Florida Gulf Coast Trail

The Florida Gulf Coast Trail, an ongoing project roughly 40 percent complete, connects communities and parks on the west coast of Florida from Pinellas County to Collier County. The more than 150 miles of existing trail include scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico, bustling urban areas, and nature preserves.

Counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier

Trails included: North Bay Trail, Courtney Campbell Trail, Longboat Key Bike Trail, Legacy Trail, Cape Haze Pioneer Trail

Distance: 157 miles currently and approximately 420 miles when complete.

Difficulty: Beginner to advanced, depending on location and duration of trip.

Terrain: The entire trail will be paved when complete.

Features: Plentiful scenic areas including the bridge over Dona Bay in Venice, El Jobean Bridge over Myakka River, and the Ringling Bridge over Sarasota Bay. The Florida Gulf Coast Trail will provide public access to beaches, bays, restaurants, playgrounds, and local parks, including Deer Prairie Creek Preserve.

Points of interest: Historic Venice Train Depot, Oscar Scherer State Park, Koreshan State Park, Lovers Key State Park

Best time of year to visit: October through April for cooler weather.