Calling all hikers to the 21st Annual
Lake Okeechobee Hike

Palms West Monthly
Posted Nov. 5, 2012

The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold its 21st annual Lake Okeechobee Hike during Thanksgiving Week, starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Pahokee Marina.

The total hike, for which there is no charge, is a nine-day, 110-mile trek.

The hike is actually a series of one-day hikes and participants can join or leave the other hikers at any trail head around Lake Okeechobee, on the Herbert Hoover Dike, 35 feet above the surrounding countryside.

The hike is believed to be the longest-running long distance hike in Florida.

Popular hikes include the first day 3.5-mile “Wimp Walk” around Pahokee or the full-day, 12-mile walk to Port Mayaca. Hikers can choose to be shuttled back to the day’s starting point each day.

In recent years, participants completing the entire hike have ranged in age from 9 to 92 years old. Anyone in reasonably good health is welcome.

Campgrounds, motels and meals, are at the hiker’s expense. A highlight of the hike is Thanksgiving dinner at the historic Clewiston Inn.  

For more information, send an email to Paul Cummings at Cummingsps@att.net or call (561) 963-9906.