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Latest update: January 2024

Duke Energy Trail... West Florida Biking

Key Part of Eastern Leg of the Pinellas Trail Loop

Duke Energy Trail is part of the emerging Pinellas Trail Loop, a planned 75-mile biking loop from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs and return. The Duke Energy Trail will form most of the eastern segment of the Loop, eventually running from John Chestnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor to the North Bay Trail in St. Petersburg. About 13 miles are now complete, with a total of 22.5 miles projected. The trail mostly utilizes Duke Energy right-of-ways and is an easy ride, but virtually no shade and some large road crossings. (Map and photos below.)

Map link...
Duke Energy Trail

Location: Pinellas County (Palm Harbor to St. Petersburg)
Mileage: 13 miles completed, 22.5 when done
Surface: Paved asphalt, 15' (some narrower sections)
Nearby points of interest: BayCare Ballpark (formerly Spectrum Field), John Chestnut Sr. Park, Courtney Campbell Scenic Highway and Trail

Bike Shops / Rentals:

Chainwheel Drive (rentals, sales, service)
Trek Bicycle Clearwater (sales, service)
Outspokin Bicycle (sales, service)

 Page Summary:

1. Biking on the Duke Energy Trail
2. North section - John Chestnut Park to Enterprise Rd. (7 miles)
3. Middle Section - Enterprise Rd. to Haines Bayshore Rd. (6 miles)
4. South Gap - Haines Bayshore Rd. to North Bay Trail (12 miles)
5. More Information and Resources

Biking the Duke Energy Trail... Comments and Photos

Connecting trails along the way add to biking available: (1) the trail meets Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail, providing a route to Safety Harbor and the Courtney Campbell Trail; (2) it crosses the Druid Road Trail, which provides a route to the Gulf and Clearwater Beach; (3) at the south end, when completed it will meet the North Bay Trail into St. Petersburg. Trailhead parking is not clearly marked, hopefully more signage will be added as the Pinellas Loop is completed.

Here we visit the Duke Energy Trail from North to South

North section - John Chestnut Park to Enterprise Rd. (7 miles)

Formerly the "North Gap," this section extends the Duke Energy Trail from the connection with the Pinellas Trail at John Chestnut Sr. Park to Enterprise Road in Clearwater. This was completed (August 2022) with the exception of a bridge over the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal, scheduled for completion in 2024.

John Chestnut Park to McMullen Booth Rd.

From John Chestnut Park, the trail continues along E. Lake Rd. to McMullen Booth Rd. at Seagull Drive. An extension via a bridge over the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal is in the works.

In the meantime, a temporary route along East Lake Rd. from Boot Ranch Blvd. to the intersection of Tampa Rd. and McMullen Booth Rd. has been mapped out with signage pointing the way. This route runs through a busy section, be very careful. Note: We did not bike the alternate route (1.5 miles), but did note many cyclists simply continuing along McMullen Booth Rd. past Seagull Drive to Tampa Ave. (0.5 mile).

Countryside Blvd. to the Powerline

The trail resumes after the gap/detour at McMullen Booth Rd. and Tampa Ave. and follows the McMullen Booth service road to Countryside Blvd. It follows Countryside one mile to Meadow Wood Dr. There are several residential street crossings in this area, and one large crossing at Curlew Rd. (use the crossing signals). Proceed along Meadow Wood 2/10 mile to the powerline corridor.

Along the Powerline to Enterprise Rd.

The trail follows the powerline past residential areas with two residential road crossings and no shade. In about XX mile is the Countryside Community Park and recreational center complex with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, playing fields, playground. Be very careful crossing SR 580 and Enterprise Rd. (use the crossing signals).

Middle Section - Enterprise Rd. to Haines Bayshore Rd. (6 miles)

Enterprise Rd. to Sunset Pt. Road

A dirt parking lot is at the southeast corner of Enterprise Rd. Then the trail crosses a bridge over busy US 19, and continues along the powerline corridor with no shade. Watch for Duke Energy trucks crossing the trail at the power station. A dirt parking lot is available at Sunset Pt. Road.

Sunset Pt. Road to Old Coachman Road

From Sunset Pt. Road, the trail runs south along the power line to NE Coachman Road. Here, the trail runs roadside to Old Coachman Road, where it crosses a railroad track and meets Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail. The two run together past Northeast Coachman Park (parking, picnic, disk golf course), then they cross Old Coachman Road where they diverge - Ream Wilson goes straight, while Duke Energy Trail goes to the right.

Old Coachman Road to Haines Bayshore Rd.

The trail runs along Old Coachman Road from the intersection with the Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail. Of particular interest through this section is BayCare Ballpark, Philadelphia Phillies spring training) and other Major and Minor League baseball-related facilities. A public parking lot at the Carpenter Complex is available, but parking can be limited when baseball games are in progress. Continuing along Old Coachman Road, be careful crossing Drew St. and Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. - use button to activate the crossing signal. Turn onto Bellair Rd. which passes under US 19, then parallel US 19 for a short distance to Haines Bayshore Road, where the Pinellas Trail South Gap starts, eventually linking to the North Bay Trail in St. Petersburg.

South Gap - Haines Bayshore Rd. to North Bay Trail (12 miles)

• The Duke Energy Trail section runs from Haines Bayshore Rd. south to 126th Ave. N. in Pinellas Park. A short portion has been completed - an underpass at Ulmerton Rd.
• From the end of the Duke Energy Trail, the Pinellas Trail Loop will continue to the North Bay Trail. This includes an existing segment of the Roosevelt Blvd. Trail.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:

Pinellas Trail (a FL Top 10 trail)
Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail
Courtney Campbell Trail
Druid Road Trail
North Bay Trail
See more of the Pinellas Trail Loop
West FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Related Resources:

Pinellas County - Pinellas Trail Guide