Hike Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North (8 miles)

Grab your hiking shoes and join us on a wonderful hike through a special piece of nature!

We really want to get up early. Mornings are very pleasant with cooler temperatures plus it is the best time to spot wildlife. You might still be tired but once you are out and about, you will love it!

This time we will hike through the Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve - North (not to be confused with the Alafia River State Park). All trails are well marked and some sections provide plenty of shade. Total distance is about 8 miles.

The Preserve comprises 4,070 acres of the Alafia flood plain located in eastern Hillsborough County. The river is a major tributary of Tampa Bay.

Extensive phosphate mining that occurred decades ago is still evident to this day, mostly in unnatural changes in elevation. Former pit mines are now scenic ravines covered in lush vegetation. The old mining roads are now wonderful hiking trails under canopied trees. Along the way we can check out three primitive camp grounds, named Bobcat, Otter and Hawk.

The Preserve is home to a fair amount of wildlife. Among others, we might encounter gopher tortoises, the eastern indigo snake and alligators.

Our hike will be a casual hike and no race. We will stop for wildlife if we see any, might take occasional pictures and take a couple of breaks during our hike. Please do not schedule anything right after the hike as it might take longer than expected.

Make sure you will carry sufficient water, a snack, bug spray and sun protection.

After our hike, we might end up for brunch in Eggtown (10433 CR39 South, Lithia).

As always, if you have questions or need directions, you can reach us at (917)774-0941.