Orlando Sentinel

Explore Florida’s highest point: Lake Wales Ridge

- By Bonnie Gross

Only in Florida would an area 300 feet above sea level be called a “highlands.”

We even have a place called “Sugarloaf Mountain” and it’s 312 feet above sea level — the highest spot on the Florida peninsula.

That “mountain” is part of a very special area, the Lake Wales Ridge.

Located at the geographic center of Florida, it is like a spine up the middle of the state. It’s a 150-mile-long stretch of higher ground extending from Clermont on the north to Lake Placid on the south.

The Central Highlands are worth visiting for some of the most beautiful rolling hills, forests, streams and quaint small towns Florida has to offer. And it’s all within two or three hours of urban South Florida, Tampa and Orlando.

Environmen­tally, it is unique. Several million years ago, when most of Florida was under water, the ridge was an island where plants and animals continued to evolve in isolation. (Someday, if sea levels rise, it again will be the part of Florida that pokes out of the sea.)

Some of those ancient plants are still found in the Lake Wales Ridge area, and that’s why there are 40 species of endangered and threatened plants and animals that survive in the dry, sandy terrain.

For those who want to explore the Lake Wales Ridge, there are many parks and preserves. It is a terrific place to hike, kayak, canoe, camp and enjoy small towns with an Old Florida atmosphere.

Here are some highlights of the region: side of the ridge, and the Nature Conservanc­y preserves it because it holds “one of the highest concentrat­ions of threatened and endangered plants and animals in the country.” Located about five miles north of Frostproof, Tiger Creek Preserve is 4,869 acres with about 10 miles of trails. There are no restrooms, water stations or picnic tables, but trails are wellmarked. Admission is free.

If you go: Tiger Creek Preserve, 674 Pfundstein Road, Babson Park; 863-635-7506

Old-growth live oaks dripping with air plants and Spanish moss dominate the landscape throughout much of the 9,000-acre Highlands Hammock State Park, one of Florida’s original state parks developed by the Civilian Conservati­on Corps during the Great Depression. The park has a good loop for bicycling, many hiking trails, a CCC museum, tram tours and a great campground.

If you go: Highland Hammocks State Park, 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring; 863-386-6094.

Highlands Hammock’s sister park, Lake June-inWinter Scrub State Park, is a 20-minute drive away. Additional hiking opportunit­ies are available, although these trails are not as shaded as those in Highlands Hammocks. In fact, they call the lake’s sand scrub habitat “Florida’s desert,” and not without cause. In addition to trails, you can carry your kayak or canoe lakeside and enjoy excellent fishing or just a pleasant paddle. Outside the park, there are several public boat ramps.

If you go: Lake June-inWinter Scrub State Park, Daffodil Road, Lake Placid; 863-386-6094.

This big park is full of history and wildlife. It has 13 miles of hiking trails, birding, kayaking, fishing and camping. It’s home to an entertaini­ng living history exhibit on weekends, when a Cracker cowboy takes up residence at a re-created 1876-era cow camp. Wildlife, from deer to alligators, sandhill cranes and eagles, is abundant. If you go: Lake Kissimmee State Park, 14248 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales; 863-696-1112.

Arbuckle Creek is a wild river through an ancient cypress forest. It is full of wildlife and scenery. The river forms the border of the Avon Park Airforce Range, so it escaped developmen­t and is pristine. The river flows into Lake Arbuckle; there are campsites and a state forest on the shores. A public boat ramp is at 7600 E. Arbuckle Road, Avon Park. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is for explorers — folks who like to find places that aren’t in the guidebooks. Here you can hike for miles in the woods, hear only nature and have a chance to spot wildlife, including bears, bald eagles and endangered scrub jays. Its proximity to the vast and occasional­ly used Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range adds to its remoteness and gives wildlife room to roam. The state forest hugs the west side of Lake Arbuckle. Lake Wales Ridge State Forest also adjoins a great little out-of-the-way county campground on Lake Arbuckle, a lake that’s a favorite among bass fishermen

For informatio­n on Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, call the Florida Forest Service at 863-589-0545.

High atop Iron Mountain (the altitude is a whopping 298 feet above sea level), this place is a Florida treasure on the National Register of Historic Places, with colorful gardens and a beautiful bell tower that plays concerts. It was founded by Edward Bok, a Dutch immigrant, famous author and successful magazine publisher. There is much to see here, from scenic trails to touring the 20-room Mediterran­ean-style Pinewood Estate. Tickets are $14 general admission; $20 with the Pinewood Estate tour.

If you go: Bok Tower Gardens,1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales

Several small towns — Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Lake Wales — sit atop the ridge along U.S. 27. They were settled in the early part of the 20th Century, when men first began exploiting the potential of developing Florida real estate. The country roads around here are scenic, often overlookin­g small lakes, winding through citrus groves and attracting minimal traffic. All that makes the area popular with bicyclists and motorcycli­sts too.

Here are some points of interest: is best known for its racetrack, which hosts the 12 Hours of Sebring, a sports car endurance event that is in mid-March.

is a town of murals, with 50 murals painted on buildings. Nearby, it’s worth stopping at Henscratch Farms and Winery, a funky country winery with free range chickens. On Aug. 11, the winery holds a popular harvest celebratio­n where people help stomp the grapes old-world style.

has a historic downtown, where you can stay in what was the grand hotel of its day: the 1926 Avon Park Hotel Jacaranda. It’s a classic place to dine. Right off Main Street is the Avon Park Depot Museum, with a restored 1948 railroad dining car. Also in Avon Park, visitors gather on rocking chairs and enjoy the legendary orange ice cream at an old-fashioned general store and farmers market, Maxwell Groves, which has been there for 80 years, and it looks it.

There are a variety of lodges and hotels in the towns, from the historic Hotel Jacaranda in Avon Park to a fishing-themed motel, Camp Mack, right outside the entrance to Lake Kissimmee State Park and a dude ranch nearby, Westgate River Ranch.

There are excellent campground­s at Highland Hammocks State Park, Lake Kissimmee State Park and Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

There is an attractive littleknow­n county campground located on the northern end of Lake Arbuckle next to the state forest. It’s close to Tiger Creek Preserve and adjoins the state forest. It has a picnic shelter and tables, restrooms and a boat ramp. The camping sites are widely spaced and shaded, some overlookin­g the lake. Rates for RVs are $23 per night for up to four persons with electric and water. Tents with up to four persons (without electric and water hookup) are $10.

If you go: Lake Arbuckle County Campground, 2600 Lake Arbuckle Road, Frostproof.

Within the state forest, there are several areas designated for primitive camping. You need to bring water and register in advance.

For camping permits, visit the forest office at 851 County Road 630 E., Frostproof; 863-635-8589.

There are primitive campground­s within Avon Park Air Force Range.

 ?? COURTESY OF FLORIDARAM­BLER.COM ?? Tiger Creek Preserve is one of several good hiking locations on the Lake Wales Ridge.
COURTESY OF FLORIDARAM­BLER.COM Tiger Creek Preserve is one of several good hiking locations on the Lake Wales Ridge.

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