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Reported: January 2022

Oldsmar Trail... West Florida Biking

Multi-use Trail Linking 11 City Parks - Waterfront Views

Located at the northern end of Tampa Bay, the City of Oldsmar claims more park space per mile than anywhere else in Florida. Now totaling about 11 miles, the Oldsmar Trail highlights this claim by linking 11 city parks. Best envisioned as a "trail network" rather than as a "point-to-point" trail, most is paved in good condition, with a few short sections of boardwalk, on-road, and unpaved. We were pleasantly surprised with the variety of options. As is often the case, we found biking some sections more enjoyable than others. Therefore, we have color-coded our trail map here to help you find the biking that best suits your taste or style. (Map and photos below.)

Map link - Oldsmar Bike Trail

Location: Northeast Pinellas County
End Points: Various (see map)
Mileage: About 11 miles
Surface: Most paved, some hardpack, some boardwalk
Nearby points of interest: Clearwater beaches, Tampa Bay parks

Bike Shops / Rentals:
BikeSport Bicycle Shop (Oldsmar; sales, service)

 Page Summary:

1. Biking the Oldsmar Trail
2. Section 1 - 5.3 continuous miles, 7 city parks
3. Section 2 - southern extension, Mobbly Beach Park and Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve
4. Section 3 - northern extension, Richard Rogers Park and Cypress Forest Park
5. More Information and Resources

Biking the Oldsmar Trail... Comments and Photos

In 1916, Mr. R.E. Olds (founder of Oldsmobile) purchased 37,541 acres on the northern tip of Tampa Bay, with plans to build a community for working people rather than the wealthy. Today, most of the bayfront is public park, with tree-lined boulevards leading just over 1/2 mile from the bayfront to the commercial districts. As a result of this planning, most of the bike trail today goes through quiet residential neighborhoods, with almost no commercial or through traffic, and with plenty of pleasant water views.

Different segments of the Oldsmar Trail offer different things to do. Some parks feature fitness equipment and sports facilities. Some parks are primarily for nature and wildlife viewing. Some feature both. As a result, there's plenty of variety along the Oldsmar Trail. We visit the trail in three sections.

Section 1: The Longest Continuous Trail Section - 5.3 Miles

This trail section is color-coded in red on the map, with one short on-road section in gray. It runs mostly south and east, passing through the heart of the original Oldsmar. Seven city parks are located along this route, as are the best water views.

From the Oldsmar Sports Complex to Sheffield Park (1.3 miles)

On northwest side of Oldsmar, the paved trail runs from the Oldsmar Sports Complex at Canal Park (free parking, restrooms, picnic, playground, sporting facilities, BMX track) to Curlew Road and down a ramp to the Curlew Road Trailhead (free but limited parking, unpaved, no facilities). The trail goes under Curlew Rd. and then runs beside the Lake Tarpon Outflow Canal, about 8/10 mile to Sheffield Park.

Sheffield Park to SR 580 (1.5 miles)

This is a pleasant section of trail through Sheffield Park (free parking, restroom, picnic, sporting facilities, disc golf, dog park) and Harbor Palms Nature Park (nature, boardwalks, fishing dock, fitness equipment). A 0.35 mile on-road section goes through a quiet residential neighborhood and the trail resumes at Moccasin Creek Park (undeveloped; nature, boardwalks). The trail exits onto Forest Lakes Blvd., goes south over a railroad track, and crosses SR 580, the only busy intersection along this part of the trail.

Old Oldsmar - SR 580 to Veterans Park (1.25 miles)

After crossing the intersection at SR 580, the trail parallels St. Petersburg Drive W. on a path off the road with a wide median, then turns south at Oakwood Blvd. (about 4/10 mile) to Shore Drive W. Here it parallels Safety Harbor with scenic views, past R.E. Olds Park (free parking, restrooms, picnic, playground, fishing pier) to Veterans Memorial Park. (free parking, restrooms, picnic, fitness equipment). Side trails run through both parks, with scenic water views.

R.E. Olds Park

R.E. Olds Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veterans Park

Veterans Park