Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a great place for a walk. The boardwalk runs along either side of the river with Florida animal exhibits along the way to keep the walk interesting. Try walking once slowly looking at the exhibits,and then do a second lap at a brisk pace! You can also walk along the pleasant ¾ mile Pepper Creek Trail that links the parking area off US19 with the main wildlife park. This tree-lined, paved walkway is part of the Florida Birding Trail.

How about the Ybor City Historic Walking Tour? Located in the historic district of Tampa, it is more of an amble than a brisk walk, but it takes a couple of hours. It is good to be outdoors in the fresh air and on the move as you listen to tour guide and local historian, Lonnie Herman, recount the area’s cigar-making history.

Next up is a good long walk or cycle ride – the West Orange Trail. It runs for 22 miles on a former railway track through Winter Park and Apopka. This should really burn some calories, especially if you rent a bicycle from one of the hire points and do the full 44 miles!

Daytona Beach, and its southern sister New Smyrna Beach, offer firm sands for walking beside the ocean. You can drive right onto the beach and park for the whole day for a small fee, then walk as far as you like in the bracing sea air. It’s the perfect antidote to all that rich Holiday food!

Cooter Pond Park at Inverness has a lovely half-mile-long boardwalk around the lake with its gushing fountain. Eventually it joins the cycle/walking rail trail into Wallace Brooks Park beside Henderson Lake. You can go as far as you like along the rail trail before returning the same way to your car. Distractions include squirrels, woodpeckers, alligators, moorhens, egrets, herons, and turtles at various points along the walk.

The Riverwalk at Sanford is easy to access with parking alongside the huge Lake Monroe waterfront. The Riverwalk stretches for just over one mile (two miles if you do the return journey) and has resting places with swinging benches in small gazebos overlooking the lake. Extend the walk by heading into the historic downtown district nearby to admire the 24 points of interest and historic buildings, many of which are on the Register of Historic Places.

Finally, Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando is a great place to walk. Follow the winding paved trail around the lovely Lake Eola with its Art Deco fountain. The trail runs for just over one mile around the 43-acre park and at the end you can reward yourself with refreshments at the outdoor tables of the Relax Grill. Alternatively, take a swan-shaped pedaloe boat out on the lake for a spin for more great exercise!

All these walks are taken from my books of Days Out in Florida which are shown below with links to Amazon.

Checkout my latest collection of Favorite Days Out in Central Florida which were all suggested by residents of The Villages. Available from local bookstores, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and as a downloadable ebook