Tampa Bay / West Central
Tampa Bay & West Central Florida Trails
The Tampa Bay / West Central region is home to some of Florida's most-used and best-connected trail infrastructure. Anchored by the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail in the north -- a 45-mile premier urban rail-trail -- the Legacy Trail corridor in Sarasota, and a cluster of waterfront paths threading through Tampa and Clearwater, this region has something for every rider. It spans Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties and covers everything from bay-side urban greenways to the Intracoastal at Venice.
The standout e-bike access note for this region: Sarasota County explicitly permits ALL classes of e-bikes on the Legacy Trail and Venetian Waterway Park as bicycles (Resolution 2019-234), with a 15 mph limit enforced. By contrast, the City of Tampa restricts e-bikes on some downtown sidewalks and segments, so riders should verify local posted signs for Riverwalk and related paths. The Pinellas Trail treats e-bikes as bicycles countywide. The golden rule: check the managing agency and posted signs before every ride.
Trail information last reviewed: June 2025. E-bike policies change -- always confirm with the managing agency before you ride.
Tampa Bay / West Central Trail Directory
Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail
Nearest City / Access: St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs
Length: ~45 mi (+ Loop)
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Allowed -- Pinellas County treats e-bikes as bicycles
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: Pinellas County
Highlights: Premier urban rail-trail; trail bridges; downtown St. Pete; 1.5M+ users/yr; part of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail
Amenities: Frequent trailheads, restrooms, parking, bike shops along the route
Suncoast Trail
Nearest City / Access: Odessa / Spring Hill
Length: ~42 mi
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Verify -- FDOT/counties; generally allowed as bicycles -- confirm posted signs
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: FDOT / Counties
Highlights: Long north-south connector through Pasco and Hernando counties; links Starkey Wilderness Park and Upper Tampa Bay Trail; part of the Coast-to-Coast Trail
Amenities: Multiple trailheads and parking areas along the corridor
Upper Tampa Bay Trail
Nearest City / Access: Tampa / Odessa
Length: ~7.25--14 mi (gap between sections)
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Verify -- Hillsborough County; confirm with managing agency and posted signs
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: Hillsborough County
Highlights: Canal-side south section; Brooker Creek Preserve to the north; connects to the Suncoast Trail; part of the Coast-to-Coast corridor
Amenities: Trailheads and parking
Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail
Nearest City / Access: Tampa to Clearwater
Length: ~9.5 mi
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Verify -- FDOT/cities; generally allowed -- confirm posted signs
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: FDOT / City of Tampa & Clearwater
Highlights: Spans Old Tampa Bay on a dedicated path; spectacular open-water views; connects to the Ream Wilson Trail and Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail; part of the SUN Trail
Amenities: Beach restrooms and parking at both ends
Tampa Riverwalk
Nearest City / Access: Downtown Tampa
Length: ~2.5 mi
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Verify -- City of Tampa restricts e-bikes on some downtown sidewalks and segments; confirm current signage before riding
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: City of Tampa
Highlights: Scenic Hillsborough River waterfront path through downtown Tampa; connects to the Selmon Greenway and Bayshore Boulevard Trail
Amenities: Public restrooms, seating, nearby parking and transit
Selmon Greenway & Bayshore Blvd Trail
Nearest City / Access: Tampa
Length: Selmon Greenway ~1.7 mi; Bayshore Blvd Trail ~4.5 mi
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Verify -- City of Tampa; confirm current posted rules before riding
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: City of Tampa
Highlights: Selmon Greenway runs beneath the elevated expressway, connecting to Bayshore; Bayshore Boulevard offers one of Florida's most scenic waterfront rides along Hillsborough Bay
Amenities: Street parking, restrooms at nearby parks
Legacy Trail
Nearest City / Access: Sarasota to Venice
Length: ~18.5--23.2 mi
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:ALLOWED -- ALL classes permitted as bicycles (Sarasota County Resolution 2019-234); 15 mph speed limit, enforced. One of Florida's most e-bike-welcoming trails -- all three classes explicitly permitted by county resolution.
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: Sarasota County
Highlights: Former Seaboard rail corridor; 600,000+ users per year; new pedestrian-separated segment added; one of Florida's most-loved and well-maintained rail-trails
Amenities: Multiple trailheads, parking, restrooms along the route
Venetian Waterway Park
Nearest City / Access: Venice
Length: ~9.2 mi
Surface: Paved
E-Bike Access:Allowed as bicycles -- Sarasota County (same policy as Legacy Trail)
Difficulty: Easy
Managing Agency: Sarasota County / City of Venice
Highlights: Runs along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway through Venice; connects directly to the Legacy Trail to the north and Caspersen Beach to the south
Amenities: Street and lot parking at multiple access points
Gear Up for This Ride
These trails are well-paved and family-ready, and a few key gear items make every ride safer and more comfortable. Whether you're heading out on the Pinellas Trail for the day or doing the full Legacy Trail corridor, here's what's worth having.
Helmets
The single most important piece of kit -- for every rider, every age, every ride.
Front & Rear Lights
See and be seen on shared paths, especially at dawn, dusk, or in tree canopy.
A Good Lock
Urban trailheads like the Pinellas Trail and Riverwalk are busy -- protect your investment.
Bell or Horn
A quick ring keeps everyone safe and happy on crowded sections.
Handlebar Mirror
Know what's coming up behind you on long open stretches.
Basic Repair Kit & Pump
Flat tires happen -- be ready to handle one trail-side.
Don't See a Trail We Should Add?
Don't see a trail we should add to this region? Tell us.
We're always expanding the Tampa Bay / West Central directory -- local knowledge and trail corrections are always welcome.