OUTDOORS VisitSPC.com/Outdoors ON SHORE Back on shore, St. Pete-Clearwater’s trail network makes it just as easy to stay active. The popular, multiuse Pinellas Trail is the region’s backbone, stretching continuously from St. Pete to Tarpon Springs. Built along a former railroad corridor, the protected 47-mile pathway connects a string of vibrant coastal communities, each with its own mix of charming cafes, shops and breweries worth stopping for. Walk, run, bike or skate — the route is flat, accessible and incredibly scenic the entire way. (Bonus: Leashed dogs are welcome along the entire trail.) For a shorter but equally rewarding ride, the Skyway Trail Extension embarks near Maximo Park in south St. Pete and eventually links up with the Pinellas Trail. One of its standout stretches runs through Clam Bayou Nature Park in Gulfport, where impeccably landscaped boardwalks and bridges carry you over tidal flats and mangroves, offering a close-up view of coastal ecosystems. If you’re looking for a shaded, nature-fo-cused outing, the expansive John Chesnut Sr. Park offers a 2.7-mile trail through wetlands, hardwood hammocks and over boardwalks — ideal for walking, running or cycling. For sweeping views of downtown St. Pete’s waterfront, head over to the approximately 6.5-mile North Bay Trail , a paved route that winds past the St. Pete Pier, Vinoy Park, North Shore Park and Coffee Pot Park . For a deeper dive into Florida’s ecosys-tems, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve on the shores of Lake Maggiore in St. Pete is a peaceful escape for a day hike or trail run. This special 245-acre getaway offers 6 miles of trails that move through hard-wood hammocks, pine flatwoods and lakeside boardwalks. A short drive north, Sawgrass Lake Park features elevated walkways through one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast — prime territory for spotting birds, turtles and alligators. Pinellas Trail John Chesnut Sr. Park 56 AMERICA’S FAVORITE BEACHES
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