“Favorite Trails for Walking or Biking”
Whether biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, jogging or walking, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail in Pinellas County Florida offers an exciting outdoor linear trail experience. Formerly, a railroad line this linear trail stretches from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg providing a great pathway that is safe featuring a variety of sites and towns along the way. The 45 mile long Pinellas Trails passes through the towns of Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Seminole, South Pasadena and Gulfport providing opportunities for a long distance ride or fun stops and walks at the towns or parks.
Over the years we personally biked, rollerbladed, jogged and walked numerous sections of the trail. Our initial adventure was our first attempt of inline skating was on the Pinellas Trail from Largo to Clearwater and back. That was a total of 14 miles as newbies on rollerblades. Since then we have continued to experience various sections of the trail and traveled this linear path from Seminole to its end in Tarpon Springs. Living in north Pinellas County, we focus our activities on the northern part of the Pinellas Trail. Plus with the Corona Virus Pandemic, we find the Pinellas Trail offers a safe, relaxing and exciting outdoor adventure. No problems with social distancing on the Trail.
A couple of our favorite walks along the Pinellas Trail are near the intersection of Curlew Road and Bayshore Boulevard (Alternate 19), near the Dunedin Causeway. What is a favorite pastime for seniors? Eating out! A great outdoor outing combined with eating is terrific. Whether it’s breakfast at Benedicts or lunch at Frenchy’s Outpost, near the Dunedin Causeway, these are each starting points for a walk or finishing spots after a walk. The theory is “the walk offsets the calories.” Of course, biking is also a good option. Now to explore the walks available in this area of the Pinellas Trail. A good place to park for this section of the Trail is Caladesi Shopping Center.
SOUTH FROM CURLEW ROAD ON THE PINELLAS TRAIL
Stepping onto the Pinellas Trail at the intersection of Curlew Road and Bayshore Boulevard, we head south towards Dunedin. Initially the Trail parallels Bayshore Boulevard passing a few holes of the Dunedin Country Club and Dunedin Stirling Links. After a bridge, the Trail turns away from the Boulevard behind a subdivision. Spotting the brown information sign for Hammock Park and Andrews Memorial Chapel, we divert from the trail to visit the Park and Chapel.
Andrews Memorial Chapel
It’s a short walk to the Andrews Memorial Chapel. With its charming Victorian style set among trees draped with Spanish moss, it is like stepping back in time. The Chapel is one of the oldest remaining church buildings in this area. Built in 1876 by Alan G. Andrews the Chapel honors his son William who died in a tragic accident. The Chapel was moved in 1926 and again in 1970 when it was saved from demolition by the Dunedin Historical Society. Today the Andrews Memorial Chapel is a venue that hosts events including weddings, baby christenings, memorials, concerts, and garden party receptions. (Due to coronavirus the Open House hours at the Chapel are cancelled until further notice.)
Hammock Park
Across the street from the Chapel is Hammock Park, a 75 acre a natural park with trails, boardwalks into a bayou, butterfly garden, disc golf course, picnic area and playground. For visitors on the Pinellas Trail it is also a nice stop with bathrooms. As we stroll through Hammock Park, we walk across the boardwalks into what Floridian’s call a bayhead. Following a path, we find part of the disc golf course, picnic shelters, the bathrooms and the playground.
Then it’s a leisurely walk through the Butterfly Garden. Patiently walking through the Garden and carefully watching for butterflies, we are eventually rewarded. Numerous butterflies are flittering among the flowering plants and shrubs that attract butterflies. Attempting to get a picture is a challenge as each butterfly quickly flutters from one plant to the next. Yes, we do get a picture but the butterfly is almost hidden in the flower.
Continuing on Pinellas Trail South
Returning to the Pinellas Trail, we continue our walk south as the Trail winds behind homes and subdivisions. Here is some welcoming shade. The Pinellas Trail has safety features of walkers and bile lanes designated with both signs along the path, as well as, icons painted on the path. Typically, walkers are on the east side of the path and bikers are on the west side. Important to stay in the proper lane as bikers and bladders quickly whiz past. Additionally, cross walks are well marked for safe and easy crossing side or main streets. For safety reasons there a plaques on the pathway with a number, in case of emergency the exact location is known.
The great thing about the Pinellas trail is we can pick and choose where and how far to walk. The key thing is remember that there is a return walk, bike ride, etc. We recommend having an idea of the distance wishing to walk. While this walk is just three miles round trip, we also enjoy the longer walk from Curlew to Main Street Dunedin.
Weaver Park
In addition to Hammock Park on the trail to Dunedin, there is also Weaver Park. It is a unique nature park with theme playgrounds. Here kids can be inspired by nature as they climb trees and delight in the equipment shaped like a butterfly, ant hill, caterpillars and giant bird eggs. There is also outdoor workout equipment available for adults. Plus Weaver Park extends across Bayshore Boulevard with water frontage offering a fishing pier and spectacular sunset views. On our longer walks to Dunedin, Weaver Park is a fun stop with plenty of shade and views.
Then continuing to Dunedin, we can choose to stroll the shops on Main Street, stop for a brew, or enjoy a light lunch at one of the eateries in downtown Dunedin. There are plenty varied eateries close to the Pinellas Trail offering a rewarding respite before the return walk.
Depending on our desire for a long or short walk will decide how far we continue on the Pinellas Trail. To go from the Curlew interchange to Main Street in Dunedin is just under 3 miles. For a round trip of 6 miles we prepare a walk of that length depending on the season and temperatures, etc. It is a hot and humid August day so we opt for a shorter walk. We return walking the side streets and then along Bayshore Drive enjoying the scenery of the older Florida bungalow style homes in the neighborhoods and the canals that jut in on Bayshore Boulevard. It is a nice leisurely walk today and we especially enjoy the detour to Andrews Memorial Chapel and Hammock Park.
STROLL THE DUNEDIN CAUSEWAY
A morning or afternoon stroll along the Dunedin Causeway is consistently energizing. Even on hot summer days, the breeze along the Causeway is refreshing. With plenty of free parking along the Causeway, we park after the first bridge. This makes the roundtrip walk about 3 miles. Actually, the Dunedin Causeway is a 2.5 mile path that goes from Bayshore Boulevard to the entrance of Honeymoon Island State Park for 5 miles round trip.
Cool breezes blow across the Dunedin Causeway that is lined on each side by the waters of St. Joseph Sound. The spur of the Pinellas Trail runs along the south-side of the road. On walks on the causeway we pass bikers, joggers, and walkers. As always there is a calming, relaxing and peaceful feeling that comes with being near the water. Walking the causeway we people watch delighting in seeing people of all ages fishing, enjoying watercraft activities and sunbathing. It is a nice leisurely walk with bathroom facilities on the Causeway, an outdoor eatery, and concession for renting sailboats and kayaks. Our walk continues past the concessionaire over a bridge which brings cooler breezes and the trail continues to the entrance of Honeymoon State Park. While we can walk in the Park, there is a fee even for walkers. Here we turn around for our return walk to the car.
THE PINELLAS TRAIL- A LOCAL OUTDOOR GETAWAY
The Pinellas Trail is a great outdoor getaway especially during these challenging times of the “Pandemic.” Residents and visitors of Pinellas County will find the Trail enjoyable whether biking, rollerblading or walking. Fun stops at some of the 15 Parks in Pinellas County add to the adventure. So put on your walking shoes, grab a hat, sunglasses, slather on some sunscreen, take a bottle water, bring your camera/phone and enjoy a walk on the Pinellas Trail.
IF YOU GO:
Dunedin Causeway Info:
Hours: 5:00AM-11:00PM
Parking: Free
Prohibited: Alcohol, camping, ground fires
Dogs: on a maximum 6 foot leash only permitted on the Pinellas Trail. Not permitted on the beach. A dedicatd DOG Beach is on Honeymoon Island State Park.
Fishing: Fishing is allowed with proper fishing license.
Boat/Watercraft- open to motorized boats, jet skis, wave runners, sailboats, and kayaks. No paved ramps.
Hammock Park
Hours: 9:30AM – 7:00PM
Location: 1945 San Mateo Dr, Dunedin, FL 34698
Amenities:
5 miles of Trails Hammock Park Trail is a 2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. (We have not walked this trail.)
3 Picnic Shelters
Observation Platform|
Restrooms
Playground
Weaver Park
Hours: 7:00AM – 7:00PM
Location: 1258 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698
Free Parking
Amenities:
Fishing pier
2 Picnic Shelters
Nature-themed playground (Completely ADA accessible)
Restrooms
Parking lots on both sides of Bayshore Blvd.