Weekend Backpacker: Orlando

For valuable insider information on hiking in Florida, don't forget the local clubs. The Florida Trail Association's Central Florida Chapter meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Leu Gardens. Besides informative presentations, the club sponsors dozens of hikes and backpacking trips led by competent outdoors enthusiasts. Wilderness Trekkers, a hiking club affiliated with the American Hiking Society, holds group hikes, backpacking trips, and sporadic meetings. The Sierra Club of Central Florida brings together conservation-minded folks for outdoors activities; their meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Leu Gardens.