Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Florida Gulf Beaches & Rail Trails Bike Tour
Trip Overview
Escape the north and enjoy this award-winning bike tour on flat, protected rail trails — plus scenic riding on the barrier islands and beaches along the serene waters of Florida’s gorgeous Gulf of Mexico. Relish these carefully designed cycling routes in Pinellas and Sarasota counties. You ideal cycling conditions here in late fall or early spring. Each day features riding on rail trails with options for additional road miles — and the road miles are frequently in bike lanes or on quiet roads. Plus, dine on fresh seafood and other local treats!
You spend the first three days in Clearwater Beach and in the St. Petersburg area, primarily exploring the Pinellas Trail and numerous state parks and beaches. A short shuttle on Wednesday takes you to the Legacy Trail in Sarasota County, where you enjoy rail trails and easy access to Casey Key — with its slow-traffic road and good connections to bike trails and to miles of roads with dedicated bike lanes.
Whether you want to ride rail trails, or you are looking for extra early- and late-season miles, this trip provides a great combination of beaches and biking to create a vacation you’ll never forget! This is also an ideal trip to bring along a non-riding companion to enjoy the beaches and museums, including the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. On the March dates, you might even be able to attend an MLB spring training baseball game.
This tour won Bicycling Magazine's 2021 award for "Best Beach-Adjacent Tour." Reserve your space today!
See a list of our all of our Florida tours.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Today’s ride is on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, a bike path along the causeway connecting Tampa Bay and the Clearwater area. You have great views of the water, birds and kite boarders as you enjoy the first warm weather ride. The ride ends at the Safety Harbor fishing pier, where you can relax and enjoy the bayside boating scene. A short shuttle takes you onto Clearwater Beach, where you check in for your first night and gather for a welcome dinner together.
Today's ride begins with pedaling over the Clearwater Causeway to the Pinellas Trail and then heading North on the Pinellas to the historic fishing village of Tarpon Springs. You pass through a number of bayside towns and enjoy lunch together at a classic Greek restaurant. After lunch, you head back south on the Pinellas Trail to Dunedin, where we end the ride at a trailside brewery. There is also an option to continue riding for the final 6 miles back to the hotel on Clearwater Beach. Dinner is as a group.
Today’s ride begins with cycling over the Clearwater Causeway to the Pinellas Trail and then heading south on the Pinellas to the end of the trail in downtown St. Petersburg. You pass through a variety of towns and parks and end with a section of murals along the trail. You arrive in St. Petersburg in time for lunch and then go on a guided tour of the Dali Museum. After the tour of the Dali, you check into your boutique hotel and have time to explore historic St. Petersburg. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Shuttle to Venice and the end of the Legacy Trail. After riding to the northern end, follow dedicated bike lanes and back roads out to Casey Key for an included lunch. Casey Key is known for its lovely beach ... and the low-light restrictions there improve the success of the many sea turtles that nest there. Ride back along the Legacy Trail to the inn. End the day with a sunset stroll and a delicious waterside dinner.
Today’s ride takes you along the Legacy Trail into Venice, then along a dedicated bike trail beside the Intracoastal Waterway — part of the network providing protected passage for boats from Boston to Florida and around the Gulf to Texas. After traversing the quiet neighborhood roads of South Venice, you cross a bridge onto Manasota Key and enjoy more riding along a barrier island. At the southern end of Manasota Key, you visit Stump Pass Beach State Park and go for a kayak paddle in the mangroves at Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve. A bag lunch is included. Return to Venice Island — via bike or van — and explore the beaches there, including the opportunity to sift the sand for plentiful fossilized shark’s teeth. Our final celebratory dinner is at a local restaurant.
Today is our final day of riding. You can start early for some longer miles on bike lanes, visiting Myakka River State Park, or you can take a more leisurely ride on the Legacy Trail and along the beaches of Casey Key. Then shuttle to Ybor City for lunch and then back to Tampa Airport for farewells.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (on your own for 1 lunch in St. Petersburg, 1 dinner in Clearwater and 1 dinner in Venice), kayaking at Lemon Bay, entrance to the Salvador Dalí Museum, State Park entrance fees, leaders, van support, maps and route directions. One free shuttle time to and from Tampa Airport per each tour date. And use of a bicycle, helmet, and bike lights. Airfare not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (on your own for 1 lunch in St. Petersburg, 1 dinner in Clearwater and 1 dinner in Venice), kayaking at Lemon Bay, entrance to the Salvador Dalí Museum, State Park entrance fees, leaders, van support, maps and route directions. One free shuttle time to and from Tampa Airport per each tour date. And use of a bicycle, helmet, and bike lights. Airfare not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Guests say …
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Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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