Tampa Bay Bike Trails

Bike Trails in Tampa are so fun and easy. There are not many hills and so it is easier to ride long distances.

My favorite of the bike trails is the PINELLAS TRAIL.

It began as a vision in 1983. A man whose son was killed while riding his bike, helped form the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organizations Bicycle Advisory Committee, consisting of bicycle enthusiasts. The committee, in conjunction with the Pedestrian Safety Committee, wanted a safe place to enjoy bicycle riding, strolling or jogging. The county had a separate problem - what to do with a 34-mile corridor of abandoned CSX railroad right-of-way.

The committees’ dream became a reality in 1990, when the first five-mile section of the Pinellas Trail opened, connecting Taylor Park in Largo to Seminole Park in Seminole. The Trail became immensely popular, with usage figures exceeding all expectations. With the passage of the first Penny for Pinellas one-cent local option sales tax, plans were put into motion to connect the County, from north to south, with a continuous Trail.

An average of 90,000 persons use the bike Trail each month. The Trail is a unique greenway corridor linking some of Pinellas County’s most picturesque parks, scenic coastal areas and residential neighborhoods. While traveling along the Trail, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy deep glades of ancient live oaks trailing Spanish moss, quiet waterways and tidal streams with all varieties of land and water birds. The Trail is a priceless haven in a busy, highly urbanized environment, where Trail-goers safely breeze along. The construction of eight overpasses allow Trail-goers to travel above traffic at busy intersections.

Trail-goers may think they’re miles from civilization along some parts of the Pinellas Trail, but enthusiasts are never far from assistance, should help ever be necessary. The Trail is patrolled by the Pinellas County Security Task Force which represents law enforcement officers from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and various municipal law enforcement agencies. Pinellas County Park Rangers also regularly patrol the Trail, just as they do any county Park, and the Auxiliary Rangers, a legion of volunteers, function as extra eyes and ears for the regular Park Rangers.

Trail amenities include bike racks and refreshment stops along the way provided by the Pinellas Trails, Inc., a not-for-profit citizen's group. The Guide to the Pinellas Trail is a convenient, pocket-size flip chart map for navigating the Trail. The guide details rest stops, service stations, restaurants, pay phones, bike shops, park areas and much more along the entire length of the Trail. The free Guide to the Pinellas Trail is available at the Trail office, area libraries and the Pinellas County Courthouse Information Desk and on the Internet.

The 34-mile long Pinellas Trail offers county residents and visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors that is close to home, close to work and close to where you want to go. Grab your in-line skates, put on your jogging shoes or hop on your bicycle and head to the Pinellas Trail.

Bicyclists are not permitted to wear headphones at any time and under age 16, they must wear a helmet.

Those little green signs along the Trail with the white numbers are station numbers. They are 500 feet apart and you can use them to calculate your distance traveled or report the location of any problems on the Trail. (Station number 0 is at the Trail's start at 34th St. in St. Pete.)

Another wonderful small town and a fun destination is Dunedin. Dunedin is known for great small shops and excellent restaurants. It is right on the water with a park and a marina.

The Suncoast Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide Greenways and Trails System. Opened in 2001, this non-motorized paved trail was developed as part of the Suncoast Parkway.

Paralleling the parkway, the bike trail begins in northern Hillsborough County and proceeds north through Pasco and Hernando counties, traversing suburban, agricultural and natural areas. Throughout the trail, rest/interpretive areas illustrate historical significance, emphasize transitions between ecological communities and identify native species.

Among the trail’s highlights is the segment adjacent to the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. This section crosses various rivers and creeks, including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee, and provides views of beautiful natural communities. The Suncoast Trail will eventually serve as a key regional connector, linking to other projects such as the Good Neighbor Trail, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Pinellas Trail.

At this time the trail is 42 miles long and fairly flat. It is a nice wide trail.

Much of the trail follows the highway.

Trail heads:

- Trailhead at Lutz Lake Fern Road (southern terminus of trail)

From Tampa, take Dale Mabry Highway (CR 597) north to Lutz Lake Fern Road. Take a left (heading west) and continue for approximately 3 miles until you pass under the Suncoast Parkway. Trailhead is on the right.

- Trailhead at State Road 54 (2.45 miles from southern terminus of trail)

From Interstate 75, take Exit 58 to State Road 54. Head east (toward New Port Richey/Land O’ Lakes) on SR 54 until you pass under the Suncoast Parkway. Trailhead entrance is on the right beyond the overpass. From New Port Richey, head east on State Road 54. Look for trailhead entrance on left before passing under Suncoast Parkway.

- Trailhead at Crews Lake Park (15.86 miles from southern terminus of trail)

From Interstate 75, take Exit 59 (new Exit 285) to State Road 52. Head east on SR 52 (away from San Antonio) until you reach Shady Hills Road. Turn right on Shady Hills Road and proceed north until you reach Leeway Road. The Suncoast Trail can be accessed via a trail within the park.

- Trailhead at Anderson Snow Regional Park/Sports Complex (22.45 miles from southern terminus of trail) From Brooksville, take US 41 south to County Line Road. Take a right (heading west) on County Line Road and proceed until you pass the Suncoast Parkway. Anderson Snow Road is just past the parkway on right. Take Anderson Snow Road to the park. The Suncoast Trail can be accessed from within the park.

- Trailhead at State Road 50 (29.6 miles from southern terminus of trail)

From Interstate 75, take Exit 61 (new Exit 301) to US 98/SR 50. Head west toward Brooksville. Continue through Brooksville on SR 50 and proceed until you reach the Suncoast Parkway. Look for the trailhead just past the parkway, south of SR 50 (on your left).

- Northern Terminus Trailhead at US 98 (40 miles from southern Terminus) From the Suncoast Parkway heading north, exit at US 98 (the current last exit) and turn left. Trailhead is less than 1/2 mile on your left.

At 46 miles in length, the WITHLACOOCHEE TRAIL is presently the longest paved rail trail in Florida.

The trail corridor runs through small towns, ranches, and natural areas as it makes its way south from Citrus Springs to Trilby.

The trail traverses a region that offers many other outstanding recreational opportunities. Among the recreational highlights nearby are the unpaved trails in the Croom area of the Withlacoochee State Forest, the Withlacoochee River (South) Canoe Trail, and Fort Cooper State Park. The Withlacoochee Trail will eventually join many other trails in the region, becoming part of the Central Florida Loop.

Like most rail-trails in Florida, the Withlacoochee State Trail is generally flat, offering an easy ride for all skill levels. Mile markers are included on the trail.

Gulf Junction Trailhead South of Dunnellon, off of US 41 on Magenta Drive.

South Citrus Springs Trailhead In Citrus Springs, off of US 41 on South Citrus Springs Blvd.

Ridge Manor Trailhead From Interstate 75, take Exit 61 (new Exit 301) to US 98/50. Head east on US 98/50 approximately one mile to Croom Rital Road. Take a left and proceed to trailhead.

From Brooksville, take US 98/50 east to Croom Rital Road, approximately one mile past the Interstate 75 interchange. Take a left on Croom Rital Road and proceed to trailhead.

Trilby Trailhead Approximately _ mile west of US 301/98, on CR 575 in Trilby.

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