From cycling through the districts to following a craft beer trail, St. Pete/Clearwater has something for everyone.
You might be forgiven for thinking St. Pete/Clearwater – on Florida’s Gulf Coast – is only famous for its award-winning beaches. And while that might be true, there is so much more to be enjoyed in the Sunshine City and beyond, including some incredible (and varied) trails.
Steve Hayes, President & CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, says: “From sipping some of the best beer Florida has to offer along the aptly named ‘Gulp Coast’, to jumping on a bike and exploring the local communities and districts along the 50-mile Pinellas Trail, there is so much to see and do in St. Pete/Clearwater that following a trail makes perfect sense.”
Steve Hayes and the team at Visit St. Pete/Clearwater have shared their top 5 trails in the area for British visitors to experience.
1. The Gulp Coast
St. Pete/Clearwater is the epicentre of craft beer! Taking on this trail will have you sampling the unique beer and ale creations from over 40 locally owned breweries across the region, with separate trails in the north, south and centre of the destination. Our recommendation? Don’t try and tackle them all at once – you’ll need plenty of time to make your way through the area’s growing list of breweries. Start in the north and work your way to the south, and be sure to try some of the incredible food on offer. Some of the more popular spots include the Dunedin Brewery, 7venth Sun Brewing, and St. Pete Brewing Co.
2. Courtney Campbell Trail
This sunny 9.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle trail runs along the entire southern side of the causeway from Clearwater to Hillsborough County. The best part is the 45’-high bridge with stunning panoramic views of Tampa Bay. But be sure to keep your eyes on the water – you might just spot or dolphin or two along the way!
3. Pinellas Trail
The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a 50-mile recreation trail, expanding from St. Petersburg, all the way north to Tarpon Springs. Created along an abandoned railroad corridor, this trail provides a unique and scenic setting for walking, jogging, biking or even skating – discover the local communities, enjoy nature, and get to know the destination like a local. We recommend planning pitstops in Tarpons Springs, (the sponge capital of the world), then the quaint town of Dunedin, followed by Central Ave in downtown St. Pete.
4. Great Florida Birding Trail
This 2,000-mile trail is designed to conserve and enhance Florida’s bird habitat, with almost 530 different bird species to spot. Head to Caladesi Island State Park for a special bird watching adventure. The untouched island will see you hiking a 3-mile nature trail, spotting migratory songbirds like Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Magnolia Warbler and Swainson’s Thrush along the way. Finish off your experience with a dip in the warm gulf waters and keep a look out for the sea life – fish, crabs, stingrays, and dolphins!
5. E-Bike Trail
Taking in the sights on foot can become exhausting in the Florida heat, so what better way to see the sights than on electric bike? With a variety of routes, whether that’s a ride through downtown St. Pete taking in the epic urban mural art, or along the destination’s award-winning beaches – it’s certainly an experience you won’t want to miss! If you’d rather be escorted along the way, try St. Pete Biking Tours for a guided trip that suits your travel tastes.
Now you’re armed with the best tips for discovering St. Pete/Clearwater’s variety of trails keeping beer lovers, nature enthusiasts and fitness junkies happy, what are you waiting for? Easily accessible with British Airways offering daily flights between London and Tampa (30 minutes to Clearwater), and Virgin Atlantic offering daily flights from London to Tampa from November, your next holiday could be closer than you think!
To start your planning your trip, visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.
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About Visit St. Pete/Clearwater:
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) is the official destination marketing organisation of Pinellas County in Florida and covers 24 municipalities in the area. The region is located on the peninsula on Florida’s west coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east.
The area offers 35 miles of award-winning white-sandy beaches, exotic nature trails, culture and arts. It is home to independent restaurants, boutique shops and a unique craft beer trail running from Tarpon Springs to Treasure Island showcasing 40+ local breweries’ fresh artisanal beer. Both Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach have consistently been listed among the top 5 beaches in America, in the annual TripAdvisor Readers’ Choice Awards.
Boasting the largest collection of Dali artwork outside of Spain in the Dali Museum, the county has a significant art scene, with walking mural tours, regular exhibitions and the impressive Chihuly Collection of hand-blown glass sculptures.
The destination is renowned for sunshine and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest run of sunshine days, a massive 768.
