Find the top rated running trails in Sarasota, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Eastern part of this trail is paradise lost - some really spectacular views - it slowly becomes ugly the farther west you travel. Has some hills (for Florida lol) - it's nice to go in here to the shade after the Courtney Campbell. The only thing lacking is a water fountain and restroom. I'll do this trail over and over and enjoy the views everytime!
The Upper Tampa Bay trail is a 'go to' ride for many reasons. Multiple access points within parks, a 'no-cost' parking option at the Citrus Park Mall (1 block from trail), a nice bike shop along the route across from a Tiki Bar style restaurant that will quench your thirst as desired. The route has contour following a waterway, street flyover to let your shift gears and climb the small hill, and plenty of shade along the route for the warm Tampa days. A good mix of riders, walkers and runners can be found throughout the day. The trail is quiet and safe - highly recommended!
We rode this trail from Clearwater to Tampa. A great trail that hugs the water way (perhaps the international coastal way) The trail offers wonderful scenery of the waterway and the related wildlife as well as the city skylines. There is a bridge that is quite the incline however there was no issue climbing it. Great views from the top of the bridge that has lookouts on each side. The trail is well maintained and is asphalt. This is like the Chicago Lake Front Trail but in my opinion better. Less wind. For sure a commuter trail. After the bridge incline the trail is flat. There is a great display of Pelicans catching their daily meals too. Great trail.
Great Trail. Very smooth asphalt path. 90% of the trail is in the sun. Farm animals visible from trail. It connects to the Suncoast Parkway Trail at Gunn Highway and Suncoast Toll Road. Address for parking lot is: 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Rd. The parking lot is practically right across from Seed World. Parking cost 2 dollars for all day, card or cash accepted. Full trail length is actually about 5 miles from one end to the other. Water is provided along the way but due to thirsty people be sure to bring water with you. I hope you enjoy yourselves!!! ¿¿
Our first time on the trail. We parked at the historic train depot. Hint you can park in the shade under the bridge.
The depot is also an active bus station for SCAT their local bus service. Bathrooms were clean and parking plentiful. There is a boat launch on the water side of the trail. STOP at the information board and check on the construction projects. There are 2 as of April 2018. A new overpass for a busy road, and another trailhead on the trail is closed due to some road construction.
There is one steep overpass over a busy road at the beginning and after that the trail is pretty flat. However the construction project for the second overpass is a slight pain. there are two ways to go around it, we went to the right and saw a sign that said "go to xxx road to cross" well we are not from the area and have no idea which direction or what road they are talking about. We ended up trying to cross right there which is very dangerous. 5 lanes of traffic. On the return trip the trail allowed access to the pedestrian signal which we were able to push - which stopped traffic for an easy crossing. Just had to ride 50 feet in the road with the traffic stopped and cut over the grass. Can do this with hybrid bikes but not for road bikes with skinny tires due to the sand.
The second construction area looked like brand new roads for brand new housing construction, no problem on the bike path but there is no access to the car parking area for the trail head.
We continued all the way to the end of the trail where you can actually see the railroad ties still in the ground, kind of cool. We checked out Culverhouse park, which is actually only a small hardpacked dirt driveway with only a few parking spaces and a portapotty. There is a picnic table under a nice tree and a trash can, but no real bathrooms or water that I could see. There is a community garden that is locked.
Its a good trail, I was expecting more shade, in areas there are huge housing developments going in, so its obviously not as scenic as it was before. Nice signage explaining the history of the area along the way. Good covered rest areas. Lots of signs reminding people of trail courtesy.
A fun day on the trail.
The trail which is wide and in good shape leads directly past Spectrum Field where the Threshers play and in March you can catch Phillies spring training games. Also very convenient for commutes to St. Pete College. The path is broken up by frequent cross streets with adequate signage and a signal at Gulf to Bay, but riding some portions at night would not be advised due to poor or little lighting. More suited for casual rides, walking or skating.
Got on at "The Long Center" on S. Bellair Road. Fun ride to Safety Harbor. You pass the Phillies spring traing facility, so if they are on the practice field there will be a few guys with gloves waiting for a home run. A couple of decent climbs, one is over a 4 lane roadway. Safety Harbor is a beutiful place with a boardway to the bay. We locked our bikes up at the hotel /spa, bike rack outside. There is a GREAT sandwich shop at 3rd & Main, get a seat outside if you can. Great for all levals of ability.
Road this trail with 2 other couples. Started at Gulf to Bay and road towards Tampa. Such a great experience. Very easy for all levels. Do not be frighten by the mid ride bridge, it was constructed to be a easy climb. Whiskey Joe's at the end is a nice reward. Only complaint, does anyone in this state say "on the left!" It is aways a surprise when you get passed. This is the same on ALL the trail we have walked or ridden in Florida in the last two months.
Put this on the bucket list, you won't be disappointed.
We are novice bikers and thoroughly enjoy the fact that we don’t have to interact with traffic. Plenty of benches to take a break. Rest rooms also available. You will be surrounded by nature. Great place to meet interesting people.
Nice walk / run. It was really beautiful. My only complaint is that there were no water stations. Other minor complaint would be not bathroom / port-a-potty. Will definitely go again. May bike ride next time.
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