I don’t know about you guys, but I’m walking every single day during quarantine. Even when the temperatures get in the 90’s I’m still trekking out to keep myself from going completely stir crazy. Whether I am listening to music (usually 90’s era jams or whatever the latest Tik Tok ear-worm is) or a podcast (Office Ladies, How I Built This, and various NPR shows) it’s been good for the mind, body, and fighting off my escalating ice cream intake.

My neighborhood walks are getting a little stale, so while I intend to continue proper social distancing, I wanted some alternatives for getting outside while staying away from others even if a new spot only happens once a week.

There are several resources for parks and walking/bike trails online, so firstly I would suggest checking local government Parks and Recreation websites. I even called some local parks to verify they were still open and what their current practices include. If you find a place that looks interesting and it’s clear it’s a government owned and run park, call and double check!

I compiled a few places I’ve gone, and some that have been recommended to me by my helpful Instagram community.

Remember to keep it clean! Some trails have exercise stations with equipment and it’s not advisable to use these as they could continue the spread of germs.

Also helpful is a website I found that has a large map of the entire state with walking and bike trails. If anything listed below isn’t in your area this is a great resource. Just click HERE.

Cady Way Trail

Submitted by @abetroneharpst

Length: 7.5 miles

Trail end points: Aloma Ave. and Howell Branch Road/Hall Road (Winter Park) and Coy Drive (Orlando)

Helpful map: Here

Bill Fredricks Park

Address: 3401 S. Hiawassee Road Orlando, FL 32835

• Trails (bike/jogging)

• Walking Path (Paved)

• Helpful map: Here

The park is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and there is currently no charge to enter, but this is not open to gatherings of more than ten people.

Tip from the park: Bring lots of drinking water because most of the water fountains are closed, and be aware most of the bathrooms are as well.

Clear Lake Park

Address: 2301 29th St, Orlando, FL 32805

• Trails (bike/jogging)

• Walking Path (Paved)

• Lakefront trail

Cypress Grove Park

Submitted by @rabbitnoir

Address: 290 Holden Ave, Orlando, FL 32839

• Cypress Grove Park Loop Trail is a 1.2 mile

• Currently open for walking only until 8 pm.

• Lakefront views

Demetree Park

Address: 650 Santiago Avenue, Orlando, FL 32807

• The 24.6-acre park with three lakes linked by a system of walks and boardwalks.

Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area

Submitted by: @ambermdowns

Address: 15227 Lake Pickett Rd, Orlando, FL 32820

• Length: 3.2 miles loop

• Terrain: Mostly sand, go keep that in mind if you plan to bike.

Greenwood Urban Wetlands

Address: 1411 Greenwood St, Orlando, FL 32801

• Walking/bike trails and lakefront scenic views.

• Lots of shaded areas.

La Costa Urban Wetlands

Address: 5814 La Costa Dr, Orlando, FL 32807

• Paved walking/biking trails.

• Natural wildlife.

Park of the Americas

Address: 201 Andes Ave, Orlando, FL 32807

• Half-mile-long path through the park.

• Trailhead for Lake Underhill Path.

Orlando Urban Trail

• Runs from Lake Highland through Loch Haven Park, to Mead Garden in Winter Park. Highlights include connections to six lakes, Orlando Cultural Park, and the Gaston Edwards Trail.

• Parking is available in Loch Haven Park (777 E. Princeton Street). On its southern end, you can find parking in nearby Gaston Edwards Park (1236 N. Orange Avenue)

Spring Hammock Preserve

Address: 2985 Osprey Trail, Longwood, FL

• Walking and bike trails.

• Lots of wildlife.

• Streams and hidden ponds with shade.

• Helpful trail map Here.

The Seminole-Wekiva Trail

Submitted by @lovebrittanyrae

Address: 2993 Markham Woods Road, Longwood, FL

• 14 miles long

• The trail runs through the suburbs of Orlando, Altamonte Springs, and Lake Mary.

• Helpful map and trailheads here.

Orlando Southeast Trail (East Orlando)

• Trails (bike/jogging)

• Walking Path (Paved) The trail is approximately thirteen miles long.

• Trailhead parking at Heroes Community Park.

West Orange Trail

Address: Multiple points 501 Crown Point Cross Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787 and 17914 FL-438, Winter Garden, FL 34787

•  20.8 miles of paved Trail from the Orange/Lake County line, the town of Killarney and Oakland, the city of Winter Garden, across U.S. 441, through downtown Apopka to Welch Road. 

• Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

• You can start this trail from many points including Oakland, Winter Garden and Apopka. List of posts HERE.

• Helpful map HERE.

Promoting going outside to exercise in no way should also relate to inappropriate behavior that would go agaisnt all social distancing guidelines at this time. Exercising in groups, meeting up with friends for group exercising, or anything that would continue to spread Covid-19 would not be wise and is not being recommended.