The Pinellas Trail crosses the whole county without a car

The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail runs roughly fifty miles on a former railroad corridor, from Tarpon Springs at the north end of the county down to St. Petersburg. It is paved, it is separated from traffic for most of its length, and it is one of the better urban rail trails in the country.

It goes where people are

This is what distinguishes it from a trail built through empty land. The corridor passes directly through the middle of Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Largo, Seminole and other communities, which means the trail is a way to get somewhere and not only a place to exercise.

Businesses have oriented themselves toward it. In Dunedin especially, the trail functions as a main pedestrian street.

Overpasses and crossings

Sections of the trail have been upgraded over the years with bridges over major roads, removing the worst of the intersection conflicts. Other crossings are still at grade with signals. The busy road crossings are where the risk is, and drivers turning across the trail do not always look for a cyclist moving at speed.

The loop

Work has continued for years on connecting the corridor into a full loop around the county, adding segments on the east side. Sections open in stages, so a current map is more useful than a remembered one.

Practical notes

Shade is inconsistent. Water and restrooms exist at intervals but not evenly. Riding north to south in the morning puts the sun in a kinder position for much of the year. On weekend mornings the southern sections near St. Petersburg get busy with walkers, runners and families, so a fast training pace belongs earlier or further north.

Cover photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5). Source.