Explore the best rated trails in Port Charlotte, FL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Punta Gorda Linear Park and John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail. With more than 11 trails covering 85 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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When you walk, run, skate or bike the nearly 8-mile Cape Haze Pioneer Trail, you're tracing the line that once serviced Florida's early phosphate industry and also moved people, livestock and locally...
Pine Island Bike Path, also known as the Stringfellow Trail for the road it parallels, spans the length of the island on Florida's southwest coast. It begins in St. James City, a residential...
For just over 2 miles, the Punta Gorda Harborwalk follows the beautiful Charlotte Harbor on Florida's west coast. The route is part of the city’s extensive trail network and connects directly to...
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The Legacy Trail has a splendid opening: the Historic Venice Train Depot, a pale sunset orange structure that fits right into the beachy Florida color palette. Situated adjacent to a palm-tree-dotted...
The Venetian Waterway Park Trail follows along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, from the ocean north and somewhat east, past the Venice Airport to north of Venice Avenue. It is flat and often...
You’ll find the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail to be an unexpected surprise in Fort Myers. Although bound by busy streets in all directions, the corridor itself is green and serene. The paved trail...
Linear Park follows the route of the former Florida Southern Railroad (dating back to 1886) through a historical neighborhood of Punta Gorda on Florida’s west coast. Although only a mile long, the...
The Hammock Road Trail parallels its namesake from Highlands Hammock State Park to Lake Jackson, allowing Sebring residents easy access between two of the city's natural treasures. The state park...
The treasures of Sanibel Island, off Florida’s southwest coast, are easily accessible by a connected network of paved shared-use pathways. Although many of the trails parallel the island’s main...
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Punta Gorda's Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) begins on the south side of the city and heads northwest along US 41 (also known as Tamiami Trail). When complete, the trail will stretch 4 miles...
Visitors come to Gasparilla Island for its soothing beaches, upscale eateries, shopping and the history in and around Boca Grande. You, too, can sample these amenities up and down this paved 6-mile...
Pine Island Bike Path, also known as the Stringfellow Trail for the road it parallels, spans the length of the island on Florida's southwest coast. It begins in St. James City, a residential...
The Venetian Waterway Park Trail follows along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, from the ocean north and somewhat east, past the Venice Airport to north of Venice Avenue. It is flat and often...
The Legacy Trail has a splendid opening: the Historic Venice Train Depot, a pale sunset orange structure that fits right into the beachy Florida color palette. Situated adjacent to a palm-tree-dotted...
The Hammock Road Trail parallels its namesake from Highlands Hammock State Park to Lake Jackson, allowing Sebring residents easy access between two of the city's natural treasures. The state park...
Visitors come to Gasparilla Island for its soothing beaches, upscale eateries, shopping and the history in and around Boca Grande. You, too, can sample these amenities up and down this paved 6-mile...
When you walk, run, skate or bike the nearly 8-mile Cape Haze Pioneer Trail, you're tracing the line that once serviced Florida's early phosphate industry and also moved people, livestock and locally...
The treasures of Sanibel Island, off Florida’s southwest coast, are easily accessible by a connected network of paved shared-use pathways. Although many of the trails parallel the island’s main...
Linear Park follows the route of the former Florida Southern Railroad (dating back to 1886) through a historical neighborhood of Punta Gorda on Florida’s west coast. Although only a mile long, the...
For just over 2 miles, the Punta Gorda Harborwalk follows the beautiful Charlotte Harbor on Florida's west coast. The route is part of the city’s extensive trail network and connects directly to...
Punta Gorda's Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) begins on the south side of the city and heads northwest along US 41 (also known as Tamiami Trail). When complete, the trail will stretch 4 miles...
You’ll find the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail to be an unexpected surprise in Fort Myers. Although bound by busy streets in all directions, the corridor itself is green and serene. The paved trail...
The treasures of Sanibel Island, off Florida’s southwest coast, are easily accessible by a connected network of paved shared-use pathways. Although many of the trails parallel the island’s main...
For just over 2 miles, the Punta Gorda Harborwalk follows the beautiful Charlotte Harbor on Florida's west coast. The route is part of the city’s extensive trail network and connects directly to...
Punta Gorda's Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) begins on the south side of the city and heads northwest along US 41 (also known as Tamiami Trail). When complete, the trail will stretch 4 miles...
You’ll find the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail to be an unexpected surprise in Fort Myers. Although bound by busy streets in all directions, the corridor itself is green and serene. The paved trail...
Linear Park follows the route of the former Florida Southern Railroad (dating back to 1886) through a historical neighborhood of Punta Gorda on Florida’s west coast. Although only a mile long, the...
Visitors come to Gasparilla Island for its soothing beaches, upscale eateries, shopping and the history in and around Boca Grande. You, too, can sample these amenities up and down this paved 6-mile...
Pine Island Bike Path, also known as the Stringfellow Trail for the road it parallels, spans the length of the island on Florida's southwest coast. It begins in St. James City, a residential...
The Legacy Trail has a splendid opening: the Historic Venice Train Depot, a pale sunset orange structure that fits right into the beachy Florida color palette. Situated adjacent to a palm-tree-dotted...
The Venetian Waterway Park Trail follows along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, from the ocean north and somewhat east, past the Venice Airport to north of Venice Avenue. It is flat and often...
When you walk, run, skate or bike the nearly 8-mile Cape Haze Pioneer Trail, you're tracing the line that once serviced Florida's early phosphate industry and also moved people, livestock and locally...
The Hammock Road Trail parallels its namesake from Highlands Hammock State Park to Lake Jackson, allowing Sebring residents easy access between two of the city's natural treasures. The state park...
I stumbled upon this trail in March as I was driving around wasting an afternoon while it was raining, and found that I was pleasantly surprised by it when I brought my bike back a few days later. The trail was extremely smooth, with easy crossings at the few streets that you encounter. There are several places to stop and rest if you need. Most of the trail is lined by trees, which helps knock down the wind and provides much needed shade from the hot Florida sun!
One of the things that I look for most in a trail is if I can use the ride as a good workout. The Cape Haze Pioneer Trail most certainly provides that!
There is plenty of parking at a trail head just south of SR 776-Gasparilla Road, that also has restroom facilities.
I rode this trail multiple times during March, and decided that I am not so much of a fan. The trail is wide open next to the waterway, which gives some cool views of boats passing by, but the concrete pavement seams provide a nearly constant pounding in your hands and arms as you are riding. The trail winds south along the waterway from the Venice Depot, and easily connects to the Legacy Trail which is a MUCH better option...in my opinion.
Excellent trail located in a city environment. Wide bike and pedestrian asphalt roadway. Good chance to see a variety of waterfowl along the canal.
Starting at the NW Trailhead Colonial Blvd and Ortiz, there is a three mile section heading west that is completely off road and a very nice canal ride. Two road crossings. At that point I encountered a sign claiming the trail ended. I made my way south on Metro Pkwy in a well marked bike lane turning left (west) on Colonial Blvd for a block before getting on the Yarbrough trail again (TenMile Canal). At Daniels Pkwy there is a section that advises going down the the crossing lane, and since it is a very busy and wide Pkwy, I followed that advise. Back on the canal the trail continues to the technical end at the 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. I continued to ride it back up to my original start for a 19+ mile ride.
Loved the trail and the wildlife and flora along the trail. I chased a two foot long iguana for a short time, until it finally heard me coming up behind.
It's a well maintained trail, and well used. A great ride.
We picked a great 1st time ride for Florida! Legacy Trail was well maintained and such a different scene from the Midwest trails. We rented from Popcycles near top end of trail. Easy 10 minutes on sidewalk to trail head. 2 thumbs up!
Some shade on northern half depending on time of day. Phillips Park about mid island is a good place to park.
We rode from St James to the middle of Pine Island. The trail was just okay. Nice cement sidewalk along side the highway. Not a lot to see. However, beyond the trail in St James we had the best seafood gumbo ever at The Waterfront Inn Restaurant and the Key Lime Pie was to die for!!
After riding the Pinellas Trail with its urban like intersections, this trail was a relief. The Trailhead at the Historic Venice Depot was clean with lots of parking midday on a Wed in Jan. We chose going north on the Legacy due to the wind that was blowing about 15-17 mph versus go south on the water. We were so pleased at the low number of intersections (<5) and few of these had traffic. There were 2 high bridges that provided some exercise going up and some potential air coming down if you are going too fast. The terrain was mainly countryside with few buildings which I enjoy. The trail had plenty of rest stops with shade and rarely did we see one empty. There is no food on this route to buy so pack a lunch or a snack. Maps and signage were present as well. I highly recommend this route, especially if you don’t want an urban feel and like to ride continuously. Slow or fast it’s a good ride for 20 miles up and back. Lunch in Venice was a treat!
Stop at the visitor center as you enter the island to get a map. Free parking and restrooms at the SCCF Park 1300 Periwinkle Way, about a mile from the visitor center. Trails are all in good condition and separated from traffic. There are much more than 24 miles if you do all the trails. The trail is busy along Periwinkle, but then it thins out and you can ride as fast as you want. Bikes can be rented in a number of locations so there are a lot of kids and inexperienced riders, but they usually stay on their side.
First time on this trail and enjoyed everything around me.
This long concrete path links Bokeelia in the north, to St James City in the south of Pine Island.
Yes, it can be somewhat boring, due to lack of buffer landscaping and rest areas along the busy main road, Stringfellow. However, just off the path are some truly unique sights: such as the historically-significant Calusa homeland, Pineland (extinct indigenous peoples of southwest Florida), and beautiful conservation areas, like Galt Preserve.
Off-path side roads are flat, quiet and welcoming for bicyclists, especially beginning north of Harbor Drive-Pineland, keeping west and north. Don't be afraid to venture off the concrete, but bring plenty of drinking water and snacks.
Great photo opps: Bokeelia fishing pier, Pineland Marina pier, Calusa shell mounds, Randall Research Center.
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Note: locally, bicyclists and residents have been asking Lee County, FL to reduce speed on Stringfellow to 45 mph. In the meantime, use caution when crossing Stringfellow Road.
Of interest to mountain bike and dirt riders: numerous dirt-sand roads crisscross Pine Island's many palm plantations. Some, but not all of these roads, are public property. Consult local maps for the best guides, available at Pine Island Library, Russell Road.
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