Hillsborough's annual hiking spree is underway

Driving the news: For the last decade, Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation has held a hiking spree to encourage, and modestly reward, residents who get outside and touch grass.

• This year's spree runs from Nov. 1 to March 31. Residents who register with the county and hike at least eight of 23 trails receive a limited-edition sticker, a medallion, and bragging rights.
• The eligible trails cater to various fitness levels, ranging from short paved trails in neighborhood parks to the rugged terrain of nature preserve trails. They're listed here.

What to know: Seven of the trails are tucked in neighborhood parks and recreation centers across the county; another seven are in conservation parks; six are in nature preserves and three are in state parks.

• The longest is the Savannah Trail at Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve in northeast Hillsborough; the shortest are the Cougar Fitness and Sandhill Fitness trails in Brandon, and Northdale's Owls Fitness Trail.
• People are free to hike on their own, team up with others, or follow along on an organized, guided route.

The bottom line: If ever there were a moment to rack up steps and a sticker, this is it.