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Print Friendly MapPine 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 waterfront community at the island's southern tip.
On its way north, the concrete path passes near the Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve, worth a side trip with hiking trails throughout to explore forests, marshes, and tidal swampland. Further north, Phillips Park lies just west of the trail along Sesame Drive on the opposite side of Stringfellow Road. It offers recreational amenities, such as a playground, athletic facilities, and picnic tables. The trail ends in Bokeelia, on the rural north end of the island, where you'll pass fruit tree orchards and groves of palm trees.
Pine Island is only accessible via Pine Island Road, heading west to the Gulf, via the village of Matlacha. Caution: biking between Matlacha and Pine Island is not advised due to high-speed vehicle traffic in this area.
Parking is available at Phillips Park (5675 Sesame Drive) in Pine Island Center on the north end of the trail. There are accessible parking spaces at this location.
Trail users should carry water and snacks. The path is very flat, but there is no shade. Restrooms are limited, located at some of the conservation areas, in the marinas, and at the public library (10701 Russell Rd, Bokeelia).
The trail is primarily used by the residents who get around the island in their golf carts. For cyclists the trail is flat, straight snd mostly without shade. There are fields and a few tree farms and occasional buildings to look at, but the Gulf or the Inner Coastal cannot be seen. There are lots of intersections in some parts, so watch out for cars and carts.
The Pine Island Bike Trail is not identified on Google maps, thank goodness for TrailLink. But that’s not surprising since the trails primary use is a cart path for the golf carts that many residents use to travel around the island. We parked at the community center on Sesame Road and rode south on the cart path that parallels Stringfellow Road. There are many road intersections as the road is the only north/south artery on the island, fortunately in most cases vehicle drivers were courteous and allowed us to cross in front of them. There really isn’t much to see. The Gulf is out of sight in the west, the inner coastal is out of sight in the east. Fields and palm tree farms and the occasional building and and fumes from vehicles on the road a few feet away.
Twice we have made the drive to Pine Island from Port Charlotte to ride this trail, both times going from pain center north to the end of the trail near Bokeelia. And I the surface is very well-maintained and smooth. Some reviews complain that it’s nothing more than a sidewalk, but it is plenty wide and is an outstanding ride if you just want to log 14 miles. There are enough sites of interest along the way such as a couple of palm tree farms and some fruit farms. We took a safe ride over to the Alden golf course and were greeted by extremely pleasant people as we sat and watched golfers and enjoyed a cold drink at on the patio. The little park in pine center has a couple of shaded picnic tables where we’ve eaten our lunch each time. All in all this is not a spectacular ride but it is a very worthwhile ride.
Parked off of Pine Island Road and only had time to go north or south since it was the end of day near sunset. Decided to go south to St. James. Most of the route was well paved but we had to be alert near most intersections, especially closer to stores near Pine Island Road. Not much to view but the sidewalk was paved the majority of the route. Biked 17 miles there and back. It was a pleasant, easy bike ride.
Started at Pine Island Rd NW and Stringfellow. All-way stop but narrow escape from being hit by a car. Rode south to St.James City. Lots of intersections requiring almost full stop because of obstructing landscape.
My husband and I biked to Bokeelia from Matlacha. It was very nice to see the communities and farmland. We saw a lot of lizards, birds, monstrous crickets, and indecisive turtles along the way. The motorists were considerate of us. Wear sunscreen and a hat/helmet, skin and scalp will get burnt…crispy. Bokeelia is beautiful and there is one public pier near a restaurant, but it’s mostly private property up there and you can’t just get into the water. Did see a lot of sting rays at the public pier though.
If I'm nearby I might ride again but wouldn't go out of my way. Right by busy road. I wouldn't bring my 10yo again though.
Path has been repaired so it is in good condition and mostly smooth. Path parallels busy road but it's nice to have a long stretch separated from traffic. From the community pool it's 7.5 mile to Bokeelia to the north and 9.0 mile to St. James City to the south. Ride to the north was more interesting, passing by numerous nurseries growing a variety of palms and tropical fruit trees. Water view in Bokeelia was short but great!
This is a side walk and it’s mostly in disarray. At some points you can only travel 70 ft before slowing or stopping at driveways. Not recommended
Simple, it’s lame. Nothing to see here on the island. In spots the path is poorly maintained. Take the time and go to Sanibel Island.
But what’s in between is maybe a bit dull. Long path next to main road. Yes it’s nicely paved so a smooth ride but it does not give much scenic views. So like some already suggested wonder off the path a bit for some more scenic views.
After reading other reviews I was a bit hesitant but rode from Matlacha (don’t recommend as road shoulder is pretty narrow). Once on Pine Island I went North to Bookelia and then went the length of the island South to St. James. While not the best trail I’ve been on it was very passable for a road bike with all of it paved. If you think you will see great water views, go somewhere else! Almost all of it is just a wide concrete sidewalk. There is a crossover at one point you have to pay attention to as it is not meant for bicycles, 90 degree angles makes you slow down quick. Covered 38.6 miles total! I will do it again.
Is this a somewhat boring concrete path: yes, agreed! However, if you have a cruiser bike, mountain bike, or any fat tire bike, try leaving the Stringfellow Road bike path, for the quiet, green unpaved side roads that run east and west generally.
Not a lot of shade so I wouldn’t recommend in mid summer but during winter is perfect. We really enjoyed it. We did entire length ended up a bit over 28 miles down and back
This bumpy sidewalk is not even a bike path......what a mess ! Will never even think about going there again. I am an experienced cyclist. How could anyone give this place 4 stars ?
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!!
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.
This is a poor excuse for not providing a decent bike lane on the two lane road that was just re-paved and could easily have included a bike lane on each side. The "bike path" is overgrown and hazardous if you are on a road bike. I used the road and had vehicles blaring horns to move but nowhere to go.
This is A SLOG! Sidewalk along a two lane highway, 50 mph traffic. Few houses. No businesses. No shade no interest. Avoid it if you can.
My husband and I did part of this trail today (him on a mountain bike and pulling my daughter's trailer and me on a cruiser bike). We started at the Winn Dixie and went south for about 5 miles and then turned around and did 6 miles back up past the Winn Dixie to the dairy queen for a treat. While it is true there wasn't as much to look at (the nature preserve appears to be a big field), there is a nice shady section, and one of the feed stores has chickens right next to the fence that my daughter enjoyed watching. And, of course, you can't go wrong with ice cream at the end. The trail is nice and flat and wide, and we had a pretty smooth ride overall. I like that the trail is separated from the road...no distracted drivers drifting over to hit us.
Although the bike path itself was well maintained, we were disappointed that it did not run along the shoreline or through the nature trails. A very busy riad for a Tuesday so you didn't get the nature Effect from the ride.
We rode numerous times between St. James City and Winn Dixie and had a great time. The path is separated from the roadway by a fair amount and is very easy to ride. We rode mountain bikes which are a bit heavy and slower with the knobies.
We started the ride at Phillips park midway on the path
This is a straight concrete path uncrowded
Easy ride along trees and grass lawns
The restaurant at the end faces a beautiful bay
Rode the "best" end of the trail from Pine Island Center, the Winn Dixie parking lot to Bokeelia and return (about 16 miles round trip). Close proximity to the highway which it shares near Bokeelia, makes it a noisy, and pretty unappealing ride. Pretty much straight and lacking shade most of the rude. Would not ride it again.
We started at the Winn-Dixie at about the midpoint, and went south to St. James City. Lots of pubs on the water in the fishing village of St. James City. Then we turned and headed north to Bookeelia. So many paths in Florida are just a ride for miles through palmettos. But this one has a variety of scenery since much of the island is plant nurseries and fishing villages. The path is wide and although there is traffic on the main road nearby, there is not much cross traffic. It makes for an enjoyable 30-mile day ride. Kudos to the people of Pine Island for putting in this recreational trail.
This really shouldn't be called on bike trail. It is a very bumpy sidewalk that runs the length of the island. The best bike for this excursion would be a mountain bike with fat tires. This is definitely not a place to ride a road bike unless you want your fillings knocked out. The trail is generally pleasant running past many nurseries and has a feel of old Florida.
I travel on this path at least 3 times a week.
It is a nice pathway. Not much shade. Flat and well maintained. A lot of places to eat but no rest areas to speak of. This path runs the full length of the Island and is quite loud with traffic a few feet away. A great work out. Everyone you meet are friendly. If you are looking to see wild life, forget it. Over all this is a very nice path to explore.
My wife and I rode the Pine Island Bike Path (Stringfellow Trail) today. Basically the "Trail" is a sidewalk that parallels Stringfellow Road from the towns of Bokeelia and St. James City. Only parking we could find was at the Winn Dixie grocery store located approx midway on the trail. Riding south (from the Winn-Dixie) towards St James City we found the ride to be quite uncomfortable due to problems with the expansion joints on the sidewalk, prepare for several miles of bumpy ride. Not much scenery on the southbound portion of this "trail" other than open pastures and some residential areas. Maybe a good jogging "trail".
The northbound portion (from the Winn-Dixie) was much more comfortable as the sidewalk did not have the sidewalk expansion joint problems, not bumpy. Endless numbers of palm tree farms can be observed on this portion of the trail ending at the north coast of the island. The northbound portion was very enjoyable but would pass on the southbound portion due to the condition of the sidewalk.
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