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Latest update: January 2024

Pinellas Trail Loop... Regional Trail System, West Florida

65 miles (and growing) in Pinellas County

The Pinellas Trail Loop is a regional trail network providing safe recreational and transportation alternatives in Pinellas County. The loop incorporates the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail (St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs) on its western leg (now 46 miles), and on its eastern leg the Duke Energy Trail (13 miles, 22.5 miles when complete) and the North Bay Trail (6.5 miles). The Pinellas Trail on the west leg is a rail-trail, while to the east the route includes roadside sections and runs through powerline corridors. (Map and biking photos below.)

Map link...
Pinellas Trail Loop

Location: Pinellas County
End Points: St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs and return
Mileage: Western Leg (46 miles); Eastern Leg (19 miles); eventually, 75 miles total
Surface: Paved asphalt, 15' (some narrower sections)
Nearby points of interest: North Anclote Nature Park, John Chestnut Sr. Park, BayCare Ballpark (formerly Spectrum Field), Weedon Island Preserve, Courtney Campbell Causeway

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Many, see links to individual trail pages for details

Support and Advocacy:
Friends of the Pinellas Trail

 Page Summary:

 Biking on the Pinellas Trail Loop

• Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail (36 miles)
  - St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs
• East Lake Extension (9 miles)
  - Tarpon Springs to John Chestnut Sr. Park
• Duke Energy Trail (13 miles)
• Trail Gap (12 miles)
• North Bay Trail (6.5 miles)
• More Information and Resources

Biking on the Pinellas Trail Loop... Comments and Photos

Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail (36 miles)
St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs

The "original" Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs follows the railbed, with the northern section from Dunedin to Tarpon Springs being the most scenic. The multi-use, urban rail trail has hundreds of thousands of monthly users, including bike riders, skateboarders, joggers and hikers. The trail spans multiple towns, linking parks, coastal areas, and residential neighborhoods.

View trail, map and photos

East Lake Extension (9 miles)
Tarpon Springs to John Chestnut Sr. Park

Past Tarpon Springs, the Pinellas Trail turns to the east, leaving the original rail line and running mostly alongside roads with almost no shade. Shortly after turning east, a short but scenic trail spur leads to North Anclote Nature Park - restrooms, playground, picnic table, nature trails, fishing pier, boardwalk, and kayak/canoe launch. Past the Nature Park, the trail goes under U.S. Hwy 19, around a subdivision, along N. Jasmine Ave. and Melon St. before emerging onto Keystone Road (5 miles). It continues along Keystone Road to East Lake Road where it splits - south on East Lake Rd. as part of the Pinellas Trail Loop, and east on the Tri-County Trail as part of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail.

The trail continues south along East Lake Road about 4 miles to John Chestnut Sr. Park, where it meets the Duke Energy Trail. The trail is separated from the road by a wide median, but there are some road crossings, so keep alert.

Tarpon Springs to East Lake Road

Starting eastward turn

Crossing Live Oak Rd. (left to sponge docks)

Turn-off to North Anclote Nature Park

North Anclote River basin

To underpass at US 19

Along Melon St.

Turnoff onto Keystone Rd.

Along Keystone Rd.

Along Keystone Rd.

Intersection, East Lake Road

Keystone Rd. to John Chestnut Sr. Park

Onto East Lake at Keystone Rd.

Along East Lake

 

 

Road crossing

Trail at John Chestnut Sr. Park

 

Entering John Chestnut Sr. Park

John Chestnut Sr. Park

John Chestnut Sr. Park at 255 acres is a real gem in Palm Harbor - parking, restrooms, picnic, playgrounds, playing fields, dog park, observation tower, boat ramp onto Lake Tarpon, and paddling trail. The park roads are bikeable and there are 2.7 miles of walking/hiking trails - we enjoyed the boardwalk along the lake and sunset view. An assortment of wildlife can be seen, including alligators, deer, assorted birds and more. More about John Chestnut Sr. Park

Duke Energy Trail (13 miles)

Duke Energy Trail forms 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 after completion of the Tarpon Outlet Canal Bridge and the "South Gap."

View trail, map and photos

Trail Gap (12 miles)

This section runs from the Good Neighbor Trail at Haines Bayshore Rd. south to the North Bay Trail, about 12 miles.

Update: An underpass has been completed at Ulmerton Rd., and a short portion is complete in St. Petersburg utilizing the existing Roosevelt Blvd. Trail, about 2 miles. We'll provide more details when we've visited this section.

North Bay Trail (6.5 miles)

This existing trail forms the end of the Pinellas Trail Loop east leg, returning to Demens Landing in St. Petersburg and the start of the Pinellas Trail.

View trail, map and photos

More Information and Resources

More Biking:

West FL Region - More trails plus Regional Overview map

Watch a Video:

Riding the Pinellas Trail Loop In Timewarp Speed with our friend Dave at Phonamana

Related Resources:

Pinellas County - Guide to the Pinellas Trail