Welcome to Nona’s Natural Wonders, a column designed to take you to some of the parts of the greater Lake Nona community that have been left untouched by developers and highlight some of the best places for each of us to rediscover our personal connection with the great and wonderful world around us.

In all the hustle and bustle of Lake Nona, it can be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of rising buildings, tasty restaurants, and enticing entertainment. So much of what makes the Lake Nona community so unique is the growing metropolis that is gradually coming together before us. Yet, it can be easy to lose track of other important aspects of everyday life, including our connection and commitment to the natural environment.

These days, moments of pure solitude and quiet are so hard to come across. Most of us lead such busy lives and often forget what it means to embrace staying active and being outside in such a beautiful place. We’re so often attached to our tablets, computers, and cellphones that we forget about stepping back and stepping in to places that provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It isn’t always easy to recommit to nature because, so often, it can be more favorable to stay inside in our conditioned air, have access to cold water, and sit around and watch the world go by. The trick is, however, remembering that the world is alive and out there, and all you have to do is take the step to go experience it and do all you can to protect what cannot be given back.

First and foremost, we tackled one of the most well-trekked and beautiful forests in the Lake Nona area: Split Oak Forest, a nature preserve that features a variety of beautiful hiking trails, natural wildlife, and well-kept Floridian flora and fauna. The park has some of the most beautiful views in the area. Within the boundaries of Split Oak, you can find plenty of small lakes and ponds, winding paths, and lots of lush plant life.

Split Oak can be accessed through both the Moss Park entrance and down Narcoossee Road and on to Clapp Simms Duda Road, near the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge (which we will highlight in a later edition). The entrance at Moss Park requires a small parking fee, but the entrance on Clapp Simms Duda is free and gives you immediate access to a map and the trails that wind through the park.

There are a variety of different trails you can take throughout the forest, some being much longer than others. The first time we journeyed out there, we stuck to the smaller trail that looped around the park and brought you back to the entrance. The second time, we tackled the longer trail that takes you from one end of the forest to the other. Each of these is manageable, but make sure that you bring water, as the heat of the Florida summer can often be quite draining.

Keep your eyes open for wildlife. While we were there, we ran into a couple of deer, a variety of squirrels, and plenty of butterflies. It’s definitely worth bringing a good camera to see if you can capture any photos of what you spot along your journey.

One of the best parts about Split Oak is the perfect, quiet nature that you can find while you’re hiking through the forest. It’s hard not to feel completely at ease while you walk through the trails, especially if you hike in the morning just as the new dawn is bursting through the clouds. When the world is just starting its day, I can think of no better place to be waking up than with Mother Nature herself.

So, next time you want to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of daily life or you’re looking for a spot where you can hike in quiet without all the noise and congestion of the city, check out Split Oak Forest and remind yourself just why it is so important to take a break and see Nona’s Natural Wonders every once in a while.