Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ocala National Forest and the Apalachicola National Forest, particularly the sandy Mun-
son Hills Loop.
With so many paved biking trails, it's hard to choose. To dip among the Panhandle's
sugar-sand beaches, take the 19-mile Timpoochee Trail, which parallels Hwy 30A. In Tal-
lahassee, the 16-mile Tallahassee-St Marks Historic Railroad State Trail shoots you right
to the Gulf. Both paved and off-road trails encircle Lake Okeechobee, which is a great way
to take in the surrounding countryside. Two of the most unforgettable paved trails? Palm
Beach's Lake Trail, aka the 'Trail of Conspicuous Consumption' for all the mansions and
yachts, and the 15-mile Shark Valley Tram Road Trail, which pierces the Everglades'
gator-infested sawgrass river.
For more-involved overland adventures, do the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail,
which mirrors the Keys Hwy for 70 noncontiguous miles, and the urban-and-coastal Pinel-
las Trail, which runs 43 miles from St Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.
In Florida's many beach towns, it's easy to find beach-cruiser-style bicycle rentals.
These heavy-duty vehicles are made for lazy cycling along flat boardwalks - a perfect cas-
ual exercise for travelers who may be a little out of shape.
Wildlife-Watching Resources
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (
www.myfwc.com
)
Audubon of Florida (
www.audubonofflorida.org
)
Great Florida Birding Trail (
www.floridabirdingtrail.com
)
Florida Wildlife Viewing (
www.floridawildlifeviewing.com
)
Fishing
The world may contain seven seas, but there's only one Fishing Capital of the World: Flor-
ida. No, this isn't typically overwrought Floridian hype. Fishing here is the best the US of-
fers, and for variety and abundance, nowhere else on the globe can claim an indisputable
advantage.
In Florida's abundant rivers and lakes, largemouth bass are the main prize. Prime spots,
George for freshwater fishing and to the bay for ocean fishing, plus kayak fishing.
