Find the top rated running trails in Tampa, 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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As a long time user of the Withlacoochee State Trail I noticed the pavement over the past 10 years has been neglected. The paved surface is extremely bumpy and somewhat dangerous especially at the north end of the Trail. Passing other riders is dangerous because you never know when an edge pothole is going to take you out as you pass. In addition, it seems riders on this trail like to spread out making passing with available pavement dangerous. What ever happened to the rule "keep right". I would go somewhere else to ride.
Loved the trail and I rate it as 3.5 stars for a trail to visit. As a roadie and as a local, I would give it 5 stars. Few crossings so you can cruise (speed limit is 15 mph).
Did not see the water fountains every mile, but many restrooms (port-a-johns).
Kind of a boring trail for some.
Did see 3 rabbits, 3 tortoise a black racer snake and I believe 4 scrub jays.
Great urban trail! Smooth surface. No standing water after a rain. I explored the southern end from St. Pete to Clearwater. Wonderful pedestrian bridges over the major roadways made it easy to stay moving. However, the trail crosses quite a bit of traffic in and around Clearwater. Watch out for yourselves! Florida has the highest percentage of cycling deaths, per capita, in the US. I hope to further explore the trail in the future!
I rode this trail several times during late March, and found it to be one of my favorite trails. As others have noted in their reviews, most of the trail from Venice to the northern end is in a typical rural Florida setting. The trail is very flat, which allows you to get your speed up for a good workout. A few of the cross streets have signals to help you cross, but the crossings also have pretty wide open views and you can keep going if no traffic is present.
The trail has several places to rest if needed, and you can also access the Oscar Sherer State Park from the trail. One stop on the northern portion of the trail has an area that you can work on your bike if you need. Some of the best news, is that there are plans for expanding the trail further north to Sarasota, and south towards North Port.
This trail is very peaceful and easy to walk. Mile markers every half mile (though some are obliterated), potable water on both ends of the trail, and a bathroom on the south end. I recommend bringing a cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and a water bottle; you will need them. It takes me about five hours to walk the whole thing, round trip. The only fly in the ointment is that there's a lot of really trashy yards near the trail - mostly old cars and buses that have been sitting and rusting for a long time. I even saw a few cars from the 1950s that have apparently been rotting for decades! That's made up for by the beautiful scenery.
In a nutshell: I recommend this trail for a beginner. It's in a straight line. so you can't get lost, and it's close to civilization besides. It's a good way to see rural Florida, but close enough to civilization so that bears and crocodiles are not a problem.
Well maintained and well used trail. Great for watching fishing birds, dolphin, and other wildlife. We didn't have time to go further into Clearwater to see if it connects to the Pinellis Trail as cited in other descriptions. It definitely gives access to the paths on S. Bayshore Blvd. and the Clearwater East- West Trail for additional mileage. There is some parking at the mid point but we parked at Skyway Park on the east side and had easy access to the trail. There are a couple of nice restaurants with bay side views to celebrate your ride at. Probably Florida's 2nd longest waterside ride after Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
We started at the south at the Polk City trailhead and traveled north. The trail quickly goes into rural and then mostly wild surroundings on both sides of the trail. Looking at the maps, you can see the wildlife management area, but the same type of flora is found earlier in along the trail. A few houses, and views over farming on the east side of the trail.
Make sure to go far enough to get to 'The Bridges' which are near Withla on Google Maps. We saw alligators, snakes and hawks, and a lot of other birds and lizards.
Nice ride, almost straight & flat. The western part near Brooksville is somewhat rough & bumpy--probably been around longer than the newer more easterly section which is very smooth. The connection to the Withlacoochee makes it worth doing especially since it's pretty short. Great start in connecting these trails as in other states such as MN, IA, WI.
Went on a great bike ride today she enjoyed herself and soda die
The past two Novembers my wife and I have joined our best friends at their condo in Dunedin, what an enchanting town, and ridden this trail out of Dunedin both North and South. The trail does have numerous road crossings but bikers are given special consideration and expected by drivers. The trail offers a variety of settings and places to sight see, eat, and just relax. We recommend the Boxcar in Dunedin for a snack, Home Plate On The Trail in Dunedin for a meal, or if you travel to Tarpon Springs the trail runs right by Toulah's restaurant so stop, park your bike and enjoy. We highly recommend this trail.
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