Please note: There is a gap in the route where it will cross over Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal. The bridge is scheduled for completion in 2024.
Overview
Currently, the Duke Energy Trail is almost 12 miles long and, as its name might suggest, the trail utilizes power line corridors for most of its route.
About the Route
At its northern end, the trail connects to the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail at John Chesnut Sr. Park (2200 East Lake Road South, Palm Harbor). From there, the trail heads south through neighborhoods—passing residences, businesses, restaurants, schools, parks, and more. The route includes a pedestrian overpass of US 19.
Along the way, it also connects with several other trails including the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail, the Weedon Island Trail, and the Druid Road Trail at Druid Road. While running along the northern edge of Northeast Coachman Park (1120 Old Coachman Rd), the trail briefly overlaps with the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail.
Continuing south, the Duke Energy Trail travels along Old Coachman Road for 1 mile until it crosses the Gulf to Bay Boulevard (Route 60) and moves away from roads. The trail crosses Druid Road, where it connects with the Druid Road Trail, and continues south along the power lines until it ends on Belleair Road.
There are restrooms and water fountains at John Chesnut Sr. Park (2200 E Lake Rd S, Palm Harbor), at Countryside Community Park (2640 Sabal Springs Dr, Clearwater), and at Clearwater East Community Library on the St. Petersburg College campus.
Additional restrooms are available at Northeast Coachman Park (1120 Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater) by the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail, and at Spectrum Field (601 N Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater). The McMullen Tennis Complex (1000 Edenville Ave, Clearwater) also has water, restrooms, and parking. Visit the TrailLink map for all options and exact locations.
Connections
Pinellas County is working towards the impressive task of creating a 75-mile chain of trails, known as the Pinellas Trail Loop. The Duke Energy Trail will be an integral 22-mile segment in the loop. At its northern end, it connects to the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail. There is currently a gap between the south end of the Duke Energy Trail and the North Bay Trail, but there is potential for this to be filled in the future. These trails are ADA compliant, paved, smooth, and vary from 12-to-15 feet wide depending on the section of trail.
The Duke Energy Trail runs between the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail at John Chesnut Sr. Park (2200 E Lake Rd S, Palm Harbor), where there is parking, and Belleair Rd (Clearwater).
Parking is available at:
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus system, trolley service, and East Lake Shuttle provide access to the trail.
Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.
Short but fun trail!
Well marked trail. Do have to cross over Drew St and 60, which can be a bit hazardous. Out in the open, no shade. Connects to the Ream Wilson Trail at the ballpark.
I rode this trail yesterday 03/03/24 and it was amazing. I can’t wait to ride it again.
Trail is in good condition and I'm grateful to have a safe alternative to road riding, but do not expect much in terms of scenery. Majority of the ride follows the right of way underneath the power line towers. This is an efficient trail to reach better destinations.
Rode from Dunedin to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, then returned to Duke Energy to loop back to the Pinellas Trail.
Good trail - well marked and wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists- it was really fun exploring these trails during our visit to Tampa - a great way to see Tampa
The trail was opened today, Friday, August 6.
There are some minor details that need some attention, and the gap at Tampa Road that needs a Bicycle / Pedestrian bridge over Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal, but for now, there are safe detours available. One is as follows:
At the corner of the trail and Tampa Road, face North and cross the road at the light, then turn East and cross the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal using the sidewalk at bridge. Beware of glass. As soon as you see Five Guys restaurant on your right in the Booth Ranch Shoppes, look for a little informal footpath behind it under the elevated section of McMullen Booth Road. Follow the footpath it about 300 feet North as it dumps out into a series of connecting parking areas for several residential apartments. Work your way North thru the parking lots and soon enough you will see the trail again, on your right, adjacent to McMullen Booth Road. This will take you all the way to Keystone Road, where it will merge into the Tri-County Trail, and on to a series of trails all the way across Florida. Please be courteous when using this detour, people live here.
I was on the new North section of the trail today and saw a lot of progress.
From Sunset Point Road, I rode the trail all the way to Keystone Road and did not have to divert once. There are still two road crossings that need the signal lighting to be powered and programmed, some areas needing clean-up, signage and marking, but the pavement was all in place, and they were working to cast concrete curbs at key locations.
When I spoke with the contractor's superintendent, he told me that his company had opted to double the construction crew and were also working longer hours, all to complete the job earlier. They hope to have the trail open for use in the next week or two, with a more formal opening a few weeks after that. I had to admit that I had already been using it and he laughed, when he told me he saw me zipping by early this morning. Apparently, I'm not as stealthy as I hoped to be.
There is a gap in the trail at Tampa Road, but I scouted a safe detour, and there are probably others. At the corner of the trail and Tampa Road, face North and cross the road at the light, then turn East and cross the Lake Tarpon Canal using the sidewalk at the short bridge. Beware of glass. As soon as you see Five Guys restaurant on your right in the Booth Ranch Shoppes, look for a little informal footpath behind it under the elevated section of McMullen Booth Road. Follow the footpath for about 300 feet North as it dumps out into a series of connecting parking areas for several residential apartments. Work your way North thru the parking lots and soon enough you will see the trail again, on your right, adjacent to McMullen Booth Road. This will take you all the way to Keystone Road, where it will merge into the Tri-County Trail, and on to a series of trails, all the way across Florida. Also please be friendly, courteous and respectful when using this little workaround. We don’t want to aggravate the good people living here.
Again, thanks to friendly superintendent I spoke with, I also learned that this last gap will soon be awarded as a separate contract. That is because they need a small, elevated structure to literally ‘bridge the gap’, which complicates things a bit.
Finally, this is Florida, and it is hot under those powerlines, especially with no shade in sight. Please bring plenty of water.
This morning, I was on the Southern section of trail, which was open, and saw workers at the North gap installing the lighting system at the intersection the trail has with Countryside Boulevard. The work on the trail has been slow, but steady.
As others have correctly said, this trail is not the prettiest, but a few natural plantings could easily change this. Also, there is no shade under the powerlines, but this trail is great for exercise and commuters. Best of all, the trail acts as a connection to the Pinellas Trail, the Ream Wilson Trail, and other trails, heading North and East allowing the N.E. parts of Pinellas County to connect with the C2C, Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Trail from St. Petersburg all the way to Titusville.
So, all things considered, it beats the heck out of riding alongside cars. Expected completion is scheduled for Fall, 2022.
We’ll-groomed trail but very confusing ( and not we’ll-marked) after you pass under Rt. 19. Watch out for the disc golfers! ¿
This trail is underwhelming compared to other trails in the area. But as a connector trail on a route, or as a commuter trail it is fine. Just not worth going g out of your way for
I can't wait for the Countryside Blvd to Enterprise Rd trail to be completed! I have a back problem and the crooked sidewalks around my neighborhood just kills my back, I have started taking the trail from Enterprise road to Sunset Point road. All together it is about 6 miles round trip. The trail is beautifully constructed and the bridge over Rt 19 is nothing short of amazing. Well done Duke Energy. The portion of the trail that goes past Top-of-the-World golf course is just a wonderful view. I can't golf right now, but seeing everyone out there enjoying themselves gives me hope. The handicap parking and access at the Sunset Point road location is very well done. I have no idea how many people get to use it, but it couldn't be any more well done. I think it is a real tribute to Duke Energy for participating with Pinellas County to bring this community asset to our area. God bless everyone who is involved in these projects.
If you are looking to add millage connects to Reems trail then bayshore trail. Not cover on this section under power lines.
There wasn’t much to see on this trail. Of the beautiful trails in this area this was my least favorite.
Be aware that some signage on the Weam Wilson trail refers to this trail as the ' Duke ' energy 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.
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