I rode this trail on Sunday with my niece. We started at Wall Springs on the Pinellas Trail, heading North, took the spur trail at Tarpon Springs to Dixie Highway, crossed Alt 19, and made our way onto the Coastal Anclote Trail.

We rode every bit of the paved trail surfaces, and as much as I like the Pinellas Trail, I think I might like this new trail even more. I plan to do the whole ride again next Saturday or Sunday, but this time I will use my gravel bike and hit all the unpaved trails I can, as well. When I want mileage and exercise, I will take the Pinellas Trail, or make my way onto the Starkey Gap and Starkey Wilderness Trail. But when I want to clear out the mental cobwebs and brighten my day, I will ride this trail.

I highly recommend you spend an a few hours exploring these three parks and this trail system. Canopied paved trails, hard dirt trails, walking paths, parks, the Gulf, elevated observation towers, boardwalks, playgrounds, clean restrooms, picnic tables & kiosks, animals, flower gardens and butterfly gardens, the Coastal Anclote Trail has it all.

Take your time and soak up all the beauty this trail, and these parks have to offer.

Muy hermoso el recorido

If you start at the southern end near the I-275 rest stop, you can combine this with the Pinellas Trail for a 20+ mile out-back ride to downtown St. Petersburg. Beautiful vistas of bay, Skyway Bridge and downtown St. Petersburg. City needs to improve the signage at key intersections, especially at the intersection of Skyway and Bayway trails.

Went here for the first time in March of 2021. I can only talk about the first 12.5 miles going north from the Polk City trailhead.

Overall, the trail itself is in decent shape. It is a bit bumpy from tree roots (only occasionally) and also has some big dips where the ground has settled under the trail. Most of this is in the first few miles.

The trail was relatively well-maintained. No real issues as far as big potholes or trees encroaching.

The first crossing is about 3 miles in and it is a very desolate road, so you can ride for a good ways without stop-and-go. The second one in at about 5 miles needs your full attention. A very fast moving, busy two-lane highway with no flashers to alert motorists that you are crossing.

There are no restrooms at the trailhead, so if you need one before your ride, you're better off to stop at the convenience store before you get there.

Overall, we'd go back but we'll go to the next trailhead up so we can see a different part of the trail.

We road the Clermont to Winter Garden part of the trail. It is one of the most scenic and nicest trails we road in central Florida. Highly recommend it. Start in Clermont, have lunch at the brewery building on the west of Winter Garden and return to Clermont. About 13 miles one way.

Went rollerblading during the sunrise one day of my vacation and was definitely a highlight!

This trail is ideal for race training. If you’re looking to put your head down and pound it for 3-4 hours, then this is your place. If you’re looking for some hills and turns, or if you want sights there are better choices. This is very remote with no water options. Bring your own. We’ll go again but I like the Withalacoochee and Marjorie Carr Trails more.

Don’t miss this one. The views are amazing of the water and birds. It can be windy but you’ll fly going the opposite way. We rode from Clearwater Beach and used connecting trails to ride this one. Even if you just ride end to end and back, it’ll be a great ride. The little rises and not steep at all so don’t be worried at all.

Used this trail on our ride from Clearwater Beach to Tampa and back. It’s so great several trails are connected to make such a great route. Highly recommend.