Best Outdoor Trails on the Gulf Coast of Florida

When someone living on Florida’s Suncoast thinks about heading outdoors for biking, rollerblading, running or hiking, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is usually the first place that comes to mind. This trail, which stretches from south Pinellas into Tarpon Springs, offers clean, well maintained paths for just about any sport.

There are also other, lesser known trails for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy in West Central Florida. A few examples appear below. We’d like to know about your favorite local spots. Please add to our list by leaving a comment below.

Suncoast Trail
The Suncoast Trail offers 41.3 miles of paved trails beginning in northern Hillsborough County and heading north through Pasco and Hernando counties. Among the trail highlights is a portion adjacent to the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. This section crosses various rivers and creeks, including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee.

Withlacoochee State Trail
Popular with cyclists, the Withlacoochee State Trail was formerly a railroad track that traversed 46 miles through Citrus County. The trail corridor runs through small towns, ranches and natural areas as it makes its way south from Citrus Springs to Trilby.

Brooker Creek Preserve Hiking Trails
This 8,500-acre wilderness area is located in northeastern Pinellas County and bordered by Pasco County to the north. Its trail system winds over creek crossings and through majestic trees. It’s also a great place to learn about our local ecosystem -- signs throughout the preserve highlight key points of interest.