A Hiking, Paddling Itinerary in Hernando County

Get Up and Go Kayaking on Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville-Weeki Wachee

By Kevin and Amanda Mims

Florida’s Adventure Coast is known for its incredible paddling and hiking destinations, but you don’t have to plan a long trip to get a taste of both. Start with breakfast at a local favorite eatery followed by a morning hike and end the day with a sunset kayaking tour.

Here’s your itinerary for a full yet leisurely day of outdoor adventure on Florida’s Adventure Coast…

Breakfast at The Breakfast Station

Start your day at The Breakfast Station in Spring Hill. This train-themed restaurant offers all the classic breakfast foods plus more unique dishes, including cinnamon swirl pancakes and “crunch toast”: crunchy, deep fried French toast.

Hiking at Weekiwachee Preserve

After fueling up with breakfast, head to Weekiwachee Preserve, a truly serene location with shimmering, emerald-colored lakes owing to its history as a former limerock quarry. Hike a nearly six-mile loop around these lakes, among limestone boulders and grasses, and see the animals and birds that live here, including ducks and wading birds, tortoises, and armadillos. In the wooded areas live Florida black bears, which are shy animals and seldom seen.

Silver Dolphin Restaurant: More Than Just a Place to Dine

Lunch at Silver Dolphin Restaurant & Country Store

When you’re ready for lunch, head to the Silver Dolphin Restaurant & Country Store adjacent to the preserve in Hernando Beach. Dine indoors or outside in the lush garden overlooking the canal, where you can take in the scenery, relax, and feed the turtles. Try the Southern fried pickles as an appetizer and their famous blackened North Atlantic white flaky haddock sandwich.

See mural art in Hernando Beach and Spring Hill

After lunch, it’s time to check out local art along the Adventure Coast’s Coastal Arts Tour, which features colorful murals and other artwork along a 16-mile stretch between Spring Hill and Hernando Beach.

Grab a drink at Marker 48 Brewing

Before moving on to the sunset paddle, relax for a bit at Marker 48 Brewing, Hernando County’s first craft brewery, which offers seasonal beers and has a beer garden with games and entertainment. Try a tasting flight and a snack before heading to the Weeki Wachee.

Sunset paddle on the Weeki Wachee River

Head to Mary’s Fish Camp to your guides from Get Up And Go Kayaking, who will take you out on a clear kayak to explore the Weeki Wachee River for a few hours as night draws nearer. You’ll listen to the sounds of the river and watch for dolphins and turtles as the colors of the sky change in a mixture of pinks, reds, and oranges—an exhilarating experience.

Dinner at Brian’s Place

When you’re done on the water, drive to Brian’s Place in Hernando Beach, where chef Brian Alvarez has created a menu of contemporary Italian and Spanish cuisine featuring fresh, local produce and seafood. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail and eat indoors or outdoors on the patio. Try the signature grouper with plantains three ways.

TIME ALLOWANCE

This itinerary takes one day and two nights to complete.

DISTANCE FROM POPULATION CENTERS

Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville-Weeki Wachee (Hernando County) is an hour north of Tampa, 90 minutes west of Orlando, 90 minutes south of Gainesville, and 2.5 hours south of the Florida Welcome Center in Jennings.

WALKING/DRIVING DISTANCE BETWEEN THINGS TO DO

All stops are a 15- to 20-minute drive apart.

WHAT TO BRING

For your time on the trails, wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes for hiking and hiking shoes. For all outdoor activities, you’ll need a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and plenty of drinking water. For kayaking, you’ll need swimwear, water shoes or sandals appropriate for water activities, and towels. Bring cash or a credit card for food and drinks.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is a full but relaxing day of enjoying local food, easy hiking, and leisurely paddling.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Participants must be able to lift themselves out of a kayak and be able to tolerate walking on loose, sandy soil, dirt paths, and some hills, although the loop at Weekiwachee Preserve is generally flat.

ACCESSIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS/INCLUSION HIGHLIGHTS

ADA-accessible portable restrooms are available at Weekiwachee Preserve.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Sunset from a kayak is breathtaking and takes this paddling adventure to a whole new level.

LODGING AND ACCOMMODATIONS

The Captain’s House and Hernando Beach Motel, both in Hernando Beach, are recommended for this itinerary. Alternatively, the Adventure Coast offers a wide variety of places to stay, including familiar national chain hotels that can be found along U.S. 19. There are more than 700 vacation rental houses in the area as well as plenty of camping spots.

CULINARY ADVENTURES

The Silver Dolphin Restaurant & Country Store in Hernando Beach serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has all the classic breakfast favorites to get your day started. Outdoor seating in the lush garden is a bonus. At Brian’s Place in Hernando Beach, chef Brian Alvarez’s menu of contemporary Italian and Spanish will delight the taste buds. To relax with some locally brewed beer and good food, head to Marker 48 Brewing, which offers brewery tours and seasonal beers and has a beer garden with games and entertainment and rotating food trucks.

WHEN TO VISIT AND SEASONAL DIFFERENCES

The hiking loop at Weekiwachee Preserve offers very little shade, so hikes there are most enjoyable during the cooler months or in the mornings.

In the fall, Weekiwachee Preserve is bathed in color as the plumes of the abundant muhly grass turn the landscape pink.

Varying sunset times between summer and winter will affect whether you’ll want to eat before or after paddling. Winter months are less busy for kayaking and availability is better.

SURPRISES/BONUSES

This itinerary is easy to complete physically and can be paired with one of the Adventure Coast’s other itineraries. Consider adding it on at the end of one of the more demanding itineraries as a nice way to wind down.

RULES

Whether hiking or kayaking, be sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and do not approach or pursue wild animals, including manatees. Swimming is not allowed in the lakes at Weekiwachee Preserve.

ADVICE

Don’t forget the bug spray at sunset. Shade is sparse on the hiking loop at Weekiwachee Preserve, plan and dress accordingly and bring lots of drinking water.