The Black Bear Wilderness Area trail is a 7.0-mile loop that remains mostly flat throughout. The trail gains only 29 feet of elevation, making it an easy, well-groomed path to follow. Along the way, I encountered a variety of wildlife, from small anoles to giant alligators, and an array of interesting and colorful birds. This trail truly has it all. In addition to the wildlife, there were numerous wildflowers in bloom. Since I hiked in the spring, the temperature was comfortable, and the trail was surprisingly dry. I had read several reviews warning of muddy conditions, but I didn’t encounter any. Perhaps mud is more of an issue during other times of the year.
The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash. I would also consider this hike kid-friendly, as long as your children can handle the mileage. As mentioned, the trail is almost entirely flat, making for easy hiking the whole way. This hike earns a Trekking Wild difficulty rating of medium. I completed this hike while visiting Orlando for a work conference. The trailhead was about 45 minutes from my hotel in Disney World. If you’re in Orlando and looking for a peaceful escape into nature, this hike is a great option.
Matt is a software engineer living in Northwest Montana. He is an avid outdoorsman who spends his free time hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, and fishing.