Best Walking Trails near me in Orlando, FL
Looking for the best walking trails in Orlando? The West Orange Trail runs about 22 paved miles through Winter Garden, the Cady Way Trail links east Orlando and Winter Park, and the Lake Eola loop is the classic downtown stroll. For shade and boardwalks, Mead Botanical Garden and Leu Gardens are local favorites.
25 picks ยท Updated October 2026
The ranked list
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- 1
West Orange Trail
Park in Winter Garden
About 22 paved miles from the Lake County line through Oakland and downtown Winter Garden to Apopka. Trail stations have parking and restrooms, so you can walk any stretch and turn back.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 2
Cady Way Trail
Park in Winter Park
A paved trail of about 7.2 miles between east Orlando and Winter Park, with water fountains and sheltered rest stops. It is stroller-friendly and connects to Baldwin Park.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Local favorite
- 3
Little Econ Greenway
Trail in Union Park, Orlando
A 7.4-mile paved greenway along the Little Econ River, with Jay Blanchard Park as its hub. The riverside setting gives you a good chance of spotting wildlife.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Paved trail
- 4
Lake Eola Park
Park in Downtown, Orlando
Downtown's signature walk: a 0.9-mile paved loop around the lake, past the landmark fountain and swan boats. It is open until 11:59pm, and the Sunday farmers market adds a reason to go.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Water
- 5
Lake Underhill Path
Trail in Conway, Orlando
A paved, 12-foot-wide loop of about 1.3 miles around Lake Underhill that links six city parks, with fitness stations and plane views from Orlando Executive Airport. One stretch is walking-only.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Paved trail
- 6
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
Park in Dr. Phillips, Orlando, $
A lakeside city park in Dr. Phillips with paved trails, a fishing pier and picnic areas on Turkey Lake. Entry is $5 per car.
- Walking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- 7
Mead Botanical Garden
Park in Winter Park
A free natural garden with shaded wooded trails, a boardwalk over wetlands and a pond that draws wading birds and turtles. It is one of the best short nature walks close to town.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 8
Harry P. Leu Gardens
Park in Audubon Park, Orlando, $
Botanical garden paths past themed plantings, a large camellia collection that blooms December through March and the historic Leu House. Admission is charged, with several free days a year.
- Walking
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Date idea
- 9
Lake Apopka Loop Trail
Park in Apopka
A trail of about 14.6 miles along the edge of Lake Apopka, starting at Magnolia Park, with lakeside views. It is popular with cyclists and birders.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 10
Kraft Azalea Garden
Park in Winter Park
A small, free lakeside garden on Lake Maitland with cypress-shaded paths and the Exedra monument, a favorite spot for sunset photos.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 11
Lake Baldwin Park
Park in Winter Park
A shady 23-acre park on Lake Baldwin where dogs can run off-leash during open hours, with a sandy shoreline, dock and restrooms.
- Walking
- Dog friendly
- Shaded
- Lake views
- 12
Jay Blanchard Park
Park in Orlando
An 84-acre east Orlando park on the Little Econ Greenway, so you can start a long paved walk from its parking lots, playground and picnic pavilions.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 13
Howell Branch Preserve
Park in Winter Park
A small Winter Park preserve with a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and lookout deck over wetlands, plus a fitness trail. Parking at the entrance is limited.
- Walking
- Boardwalk
- Nature
- Wildlife
- 14
Lake Fairview Park
Park in Fairview Shores, Orlando
A northwest Orlando city park with a boardwalk and observation deck by the boat ramp and a stroll along the Lake Fairview shoreline.
- Walking
- Boardwalk
- Lake views
- Dog friendly
- 15
Johns Lake Conservation Area
Trail in Winter Garden
A county conservation area west of Winter Garden where a trail leads to the Johns Lake shoreline and a bird blind for watching ospreys, kites and limpkins.
- Walking
- Hiking
- Lake views
- Birding
- 16
Dickson Azalea Park
Park in Lake Lawsona, Orlando
A small, shaded city park near downtown with a paved walking path, good for a short and quiet walk.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- 17
Blue Jacket Park
Park in Baldwin Park, Orlando
A 75-acre Baldwin Park city park with a paved walking path, jogging trails and wide lawns, often used for charity walks and 5Ks.
- Walking
- Running
- Paved trail
- Wheelchair accessible
- 18
Shingle Creek Trail
Trail in Orlando
About 3.7 miles of paved trail open in two separate sections in southwest Orlando, with a rest-area shelter and benches on the southern piece.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Paved trail
- 19
Pine Hills Trail
Trail in Pine Hills, Orlando
A paved neighborhood trail of about three miles from Alhambra Drive north to Silver Star Road, with a spur to Barnett Park.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Paved trail
- 20
Innovation Way Trail
Trail in Avalon Park, Orlando
A multi-use path of close to seven miles along Alafaya Trail between Lake Underhill Road and Avalon Park, suited to long, straight walks.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Dog friendly
- 21
Lake Apopka Connector Trail
Trail in Apopka
One of Orange County's newest trails, opened in early 2026, running about 4.5 miles and linking into the West Orange and Lake Apopka Loop trail network.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Equestrian
- 22
Eagle Nest Park
Park in MetroWest, Orlando
A MetroWest park with paved paths, restrooms and regular sightings of herons, storks and osprey. It also serves as a Shingle Creek Trail trailhead.
- Walking
- Paved trail
- Birding
- Wildlife
- 23
Lake Lorna Doone Park
Park in Parramore, Orlando
A 12-acre park west of downtown with a paved walking path, fitness stations and gardens, plus restrooms and a seasonal splash pad.
- Walking
- Paved trail
- Restrooms
- Outdoor
- 24
Horizon West Regional Park
Park in Horizon West, Winter Garden
A large county park in Horizon West with trails for walkers, cyclists and horseback riders, plus a playground and picnic spots.
- Walking
- Biking
- Equestrian
- Outdoor
- 25
Barnett Park
Park in Pine Hills, Orlando
A big county park on West Colonial Drive with room to walk among its fields, plus a dog park and splash playground. The Pine Hills Trail spur connects here.
- Walking
- Free
- Outdoor
- Family
Choosing a walking trail in Orlando
Decide first how far you want to go. For long, flat walks, the paved rail-trails and greenways are best: the West Orange Trail, the Cady Way Trail and the Little Econ Greenway all let you walk out and back as far as you like. For a loop, Lake Eola is just under a mile and Lake Underhill is about 1.3 miles. If you want shade and scenery over distance, Mead Botanical Garden, Leu Gardens and Kraft Azalea Garden are short and pretty. Boardwalk fans should try Mead Garden, Howell Branch Preserve or Lake Fairview Park.
When to walk and what to bring
Orlando summers are hot and humid, and afternoons often bring thunderstorms, so walk early in the morning or near sunset. Many trails and preserves are open sunrise to sunset, while city parks like Lake Eola, Lake Underhill and Blue Jacket Park stay open later in the evening. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat, since paved trails like the West Orange and Cady Way have long sunny stretches. Fall through spring is the most comfortable season. Leu Gardens' camellias bloom December through March, which is a good time for a garden walk.
Parking, restrooms and accessibility
Check where you will park before you go. The West Orange Trail has stations with parking and restrooms at Killarney, Winter Garden, Chapin and Apopka. The Little Econ Greenway has trailhead parking at Jay Blanchard Park and other access points, and Lake Underhill has four trailhead parks. For wheelchair or stroller access, Lake Eola, Lake Baldwin Park, Kraft Azalea Garden, Blue Jacket Park and Howell Branch Preserve are good choices. Bill Frederick Park charges $5 per car, and Leu Gardens charges admission outside its free days, while most of the other trails are free.
About this list
Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.
This page covers 25 walking trails in Orlando. You'll find them in Pine Hills, Union Park, Downtown and Conway, spread across Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden and Apopka.
What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Leashed dogs allowed (6-foot max leash), Class 1 and 2 e-bikes permitted, Picnic areas, Restrooms and drinking fountains and Emergency location markers along the route.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I walk a paved trail in Orlando?
The West Orange Trail, Cady Way Trail and Little Econ Greenway are the longest paved options, at roughly 22, 7.2 and 7.4 miles. For shorter paved loops, try the 0.9-mile path around Lake Eola or the 1.3-mile Lake Underhill Path.
What is the best walking trail in Orlando?
The West Orange Trail is the longest and most popular, with about 22 paved miles through Winter Garden. Closer to downtown, the Lake Eola loop and the Cady Way Trail are local favorites, and Mead Botanical Garden is the pick for a shaded nature walk with a boardwalk.
How long is the walk around Lake Eola?
The paved path around Lake Eola is about 0.9 miles. The park is open daily from 6am to 11:59pm, and you can stop at the fountain, playgrounds or swan boat rentals along the way.
Are there boardwalk trails in Orlando?
Yes. Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park has a boardwalk over wetlands, Howell Branch Preserve has a boardwalk and lookout deck, and Lake Fairview Park has a boardwalk with an observation deck by the boat ramp.
Where can I walk in nature near downtown Orlando?
Mead Botanical Garden and Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park are short drives from downtown, and Harry P. Leu Gardens is in the Audubon Park area. Dickson Azalea Park is a small, shaded city park close to downtown.
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