
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State
University Press of Florida
2nd Edition
Published on 29. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
456 pages
978-0-8130-8158-8 (ISBN)
Description
Featuring over 1,000 hikes from across Florida, this comprehensive guide to experiencing the state's outdoor landscapes is fully updated in a new edition
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State is the definitive guide to experiencing the Florida outdoors through hiking. Featuring trails in environments as varied as jungle-like forests with aquamarine springs, longleaf pine savannas, grassy prairies, and coastal sand dunes, this book includes over 1,000 hikes from across the state-including portions of the 1,500-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, the state's premier hiking destination-tried and tested by the authors, avid hikers Sandra Friend and Chris Stevens.
This fully updated second edition contains almost double the number of hikes as the first. Organized by cities within regions of the state, it includes detailed featured hikes the authors find particularly outstanding for each city along with many other recommended hikes, including accessible hikes friendly to wheelchairs and slow walkers. From short interpretive nature trails to day hikes of every length to multi-day backpacking trips, this book details opportunities for discovering the more than 80 natural communities that make up Florida's incredible habitat diversity. Complete with overview maps, logistical information, and hike descriptions, this guide is a user-friendly trail companion for beginners and experienced hikers alike.
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State is the definitive guide to experiencing the Florida outdoors through hiking. Featuring trails in environments as varied as jungle-like forests with aquamarine springs, longleaf pine savannas, grassy prairies, and coastal sand dunes, this book includes over 1,000 hikes from across the state-including portions of the 1,500-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, the state's premier hiking destination-tried and tested by the authors, avid hikers Sandra Friend and Chris Stevens.
This fully updated second edition contains almost double the number of hikes as the first. Organized by cities within regions of the state, it includes detailed featured hikes the authors find particularly outstanding for each city along with many other recommended hikes, including accessible hikes friendly to wheelchairs and slow walkers. From short interpretive nature trails to day hikes of every length to multi-day backpacking trips, this book details opportunities for discovering the more than 80 natural communities that make up Florida's incredible habitat diversity. Complete with overview maps, logistical information, and hike descriptions, this guide is a user-friendly trail companion for beginners and experienced hikers alike.
Reviews / Votes
Awards and praise for the first edition:Second Place, Florida Outdoor Writers Association Excellence in Craft Award
"[A] treasure trove of trail trekking. . . . This book will greatly simplify anyone's search for the trail less traveled."-Tampa Tribune
"A trail-by-trail guide to hiking and walking opportunities in Florida. . . . A well-done guide, easy to use and inclusive."-Southeastern Naturalist
"A guidebook that activity leaders will love."-Footprint
"This book is a must for Florida hikers."-Johnny Molloy, author of Backpacking Florida
More details
Series
Edition
Second Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Florida
United States
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
52 illustrations - 6 b/w illus., 46 maps, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
738 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8130-8158-8 (9780813081588)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Sandra Friend | Chris Stevens
Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State, Second Edition
E-Book
05/2026
2nd Edition
University Press of Florida
€19.49
Available for download
Persons
Sandra Friend is an experienced hiker who has logged more than 5,000 miles on foot throughout the state. Friend is the author or coauthor of over 40 books, including Florida Trail Hikes: Top Scenic Destinations on Florida's National Scenic Trail. She has received lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Trail Association and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association.
Chris Stevens is a hiker, contributor to FloridaHikes.com, and cohost of the Florida Madcaps podcast. Friend and Stevens are coauthors of the fifth edition of The Florida Trail Guide.
Chris Stevens is a hiker, contributor to FloridaHikes.com, and cohost of the Florida Madcaps podcast. Friend and Stevens are coauthors of the fifth edition of The Florida Trail Guide.
Content
Introduction
Northwest Florida
North Florida
Central Florida
South Florida
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Authors
Northwest Florida
North Florida
Central Florida
South Florida
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Authors