BIKE
• Ride between Flatwoods, Morris Bridge and Trout Creek on the 4.5-mile Bruce B. Downs path.
• Multi-use paths and greenways provide a break from the traffic congestion. Pick up a map and gear at Dud Thames Bike Shop. 813-839-0410.
• Loop six miles on Flatwoods Park’s paved path or go off road through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. 813-975-2160; www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks.
• Pedal the paved Suncoast Trail more than 30 miles north from Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. www.dot.state.fl.us/turnpikepio/Suncoast/OldStuff/suncoast_parkway_facts.htm.
• Head north for 50 miles of singletrack and off-road bicycle trails in Withlacoochee State Forest. 352-754-6896; www.dep.state.fl.us.
• Dig into the area’s best mountain bike trails at Alafia River State Park. Take Sand Pine trail for an easy ride or Gatorback trail for technical hills. 813-672-5320; www.floridastateparks.org.


RUN
• Jog along the 7-mile Bayshore Boulevard on the shores of Hillsborough Bay. Get tips at the Running Center. 813-908-1960; www.runcenter.com.
• Prepare for the Strawberry Classic 5K and 10K in February. Get together with runners of all abilities at Tampa Bay Runner Club’s weekly runs and activities. www.tampabayrunners.com.
• Run the Courtney Campbell Causeway for an out-and-back, 10-mile route along Tampa Bay.
• Cut 4.5 miles through several area parks on the mostly wooded Clearwater East-West Trail from the Long Center to Cooper’s Bayou.


HIKE/CAMP
• Head out of town for the 6-mile Little Manatee River loop through pine and oak woods. Car camp at modern sites or hike out to primitive sites on the trail. 813-671-5005; www.floridastateparks.org.
• Just outside of town, follow the Dead River for a 2.5-mile hike through wooded lands. Pick up trail shoes at Tampa Bay Outfitters. 813-254-8444.
• Take a break from the beach to wander several nature trails and bird observation areas at Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area.
• Hike the nature trails at the 8,500-acre Brooker Creek Preserve. www.pinellascounty.org/Environment/.
• Spend a weekend camping and exploring the islands and pristine beaches that make up Fort De Soto Park. Get your gear at Venture Outfitters in Clearwater. 727-724-9389; www.ventureoutfitters.biz.
• Backpack for days on the 46-mile Citrus Trail loop in the Withlacoochee State Forest. 352-754-6896; www.dep.state.fl.us.


PADDLE
• Learn to surf the waves or basic maneuvers with kayaks lessons at Mad Paddlers. 813-243-5737; www.madpaddlers.com.
• Paddle the mangrove-canopied kayak trail off Caladesi Island. Then hike the islands three miles of nature trails. 727-469-5918; www.floridastateparks.org.
• Kayak central Florida’s Weeki Wachee Spring to Rogers Park for an easy 6-mile paddle. 352-597-0360; www.floridacanoe.com.
• For swift moving water, navigate the wooded twists and turns along the Alafia River Canoe Trail. 813-689-8645; www.dep.state.fl.us.
• Canoe the slow moving current of the Upper Manatee River trail. Avoid the need for a shuttle by paddling up and back the 5-mile roundtrip. 941-746-3020; www.dep.state.fl.us.
• Explore the marine wildlife along the North and South Paddling Trails in the Weedon Island Preserve. www.pinellascounty.org.
• Just minutes from downtown, escape to nature with a day-trip down the relaxing Hillsborough River. Arrange canoes, kayaks and shuttle with Canoe Escape. 813-986-2067; www.canoeescape.com.