A Fork In The Road, Take It. Hiking The Dog Friendly Florida Trails System.
When You Come To
IN HONOR OF AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY’S National Trails Day, Saturday June 7, we’ve compiled a short list of dog-friendly hiking trails in Florida. If you love hiking, Florida has plenty of beautiful trails in various lengths and terrains.
WHAT TO PACK We recommend checking in with one of your local independ- ent pet retailers such as Pet Food Warehouse in St. Petersburg, Fluffy Puppies in Clearwater, Pet Supplies Plus in Pinellas Park and The Green K9 in Mount Dora. These stores in particular, have stocked up on outdoor gear for dogs and their humans. knowledgeable staff can also make some solid recom- mendations on equipment, supplies, and first aid items to help ensure your hike is safe, smooth and fun.
FITTING AND LOADING A DOG PACK Healthy dogs can help carry the load, in general up to 25 percent of their body weight. Some breeds can carry 10 to 15 percent more, while other breeds aren’t cut out to carry much at all. This is a good topic to discuss with your veterinarian. Again, we’ve found some pretty cool gear, including waterproof doggie back- packs at the aforementioned stores.(See page 26 for the Ultimate Trail Pack.)
OTHER DOG HIKING GEAR CONSIDERATIONS *Dog harness for more difficult trails. *GPS beacons and leashes that fasten to you. *Dog tent or sun shelter. *Waistbelt leash system - for hands free hiking with your dog. *Cooling collars. *Waste Disposal Bags - take plenty.
PRECAUTIONS It’s a good idea to visit your veterinarian to make sure your dog is up-to-date on heartworm, flea and tick medications. It would also be a perfect opportunity to have an overall check-up to make sure your dog is up to the task of hiking. Ask your veterinarian about Giardia and Coccidia, which
are concerns when hiking with dogs. Giardia can be contracted from drinking from lakes, rivers, creeks and puddles. So make sure to pack plenty of fresh drinking water for you and your buddy. Coccidia can be picked up from your dog eating feces. Before heading out, it is a good idea to check on the dog
regulations, which change from time to time. Our best resources have been the following two websites:
FloridaHikes.com/Hikes-With-Dogs has the complete list with full descriptions, directions, maps and coordinates.
HikeWithYourDog.com (click on “Florida” to find a list of dog-friendly trails.) Please maintain complete control of your dog at all times.
Do not let them run off-leash as a safety measure and a courtesy to other hikers. Beware of wildlife and difficult terrain.
50 THE NEW BARKER Dog-Friendly Florida Hiking Trails.
Alderman’s Ford Nature Preserve DURANT 3.3 MILES Part of an extensive cor- ridor of natural lands – more than 10,000 acres worth, east of Tampa – protecting the flow of the Alafia River, Alderman’s Ford Nature Preserve offers a surprising treat for a Central Florida hike: whitewater. The Alafia River flows over limestone boulders as it winds through a deeply eroded channel.
Alfred A. Ring Park GAINESVILLE 1.5 MILES A strip of dense slope forest along Hogtown Creek with old-growth trees and rare wildflowers along Appalachian-style ravines, Gainesville’s first linear park was a gift from a college professor, Alfred A. Ring, and opened in 1990.
Ancient Dunes Trail ST. AUGUSTINE Many footsteps have pressed into the sands of Anastasia Island, from the most ancient peoples who thrived on its bountiful shores, to the Timucua who explored the coastline in their canoes; and the Spanish explorers who claimed this coast for Spain in 1565, establishing what is now the oldest continually occupied European settlement in America: St. Augustine.
Arlington Park JACKSONVILLE 1.1 MILES A breezy walk along the St. Johns River at the Arlington Park. With a 3/4-mile unpaved trail, 1/4-mile accessi- ble trail, and connecting boardwalks along the river, all with plenty of park benches for resting, this trail system is a comfortable excursion for visitors.
www.TheNewBarker.com
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