The Ridge Trails Association of Highlands County is committed to developing a network of biking, hiking and equestrian trails throughout the county. They are also responsible for maintaining these trails.
Highlands County currently has a sizable grid of bikeways, including several routes through Highlands Hammock State Park, as well as routes from 10 to 100 miles long on other scenic roads.
There are also hiking and equestrian trails through Highlands Hammock as well as on the grounds of the Archbold Biological Station, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Avon Park Air Force Range and Royce Preserve. These are all large conservation management areas which encompass thousands of acres.
Completed in the year 2002, the County's Blueways, Greenways, Trails and Bikeways Comprehensive Master Plan plans for expanding and connecting these trails so that they are more accessible to residents and tourists alike.
Excluding the trails mentioned above, nearly 450 miles of trails will have been constructed by the time this project is finished. The 450 miles breaks down into 43 miles of equestrian trails, 30 miles of canoe trails, 195 miles of shared bikeways and 180 miles of separate multi-use trails (for hiking and bicycling).
All these trails will make the physical fitness buffs in central Florida very happy.
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