Hernando Trail
Hot Springs Village
Hernando Trail is the longest trail in Hot Springs Village, running parallel to DeSoto Boulevard for 4.5 miles. It stretches from Carmona Center (west end) to Danville Road Road (east end), with further expansions planned eastward. It is relatively easy hike, but does have a few good climbs. In summer it seems like deep woods, even though only yards away from a main road.
Planning notes:
This is primarily a Saturday hike, but is now long enough that a round trip makes a credible Thursday hike, perhaps as a local during overnight, a weather substitute, or in hot weather.
The trail is being extended; with future expansion plans (2006 - 08). Ultimately, it will extend from Carmona to Ponce deLeon Road (East crossing) for a total of approximately eight miles.
Access Notes:
West end: Use Cortez Pavilion; lots of parking and port-a-potty. Adds 1/4 mile to trailhead.
Danville Road. Small parking lot (5 - 6 cars) at trailhead, just across bridge from Ponce center.
Intermediate access points at road crossings, have room for one or two cars only: Fresno, Minorca, Viajero. Intermeditat access points with parking: POA Admin Building and Good Samaritan Campus.
For additional info:
HSV POA Trails Brochure (available at most POA locations).
HSV POA Trails web site: http://www.hsvpoa.org/Trails.htm
Jim Gifford

Recent Hikes:

    Jan 7, 2006          Leader:  Becky Gifford       23 Hikers    OMH Saturday
            Route:  Cortez pavilion to Viajerro Drive (current end of trail) and (optional) return
            9.0 miles          Difficulty Rating  2       Scenic Rating  2
            Becky led hike; Jim set pace. Hike was advertised as 4.5 miles (one-way), but over half the group did the optional 9 mile round trip.

    May 28, 2005       Leader:  Jim Gifford          30 Hikers       OMH Saturday
            Route:   Good samaritan to East end (Minorca); back to West end (Carmona)
            4.5 miles       Difficulty Rating  1         Scenic Rating  2
            Good crowd for this late-in-season hike; Seven new hikers (a record?).  A portion of the group walked back to starting point for seven-mile hike.
  
    Dec 13, 2003       Leader:  Jim Gifford        14  Hikers           OMH schedule (revised)
            Route:   Good Sam's to Carmona and back
            5.0 miles       Difficulty Rating  1        Scenic Rating  2
            Cold, wet morning. Drizzle at right around freezing. Hike originally scheduled for Goose Pond Mt, but Henry Browder (sched leader) called in sick, and Jim offered alternative.
            Two first time hikers, both joined.
   
    Jun 12, 2003       Leader:  Jim Gifford       7  Hikers          OMH schedule (revised)
            Route:    Round trip: Good Sam to Carmona and back
            5.0 miles       Difficulty Rating  1       Scenic Rating  2
             Consolation hike after cancelling the last event of the season due to weather. We intended to go to Lake Sylvia for a 'hike & swim', but cancelled due to threat of severe thunderstorms.

    Jan 5, 2002          Leader:  Carolyn Minson        ?? Hikers       OMH Saturday
            Route:   From POA to Carmona and back
            5.0 miles          Difficulty Rating  1       Scenic Rating  2           
            First use of extended trail; good crowd hiked in light rain.