Location: northern Hillsborough County (Lutz Lake Fern Rd) north through Pasco County to Hernando County (US Hwy 98) near Tampa, Florida
Trail Length/Surface: (as of 01/04) 40 miles is completed of non-motorized paved trail
Trail heads:
- Trailhead at Lutz Lake Fern Road (southern terminus of trail)
From Tampa, take Dale Mabry Highway (CR 597) north to Lutz Lake Fern Road. Take a left (heading west) and continue for approximately 3 miles until you pass under the Suncoast Parkway. Trailhead is on the right.
- Trailhead at State Road 54 (2.45 miles from southern terminus of trail)
From Interstate 75, take Exit 58 to State Road 54. Head east (toward New Port Richey/Land O’ Lakes) on SR 54 until you pass under the Suncoast Parkway. Trailhead entrance is on the right beyond the overpass.
From New Port Richey, head east on State Road 54. Look for trailhead entrance on left before passing under Suncoast Parkway.
- Trailhead at Crews Lake Park (15.86 miles from southern terminus of trail)
From Interstate 75, take Exit 59 (new Exit 285) to State Road 52. Head east on SR 52 (away from San Antonio) until you reach Shady Hills Road. Turn right on Shady Hills Road and proceed north until you reach Leeway Road. The Suncoast Trail can be accessed via a trail within the park.
- Trailhead at Anderson Snow Regional Park/Sports Complex (22.45 miles from southern terminus of trail) From Brooksville, take US 41 south to County Line Road. Take a right (heading west) on County Line Road and proceed until you pass the Suncoast Parkway. Anderson Snow Road is just past the parkway on right. Take Anderson Snow Road to the park. The Suncoast Trail can be accessed from within the park.
- Trailhead at State Road 50 (29.6 miles from southern terminus of trail)
From Interstate 75, take Exit 61 (new Exit 301) to US 98/SR 50. Head west toward Brooksville. Continue through Brooksville on SR 50 and proceed until you reach the Suncoast Parkway. Look for the trailhead just past the parkway, south of SR 50 (on your left).
- Northern Terminus Trailhead at US 98 (40 miles from southern Terminus) From the Suncoast Parkway heading north, exit at US 98 (the current last exit) and turn left. Trailhead is less than 1/2 mile on your left.
Activities: Walking, jogging, picnic areas, biking, rollerblading.
Facilities: Port-a-poties at most trailheads. Several water coolers can be found on the southern half of the trail.
Hours: Sun up to sun down 365 days a year
Admission: none
Contact:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Office of Greenways and Trails Website
Overview
(Editor's Note) For a 42-mile long trail, the Suncoast trail has little information available on-line. What information is available, often does not accurately indicate the trails current length of 42 miles. Please see our log entry for what probably is the most up-to-dae information on the internet for this trail.
From www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com
The Suncoast Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide Greenways and Trails System. Opened in 2001, this non-motorized paved trail was developed as part of the Suncoast Parkway. Paralleling the parkway, the trail begins in northern Hillsborough County and proceeds north through Pasco and Hernando counties, traversing suburban, agricultural and natural areas. Throughout the trail, rest/interpretive areas illustrate historical significance, emphasize transitions between ecological communities and identify native species. Among the trail’s highlights is the segment adjacent to the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. This section crosses various rivers and creeks, including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee, and provides views of beautiful natural communities. The Suncoast Trail will eventually serve as a key regional connector, linking to other projects such as the Good Neighbor Trail, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Pinellas Trail.
