quiet and peaceful. It's an easy trail but I wanted to challenge myself so I did it with a weighted vest on my back. In fact, I passed a few other hikers with weights on too . so if you're training for something, this place is it.

I've lived in Orlando 7 years and I've heard that the trails out here weren't the greatest,…read moreespecially coming from Cali so I didn't try many of the trails here. I'm so glad I finally decided to check this one out. The roots and elevation in some areas definitely made this a moderate hike. I was tripping all over the place LOL. 7.1 miles definitely added up. It was a great workout. I enjoyed the views and animal sighting. I will be back again!

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Mead Botanical Garden

(125 reviews)

5.0 km

i had a great time walking around this garden located in winter park. there was a wedding…read morehappening, a family gathering elsewhere by the river, & the whole space was buzzing w/ summer energy. there is a whole area of the garden i have yet to explore but good thing is - it's free! i was a little lost on the map, it would have been nice to have a more clear distance gauge because some of the lines look like the trail is super long when in reality it's not and just the placement of buildings/parking too. i'll be back to conquer that map !! or maybe i'll stay a while and smell the roses.

The Gardens are beautiful and a great place to reconnect with the world. We went to see the…read moreNight-Blooming Cereus. It's a once a year blooming that is amazing. The trails are an easy walk and quite beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Tropical milkweed.

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Greenwood Urban Wetlands

(39 reviews)

1.9 km

Lovely paved path around two lakes in downtown Orlando, just south of the 408 off Mills. Great for…read morean after lunch stroll. Well maintained

Greenwood Urban Wetlands is a 19 acre nature park in Orlando. It lies on the west side of Greenwood…read moreCemetery which was established in 1880 and is where many of Orlando's notables and pioneers lie at rest. The wetlands were created in 1991 between the Lake Davis and Lake Como neighborhoods as a stormwater treatment facility to handle the water run off. While the main purpose of the park is to clean the reclaimed water, a welcome byproduct of that is that it attracts a lot of wildlife. Wetland parks are some of my favorite kind of parks because they attract a variety of wildlife including wading birds, migrating birds, lizards, turtles, and alligators. At the entrance to the park is a community garden and Little Library. My favorite part of the park is the 0.7-mile loop trail surrounding Lake Greenwood that takes approximately 13 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking. Along the way you will pass cypress trees, cross two bridges, and see a variety of birds enjoying the lake. Animals that have been spotted here include blue jays, ducks, barn owls, and red wing blackbirds. During my visit I saw a Great Blue Heron and a Great Egret along with ducks. The scenery during my walk was stunning. I saw a number of people reading, playing with their kids, and exercising. This is an ideal place to practice your photography, bird, watch, and have a picnic. This is such a wonderful natural resource for the city of Orlando and I loved my visit.

Great Blue Heron

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Great Blue Heron

Little Big Econ State Forest

4.9

(25 reviews)

29.8 km

I entered at the Jones East Trailhead, which has plenty of parking and also has restrooms at the…read moreentrance to the trailhead. Walking the trailhead was relatively simple and relaxing. I did encounter a few other people (they were either walking like myself or on a bicycle). The path itself is somewhat narrow, but it was enough for us to pass each other with no real inconvenience. Little Big Econ State Forest is a pretty cool place to check out. Walking the path, it was easy to forget that you were just outside of a major United States city in the twenty-first century. I seek out these spots where I can walk through the trees and forget the troubles of living in a modern city in today's modern world. Little Big Econ State Forest is a cool place to seek out if you are looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

This state forest is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Orlando. We highly recommend it. They…read moreoffer maps at the start of the trail. So lush and peaceful. The stream along side most of the trail is beautiful. There are many benches along the path that offer a nice view of the scenery with shade. We took our pups and hiked for about 2 miles. The hikes range from 3 - 10 miles. I saw they do offer camping as well. Make sure to pack some water. It was nice to see many tamiles and couples enjoying the outdoors. We loved the variety of scenery and that it has lots of natural shade throughout the hike.

Shaded trail

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Maps available

Bear Creek Nature Trail

4.1

(14 reviews)

20.2 km

Bear Creek Trail was a fun discovery on a recent trip to Winter Springs. There is a small parking…read morearea at the trailhead. From the parking area the trail radiates in both directions through a small hammock area with ancient cypress, oaks, and cabbage palms. The natural area serves as a floodplain buffer between two neighborhoods in the Tuscawilla community. The trail is maintained by the City of Winter Springs. Bear Creek Nature Trail is narrow and sandy. It runs parallel to Bear Creek. There are changes in elevation which makes it more interesting and you cross two small bridges. When you are high above the creek you have to be cognizant of your footing so that you don't accidentally step off the trail and fall. There are also picnic tables available. The length of the trail is .9 of a mile. Bear Creek Nature Trail was an easy and fun hike and I enjoyed the view of the creek. It also had the added bonus of being mostly shaded and bug free!

awful do not recommend. I couldn't even stand up from over five seconds straight before freaking…read moredirt slid out from underneath me and I fell into like 20 different rivers only like a mile we ended up like 5 miles away from where we started and I was drenched in water for how many times I fell in the creek bro. I've probably got one or 23 amoeba's in my dick right now, dude if I get sick, I'm suing the creek

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Split Oak Forest

4.0

(17 reviews)

26.8 km

I joined the Save Split Oak group for a guided hike and had a lovely visit. Highly recommend…read morechecking them out and going with the group as they are so knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, special points of interest, and any questions we had. It's a beautiful area with plenty of trails to wander and experience true Florida nature. There are many options to choose from to have the experience you're looking for for length of hike, shade level, openness, what to see, etc. Hopefully it will remain protected but definitely recommend visiting while you can.

Be careful!!! Amazing trail but my dog got bit by a snake on Friday while sniffing in the bushes…read more Do not let your dogs sniff intensely into bushes keep walking!! It was a side bush and happened in a split second. Other than that amazing trail

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Orlando Wetlands

4.8

(56 reviews)

37.6 km

What a great place to see the native wildlife and plant species. During my walk along the trail, I…read moresaw so many birds, turtles, and alligators - it's definitely a place to take photos. Besides hiking, the park also offers biking, bird watching, and horseback riding, plus guided tours. Check out the visitor center, you'll see live fishes and baby alligators, as well as taxidermy displays of the local wildlife. You'll also learn how this wetland functions as an advanced treatment for Orlando's reclaimed water. I thought it was super informative!

Truly a hidden gem! It's free to visi and they offer free tram rides on the weekends. It's sooo…read morevast and beautiful, there's so much wild life to see. On my hike we saw tons of alligators, birds, bunnies and turtles. Even got to see baby owls. There are miles of trails and a board walk. Went at 8am on a Saturday and there weren't too many people out but as we were leaving the groups were picking up. There are benches along some of the trails and picnic tables and bathrooms near the entrance.

Common gallinule (moorhen)

American coot

Blue-winged teal

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Spring Hammock Preserve

4.1

(8 reviews)

21.2 km

Spring Hammock is a 1,500 acre preserve on the shore of Lake Jesup. The ecosystem contains hydric…read morehammocks, floodplain forests, pine flatwoods, and upland mixed hardwoods. Two thirds of the preserve is swamp but it also has ancient bald cypress trees, rare cuplet ferns and the largest stand of tulip poplars in Florida. Unfortunately many of these natural wonders are no longer reachable by hiking. The boardwalks in the preserve were built by the School Board for use by the Environmental Studies Center. As they fell into disrepair, the trails were closed off for safety. You used to be able to hike for three miles in the preserve. There is currently no way through it now. Since 2018 The Natural Lands Program has had plans to rebuild the Cypress Boardwalk and a pavilion and add a new rain shelter and wayfinding signage. Here it is 2025 and the boardwalk is still closed although there are signs saying the new trail is coming. According to videos on the internet, ground was broken on the project 8 months ago in cooperation with the county and federal government. The new boardwalk is being paid with a voter approved one penny sales tax addition. While the new boardwalk is being completed there is still one large cypress tree that is still reachable. You can find Lady Liberty in the Big Tree Park portion of Spring Hammock Preserve where there is a short boardwalk to reach the tree.

Not a bad little hiking trail! About 30 minutes out from Orlando, there is a paved biking trail and…read morethen a shaded walking trail through the woods with a small creek running alongside for part of the trail. The walking trail does not loop so you walk to the end and then back, its about 2.3 miles altogether. It is nicely shaded for a majority of the walk but I would recommend a bottle of water and some bug spray on a hot Florida day! Probably not a place I would go out of my way again to visit given there are some other great trails near Orlando but at least its open during the current shut down if you're feeling stir crazy!

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Reflex Gymnastics

(9 reviews)

14.0 km

Fantastic instruction with friendly staff, equipment was much more varied than any other facility…read morein the area, I would definitely recommend especially to parents of beginners!

Love this gym for my daughter, great environment and staff. Camila is especially very attentive and…read moregood with her. Recommend!!

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Orlando Gymnastics

4.3

(23 reviews)

16.6 km

I love this place! I was looking for a space for my daughters to burn their energy during the day…read moreand this was it! I saw they had an open gym for walking kids to 3 years old and it was PERFECT! They have stamp cards where if you buy it for $45, you get 10 sessions, or you pay $5 each time you go. There's a ball pit, beams, a couple of trampolines, ropes, hula hoops, yoga balls, plenty of space to run, and it's really a lot of fun. I always get a nice workout when i take them. They even have a cleanup song to warn kids that open gym is almost over and my daughter needs that. Would highly recommend! We'll be back in August when this open gym resumes!

Great gym that is well organized and has great communication for their competitive team. We are…read morevery pleased with the level of coaching and support offered to our two girls that practice and compete her. We are not as familiar with the recreation classes, but the kids all seem to have fun and enjoy themselves in the various classes they offer.

Open gym area!

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Lake Lorna Doone Park

4.8

(8 reviews)

1.9 km

What a fantastic park! Located just outside of Camping World Stadium, I recently learned that Lake…read moreLorna Doone Park is one of the oldest parks in Orlando. It underwent a major renovation in 2021 where they added lots of amenities and made everything brand new. Even now, 5 years later, everything has been so well maintained and still feels like new. They have a free miniature golf putting course, an awesome splash pad, shaded playgrounds, basketball courts, and a nice nature walking path. You'll also find shaded picnic pavilions and a community garden. My son absolutely loves coming here. The parking lot can be a little tricky to find because my GPS using Google Maps never takes me to the right place. Don't let the location detour you from visiting. It's such a nice park and feels very safe.

Lake Lorna Doone Park is one of the oldest parks in Orlando. It is just north of Camping World…read moreStadium. The neighborhood and the park is named after one of the earliest property owner's daughter's favorite novel, Lorna Doone, written by English author, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869. Lake Lorna Doone was the site of the South's first integrated Little League Baseball game on August 9, 1955. The 1955 little league season was the first after US Supreme Court rulings had eliminated "separate but equal" conditions in the nation's schools and public parks. The Pensacola Jaycees were declared winners of their local district by Little League headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. When local officials would not allow them to play against the all-white teams they instead advanced to the Florida State Tournament which was held at Lake Lorna Doone Park. They ended up losing to host Orlando in the second round, 5-0 but they were welcomed by the hometown crowd and given encouragement. In 2021, 12 acre Lake Lorna Doone Park underwent an $8 million renovation. Added to the park was the nine hole Arnold Palmer Putting Experience, fitness stations, a playground, football fields, basketball courts, a splash pad and the Winnie Palmer Nature Trail. I especially liked the nature trail where I got to see native plants and wildlife. With the upgrades, this park now has all of the amenities needed to inspire a healthy, active lifestyle for the West Lakes families who live in this neighborhood and all who visit.

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Laureate Park Aquatic Center

4.8

(4 reviews)

22.5 km

If you live in this area, you are very lucky to have such an amazing waterpark to attend at no cost…read morebecause this is a public pool that looks so fancy I was wondering first if this was a hotel

Fantastic pool and clean facilities! Perfect for a morning swim or weekend splash. Staff were…read morefriendly and helpful, making it a great place to relax and have fun.

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Primrose Lanes

Hosted a team bonding event here and we were blown away! Amazing service from the Primrose Staff…read moreand very attentive when it came to our food and drink orders. We were also lucky to have arrived on the opening of one of their new offerings... the Skating Rink! The design/decor of this area gives you old school neon skating party vibes and the music definitely sets the vibe. And don't get me started on their karaoke rooms! Bowling has the same type of retro vibe, but updated score boards that let you get a little more interactive (photo avatars) and comfy seating in and adjacent to our lanes. So much to do that I can't wait to go back! (We stayed inside for this event so we didn't get to hang around their outside area much or try the arcade area)

I loved this place, we actually came here by chance just on an adventure day out and about and i'm…read moreso glad we did. It really was the most adorable, most Y2K vibe place that you can find around here. The options are endless here, you cannot be bored lol They had lots of bowling lanes of course which looks super cute & fun with the neon / glow light vibes, there's a karaoke room which you pay hourly for, they have an incredible rollerskating rink area.. and walking into THAT section is gorgeous because they have an entire archway that is made up of colorful skate wheels!! They also have a lot of arcade games and an area that honestly looks like it would be the best spot for game days because it has several TVs on the wall with ample seating and it's homey over there almost like you're at your house... if your house was boujee and you had a cool "man-cave" like that lol We had a few things off the happy hour menu - the mini pretzels were SO good!!! Highly recommend those, FYI. There's 2 bars to choose from and the bartender we had was super friendly, she had had great recommendations and good conversation. 10/10, we loved it here and will be back soon with more people! You do just have to loosen the purse strings a bit if you want to do everything. From looking at the options / deals etc - it looks like Monday evening is probably the best bang for your buck to come!

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Gertrude's Walk - hiking - Updated August 2026

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Cady Way Trail

(31 reviews)

Great trail i will take when cycling, definitely didn't realize Orlando's had so many gems in the…read moreform of trails. I will take this trail when I don't feel like riding laps around Lake Baldwin. Medium populated but never too crowded.

I've been doing a lot of bike riding lately and decided to finally give this one a try since I…read morealways see the over-bridge on Semoran and think how cool it would be to ride across (It is by the way). I parked in the mall plaza that's right across the street from the beginning of the trail on Aloma and Howell rd. There's a lot of nice scenic views especially when you're around the area of Baldwin park but there's also some areas that are not so nice unfortunately and look like they're small parks that have been neglected/abandoned. You see a lot of homeless people around these areas and we saw some people who looked like they were doing some smoking that weren't cigarettes so... My advice is don't come on this trail alone, have a buddy, it's the only reason why I don't give it a solid 5 stars.

Cady Way Trail

4.7

(3 reviews)

Cady Way Trail is picturesque and beautiful. The Advent Health Run 4 Love run/walk takes us through…read moreneighborhoods, Cady Way Trail and back to Ward Park/Showalter Field. Signs of encouragement and amusement were placed along the Cady Way Trial. The trail provides some scenic views of nature and has enough space for walkers, runners, pets and bicyclists alike.

My daughter recently showed me this beautiful trail near her house in Winter Park. Cady Way Trail,…read moreis a 6.5 mile stretch constructed along the abandoned roadbed of the East Florida & Atlantic Railroad and which ran to the former Naval Training Center Orlando. The trail is jointly owned by the Orlando Department of Families, Parks and Recreation and by Orange County Parks and Recreation. I was able to pick up the Cady Way Trail in Winter Park near Cady Way Park and take it down to Lake Baldwin. The paved Cady Way Trail is not open to motorized vehicles making it safe from cars although there was a famous murder of two Winter Park high school students that took place on the trail in 2012. Cady Way Trail travels through the Audubon Park. Baldwin Park, Colonial Town Center, and Coytown neighborhoods of Orlando. Cady Way Trail is actually part of a larger regional trail. From the trail you can connect to the 2.5 mile trail loop that lops around Lake Baldwin as I did or to another 1.5 mile trail around the west side of Lake Susannah. The shady trail is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors by walking, running, and biking.

Winnie Palmer Nature Walk

4.5

(2 reviews)

Winnie Palmer Nature Walk isn't much of a nature walk, but is more the sidewalk around Lake Lorna…read moreDoone Park. Still, Lake Lorna Doone Park is nice enough and the walk around the park and lake was pleasant enough

The Winnie Palmer Nature Walk is located in Lake Lorna Doone Park. The paved trail circles Lake…read moreLorna Doone and you can pick it up the trail from the parking lot of Lorna Doone Park. Along the way you will see native plants and wildlife. There are also interpretive signs about Florida's landscape and nature. The nature walk was named in honor of Winnie Palmer, the wife of golf great Arnold Palmer. The couple set up a foundation to enrich the lives of children. Through a donation by the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, the Winnie Palmer Nature Walk offers monthly programming in partnership with IDEAS For Us. On weekends, IDEAS For Us staff host walking tours of the trails so that children can learn about and appreciate the nature that is around the lake. The walking trail benefits both wildlife and people looking to live a healthier lifestyle through exercise. This nature trail was a great discovery during my recent visit to Orlando. I especially loved watching a common moorhen mother on the lake with her two fuzzy chicks.

Laureate Park Nature Trailhead

3.8

(4 reviews)

Beware of the biting insects especially the yellow flies! my neighbor got a bite and her ankle…read moreswelled to three times normal. Wear protective clothing and insect repellents!!! They will chase you

Awesome quiet trail in the lake Nona area , dotted with small ponds and lakes and wildlife ! This…read moretrail has some seating along the way to get some respite from the heat and sun and water stations as well. We love it !

Lake Ivanhoe Park

(12 reviews)

Lake Ivanhoe Park is extremely walkable and surrounded by great dining spots, which makes it easy…read moreto turn a park visit into a full afternoon out. The views of the lake are beautiful and really set the tone. The play structure is starting to feel a little dated, but it's still solid and well maintained. There's a working water fountain, shaded seating, and accessible swings with handicap seating, which I really appreciate. Overall, a great spot to spend time outside.

Lake Ivanhoe Park offers a great view of downtown Orlando. It is a pleasant park and obviously very…read morepopular with the residents of the surrounding neighborhood. Orlando has a lot of great parks. Probably the one with the highest profile is Lake Eola Park, and while Lake Eola Park is stunning, Lake Ivanhoe Park itself is definitely a great addition to Orlando. I would definitely recommend this particular park.

Harbor Park

(19 reviews)

5 Stars for a park right at the apex of downtown Baldwin Park…read more New Broad Street is lined with restaurants and shops, but the anchor is Harbor Park. It's on one side of Lake Baldwin, with the walking/biking path running right through it. It's got a great grassy area along the water with terraces that make it perfect for picnicking and enjoying the view. I usually see several types of birds while there and more than a few bunnies if the timing is right. There are several groups that use the docks for yoga sessions and other groups that meet here for the start of 5Ks and walking/run groups. The neighborhood also puts on fireworks shows for various holidays and also market stalls on certain days of the month. It's a true community space and serves as a gathering place for so many groups.

This is such a beautiful park that I can't believe I've never explored in the Baldwin Park area! I…read morecame out here over the weekend for a 5K, and I didn't really know what to expect at first but Harbor Park was so tranquil and had some great views during my run! There's a small rock that goes out to the lake so if you're not looking to take a stroll that's a great spot to relax and enjoy a nice view! If you're a walker or jogger which it seems like the majority of people there were, you've got a pretty good stretch of sidewalk and path to use where it doesn't make it feel like you're weaving through people to move forward. I didn't do a full loop, but it does look like there's a section back rowers the woods that is shaded nicely which is great for hot days! I'd love to come back here again on a quiet morning and take a stroll. The locals have it really good here!

Lake Como Park

4.0

(15 reviews)

This park is little more than a little late a few park benches and is the center point of a a…read moredriving circle on Bumby. It is a pleasant enough park, though. I am also confident that it serves this particular neighborhood well enough. It is a great place to take the dogs out for a walk or just to enjoy a pleasant enough afternoon. This is what pretty much brought me here today. Orlando has some great parks and while this particular park can't compete with say the park at Lake Eola, it was never meant to compete with such a park. This park was designed to utilize some land that could not be otherwise used and give it a purpose and a place for a neighborhood to gather in leisure. I would say that this park succeeded in this task.

Lake Como park is a true gem in our community. For those who have the privilege to live close by,…read morethis is a place with multiple personalities. From the early morning, where you can see the sunrise through the trees and reflect on the quiet water, to the early evening where you can stand on the east side of the lake and watch the amazing colors of the sunset in the distance out west. In the middle of the day, just to walk around and get a breath of urban fresh air. There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view, have a picnic, do yoga, or some HIIT, or simply run around the path and try to become a local legend on Strava.

Lake Davis Park