You don’t have to drive far from Tallahassee to find a good trail. Between wooded greenways, lakefront paths, surprisingly hilly forest trails and an old railroad route all the way to St. Marks, there are plenty of places to get outside around town.

Whether you’re looking for an easy walk, a real hike or somewhere to spend a few hours exploring, here are some Tallahassee-area trails and parks worth checking out.

Apalachee Regional Park

Apalachee Regional Park is a good choice when you want room to walk or run without leaving the Tallahassee area. The park is best known for its cross-country course and wide-open natural setting, making it especially popular with runners.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park has much more to explore than its famous ornamental gardens. The Lake Overstreet portion of the park includes about five miles of shared-use trails through hardwood forests, hills and ravines surrounding the undeveloped Lake Overstreet.

For a shorter outing, the Big Pine and Boy Scout nature trails wind through wooded hillsides overlooking Lake Hall. This is one of our favorite options when you want a scenic walk without committing to an all-day hike.

Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway

Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway gives you a very different Tallahassee hiking experience. The greenway stretches through more than 500 acres of pasture and wooded areas along historic Miccosukee Road, with miles of natural-surface trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

It’s a particularly good choice when you want shade, big oaks and that classic North Florida canopy-road scenery without traveling far from town.

Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park

Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park is one of Tallahassee’s best spots when you want a longer trail day. The park sits along the eastern side of Lake Jackson and offers an extensive network of hiking and multi-use trails through forests and natural areas.

Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. The protected habitat is home to everything from birds and butterflies to deer, turkey and gopher tortoises.

Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail

The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail follows the route of the historic railroad that once connected Tallahassee with the coastal community of St. Marks. The state-managed portion stretches 16 paved miles south to St. Marks, with additional trail extending into Tallahassee.

The mostly level paved route makes this one especially good for walking, running and biking. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can follow it all the way to St. Marks and reward yourself with waterfront views at the end.

Cascades Park

Cascades Park isn’t a wilderness hike, but it’s one of the easiest places to get in a good walk right in the middle of Tallahassee. The park has about 2.3 miles of paved pathways spread across three main trails and loops.

It’s an easy option for walking, jogging or biking, with ponds, green space, the Smokey Hollow Commemoration, Imagination Fountain and other park features along the way.

Lake Talquin State Forest

For something that feels considerably farther from town than it really is, head toward Lake Talquin State Forest. The forest covers more than 20,000 acres across several tracts, with hiking opportunities ranging from easy nature walks to trails with some surprisingly steep North Florida terrain.

Bear Creek Educational Forest is a standout. Its trail system passes through wetlands, sandhills and ravines, with several routes to choose from. The Ravine Trail is a good pick when you want something more challenging, while the paved Living Forest Trail makes for an easier outing.

San Luis Mission Park

San Luis Mission Park offers an easy natural-surface trail and a quiet place to get outside near the center of town.

Don’t confuse the park with nearby Mission San Luis, Tallahassee’s National Historic Landmark and reconstructed Spanish mission. They’re separate destinations, which means you could easily turn a walk into a history day by visiting both.

Bonus: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park

Lafayette Heritage Trail Park deserves a spot on this list, especially if you like combining hiking with wildlife viewing. The natural-surface shared-use trail winds through wooded areas and around Piney Z Lake, where you’ll find fishing piers, water access and plenty of opportunities to spot turtles, birds and the occasional alligator.

The trail system also connects with Tom Brown Park and the J.R. Alford Greenway, so you can turn a relatively short outing into a much longer adventure.

Before You Hit the Trail

North Florida hiking comes with its own set of considerations. Bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months, and don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray. After walking through wooded or grassy areas, it’s also a good idea to check yourself and your pets for ticks.

Trail conditions, hours and access can change, so check current park information before heading out. Then lace up your shoes and go explore — some of Tallahassee’s best scenery is hiding just beyond the parking lot.