Bike Fun on the Legacy Trail

It is beginning to be difficult to remember when the Legacy Trail originated south of Clark Road. Even then, it was beloved by cyclists and distance runners. But now, with its expansion all the way north to Downtown Sarasota and all the way south to Shamrock Park in Venice (just across the canal from Caspersen Beach), not to mention the adjoining bike trails it connects with, you literally can explore all over Sarasota County from your 10-speed. 

What Is The Legacy Trail?

The Legacy Trail is a nearly 20-mile paved trail with no vehicular traffic. Recent waves of expansion and growth of the trail has increased accessibility, with several parking lots available from the northern terminus at Payne Park in Downtown Sarasota, to the southern end point on the coast of Venice. In addition to the main drag, the southern part of the trail runs into other trails, including the Venice Watershed Trail, which runs right to the beach, and - if you are willing to use bike-friendly Laurel Road to get east of the freeway - to more trails further east, including an eventual extension which will connect it to Warm Mineral Springs in North Port. In short, it is the equivalent of a highway for bikes and a great, safe place for pedestrian traffic too. 

As of now, The Legacy Trail intersects with a few main roads, but construction has begun already for overpasses, which will carry the Legacy Trail over Bee Ridge and Clark Roads, both of which are scheduled to be complete later in 2024. Over the 18.5 miles, there are 13 restrooms available on the trail, 15 trailheads with parking, 8 playgrounds along the trail, and it runs through 9 parks including Oscar Scherer State Park.

Great Places to Take The Legacy Trail

As both a distance runner and a cyclist, I've been utilizing the trail for a long time, but now that the extensions are complete, I use it to get places, not just for exercise. I love riding the Legacy Trail all the way south to Venice. Once you break away past Clark Road, the trail becomes very scenic, running parallel to old train tracks for several miles. After getting into Venice, you pass the old train depot, and then follow a canal out towards the water. It is peaceful and quiet, full of verdant flora and tropical trees. If a peaceful afternoon ride is your speed, then head south. But if you want a little more excitement, head north on Saturday mornings, avoid the downtown parking conundrum, and bike right to the Saturday Sarasota Farmer's Market. Bring a backpack though, because you certainly will want to take advantage of the many vendors the market has to offer!

What's to Come with The Legacy Trail?

A few things are already in motion (and mentioned above) for the next stages of the Legacy Trail's extension: the overpasses at both Clark and Bee Ridge roads, as well as trail additions which will bring access to Warm Mineral Springs. Another big possibility on the horizon is continuing the northern end of the trail all the way to Bobby Jones Golf Course & 17th Street Park. This is only in the preliminary stages as of now and has yet to be approved by the County Commission.

I hope you're inspired to get out and adventure along the Legacy Trail! We are very lucky in Sarasota to have a trail like this, making an active lifestyle both easy AND scenic!