Very nice trail! Plenty of parking lots along the trail. The trail is a mixture of shade and sun, which was nice. There were a few water refill stations, but I didn't check if they had water. The trail round trip was I believe 14-15 miles if my watch tracked right. read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This is a good starter walking path. I liked all the trees for the shade. It has good paved walking paths. I saw a few bunnies, turtles and squirrels. Nice facility of restrooms. read more

My husband and I love this trail. So does our neighbor and dogs. We go on long walks using this trail several times a week. The rangers keep cold water stocked at the various rest spots and keep everything clean and safe overall. We really appreciate all they do. After the back-to-back hurricanes this year (Helene and Milton), there was significant damage so we're waiting patiently, but eagerly, for them to announce that it's reopened. I know my rottie is ready to get back out on the trail with his pack and to say hello to all his fans! read more

Nice, clean, trail with trees keeping the path well shaded. Minimal trash was seen on the trail, but a trash can or sitting area every 1/2mile or mile would improve the experience. read more

I really love this trail. It's always so peaceful and the shaded areas definitely help especially when it's sunny out.I've never been much of a trail runner but this area just makes me want to keep running to explore whatever is next on the trail. There are a few ponds along the way and a big fields. There is also a water station and bathroom along the wilsky entrance but that is currently closed due to the pandemic circumstances. The weekends are a lot more crowded during these times since there aren't many options of places to go. I recommend checking this trail out if you want to just enjoy nature and get some fresh air. read more

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Such a beautiful scenic trail. You can bike, walk or rollerblade. It's perfect for those who love nature as much as I do. You can catch the perfect sunsets read more

I really like this trail and wish we started using it when we first moved to Westchase in 2011. I walked it for the first time this year (2015) and every time we've gone to different spots on the trail and got a relaxing workout. I still haven't gone to the montague part, but in sure by next weekend I would have tried the entire thing. We've been waiting to move to a bigger house before buying bikes (for the adults) but this trail is making me want to fit one into my crowded 2 car garage now. The scenery on the trail definitely beats walking in circles in my neighborhood. Along the trail you pass little "streams" and creeks and we've even spotted peacocks! However, I hope I don't run into any viscous wildlife! The whole thing is paved and kept up by the county who also provides fresh cold water with paper cone cups. I can't wait to explore the rest of this trail along with the new extension to come that I think goes into the city of Odessa. read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - Peacock on the trail - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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My favorite park in Tampa Bay! I have been exercising here for years. The trail is very well maintained - it is swept/blown off daily, and they hi-light with spray paint any uneven areas - all of which is very important when one is skating (although there are apparently squirrel hit-men that regularly try and take me out). [Side note to Cece: Yes, Cece - people still skate! ;-)] The paths are perfect for running, skating, walking, or biking. Some parts of the path are tree lined, which helps to provide shade in the summertime. It is also incredibly handy that they have underpasses or overpasses to bypass every major road the trail intersects. You do have to pay either $2 per visit, or buy an annual pass for $50 - I own the pass which is a small price to pay for the convenience of cold water at the rest stations, and clean bathrooms. The other thing I love about this park is all the wildlife I have seen at various times over the years - newborn turtles, snapping turtles, coyotes, a hog, alligators, vultures, and other misc. birds. read more

The part of the trail I frequent is in Citrus Park, which is all paved and, despite running along the Veterans, is peaceful, thanks to the canopy of trees. The shade is a welcome reprieve from the blistering sun in the summer, and you'll find many people out walking their dogs and riding bikes with their families. You'll occasionally run into (literally) someone who doesn't know basic trail etiquette (walk on the RIGHT!) or cyclists with loud boom boxes (is this the 80s?), but for the most part, the trail is a nice place to get in your daily walk/run and commune with nature. For my purposes, the trail is great. It's close to where I live, is wide enough for other people to keep their distance, and feels safe even at night. That being said, it could really benefit from some lampposts. I know there are houses that run along some parts of the trail, but some short lights could be installed for added safety. One complaint I have is the parking situation. One time, my friend and I drove there with every intention of paying the parking fee, but there were no parking slips left! I'm not sure how often they are refilled, but it made us nervous to think we were going to be unfairly ticketed. At the end of the day, we weren't, but it makes me wonder how much of a hassle it would be had things transpired differently. At the end of the day, I'm just grateful for a nice stretch of pavement not sandwiched by traffic. read more

My wife and I signed up for the 2018 Hillsborough County Hiking Spree. This is a challenge that is designed to get people out and hiking some of Hillsborough County's best trails. We made our first (and second) stop of the spree two legs of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is an urban asphalt trail that stretches a bit over 16.5 miles in length (with plans to expand it later). Different sections of the trail offer different amenities including places to barbecue, restrooms, fishing, hiking, running, walking, bird watching, horseback riding, playgrounds, water coolers, and picnic shelters. The fact that the trail is asphalt makes it a great place to break out your roller blades or road bike. Basically, if you like to do it outdoors in Florida, you will probably be able to do it at some place on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. Despite being an urban trail that runs through some of Hillsborough County's finest residential areas, you'll find stretches of the trail that make you feel like you are on a walk through the woods in some the country. You'll hear the birds singing and poking away at the trees (I'm including the roosters that were crowing as part of this "singing"), see small creatures scurrying about and, maybe, catch sight of some of Florida's most gorgeous (and dangerous) wildlife. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail in a nutshell: it is a beautiful trail that is well maintained by Hillsborough County. Whatever your outdoor activity of choice is, you will find a place for it on the trail. read more

This is a beautiful trail for road cyclists, joggers and dog walkers alike (oh and skaters, hi Karen F!). I only started using this trail once I got a bike, and now I'm here as often as possible. As previous yelpers mentioned, the trail is paved, wide and passable, often shaded and lined with some cool views. There are water stations every few miles with ice cold coolers and disposable cups - probably not the most eco-friendly option, but still nice when you have a dog or don't want to drink from a fountain. The areas also seem pretty safe to run alone since there are plenty of people out exercising at all times of the day. My favorite parts of the trail include the landfill/hills north of Linebaugh Ave. and the picturesque bridge directly south of there. As you keep going south, there are a few small elevation changes that keep things interesting. My only wish is that the trail was longer! I think the total mileage one way is about 7.25 miles, which goes by quickly on a bike! read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - End of the trail at Memorial - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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What a great trail! I just recently started running in different parts of the Tampa area and came to UTBT for an early Saturday morning run. Something I found really great about UTBT was that it has quite a few shady spots and generally doesn't look like it's in Florida. There is a specific part of the trail where I thought I was in the countryside, which is a great change of pace for this born and bred Florida gal. The trail is pretty well-maintained and there's a lot of stuff to see, from little lakes to swampy areas and little critters in some areas. The water stations are plentiful which is great if you're on a long run or biking and need a nice cold refreshment. There are bathrooms scattered around the trail area too. Definitely a fun, quiet and peaceful little place, and a great place to work on your fitness! read more

Wonderful walking, skating and biking trail! Lots of shade in parts of it, and nicely maintained. There is some trash visible, people being people.. but it is minimal. It does parallel Veterans in areas, so there is a lot of road noise. Water is available at various locations, as are bathrooms (actually clean and kept up!) Almost everyone I saw walking their dogs, also carried poop cleaning bags, which is always appreciated. Be careful, as many of the bicycle riders are rude, and whiz by closer than necessary with no warning. Overall, a great place to get some exercise, and relax a bit. read more

Getting into shape is hard in the blazing heat of Florida, where the humidity is high you can see raindrops forming in the sky. This trail has to be my absolute favorite, I visit with my hubby and pup Flynn at least once a week and take a couple mile stroll for only a fee of $2 per visit. Trail is also horse friendly! The roads are paved and every few miles there are stops (treats, in my opinion) with benches and commonly cold, fresh water stations. There are always people on duty refilling the water and keeping up with the trail. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is without a doubt a great place for the family to spend time together and also a peaceful, judgement free zone to burn some fat! Bicycling, rollerblading, walking or running, this trail will be the right location for you. read more

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I love this trail! It's a great addition to north county. My favorite part is located at citrus park mall and north. It is shadier (trees, not scary shady) and very safe. I've met friends here several times and walked the trail with our babies. It is so nice to walk and not have to worry about traffic or cars. This is definitely a great addition to the county. read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - The trail around the citrus park mall area - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

A calm and pleasant place for any outdoor activity. Pet friendly, and they have water stations installed in several areas of the trail. We enjoy biking here. Bridges, stream of water flowing, huge trees in most part of the trail, which will keep you from tiring soon. If your lucky you could spot horses in farms on your way ! Clear indications and signs ! Safe and usually you ll find people biking ,walking, etc along your way. Open from Dawn to Dusk. read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I really like this trail. It's paved, many parts are shaded, cold water kiosks and bathroom facilities every couple of miles. There are plenty of parking options. If you park next to Ballyhoo's on Ehrlich, parking is free. If you park in a county lot, it's $2 or you can buy an annual pass. You can easily do 10+ miles and there are signs often to tell you where you are and how close the facilities are. I like that there are many places on the trail where I can get my wildlife fix. Birds, squirrels, bunnies, gators, turtles, etc. can be seen on or near the trail. People are very friendly and usually nod or say hello as you pass. In all honesty, this trail can get a little sketchy at times but so can any place.I've reported someone to the park rangers before for creeping in the bushes. However, when I'm out with my running buddy I always feel perfectly safe. General personal safety rules are in play: don't go out before dawn or after dusk by yourself. Even though there is a police station on the trail there are still robberies. Also, some of my running friends found a body on the trail a year or so ago. It's ok though, it was a suicide. read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - Gator sunning off UTBT - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is located in residential northwest Hillsborough County, and stretches a bit over 7 miles in length. The paved trail starts at a trailhead off Memorial Highway / Montague Street, and then follows an abandoned railroad corridor north along the Veterans Expressway, ending at Peterson Road Park. Along the way you'll pass very clean restrooms, and lots of water stations. You'll even find a stretch where you feel as though you're out in the country, with singing birds and some smaller critters. This is a mixed use trail, meaning that you'll see plenty of runners, walkers, moms with strollers, people on roller blades, and bicycles. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the trail, but you'll see kids zipping along on their Razor scooters on the weekends. My favorite time to use this trail is during the week when it's less crowded and much quieter. I can take my time and pedal from one end of the trail to the other, and not have to dodge groups of people out for their morning power walks. The Citrus Park Bike Shop is about at the middle of the trail, and it's a convenient place to park my car and check over my bike. Otherwise I will park behind the Ballyhoo restaurant in the large County lot. One thing to point out.... if you use this trail in the afternoons in the dead of summer, you will be running past the County landfill and also a large pig farm. It does get a bit ripe on that section of the trail, so be prepared. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is a great place to walk, run, bike, or just shuffle along and enjoy some nature and free exercise. read more

The Upper Tampa Bay Trail runs from Memorial Highway/Montague St, past Waters Avenue, Linebaugh, and then due north to Gunn Highway, Ehrlich Road and ending at Peterson Road Park. The current trail is 7.25 miles. Eventually, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail will extend seven to eight more miles, connecting to the 41-mile Suncoast Trail! I like this trail better than the Pinellas County trail in St Pete because there are less road interruptions. There is free parking water and restrooms available at 7499 Montague Street, 9201 W. Waters Avenue, and 10314 Wilsky Blvd! read more

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Who really needs to pay for use of a treadmill when you have this trail to enjoy? The trail is well paved and is currently a bit over 7 miles long. Great for hiking, biking, blading, skating or jogging. Great scenery and some nice shaded areas. Well maintained and lots of nature to enjoy. My fav trail as it's very close to home and always lots of friendly folks. Can be brutal in summer months but fabulous to enjoy with our summer light season. read more

Great trail. I do a lot of biking and have been exploring all the trails. the scenery is beautiful. Wish trail was a bit longer, 7 miles is just not enough. Hopefully they will connect soon to the "other" Upper Tampa Trail which was just opened up this year Once that connection is made it will be a link to Suncoast which will give folks here more trail than they will know what to do with If anyone has heard when they are planning to do this please post read more

Great Trail for Running & Cycling! I started running here at the beginning of my Marathon Training with my Coach. I started bike with my Tri Team mates and love it! It's a solid surface. Various parking lots along the train for convenience. Overall, a safe place to ride and train! Know your bike etiquette! Ride safe! read more

When I lived in Citrus Park, I was a huge fan of running on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. There are always people running, walking and biking- and most people I passed always smiled and said hi. The path is wide enough to accomodate everyone without any crashes! A good portion of the trail is shaded, which is good for those sunny days. And as a young female, I never felt unsafe running on the trail. It is kinda tricky to get to though (it took me a lot of google mapping to figure it out). If you're going to drive- you can get to a parking lot off of Wilsky Blvd and Linebaugh. I think they ask for a $2 donation to park there. You can also get onto the trail behind the McDonalds on Citrus Park Drive. What's nice is they have cold water stations scattered throughout! There are also bathrooms at a couple spots. Both of these things can be found at the parking lot off of Wilsky. Makes it worth the $2 to park. I don't live in the area anymore, and I do miss running on this trail! Once it gets hot again, I will probably head back there for some shaded running space. read more

Nothing but great things to say. If you're looking for something different to do then this is it. Fun trail to go down and enjoy nature, near the citrus park area there are homes with horses and other animals you can see from the trail. This trail happens to also have a bike rental not to far from it in the citrus park area, definitely recommend them great prices. read more

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The trail was beautiful and quite flat compared to the more inner city trails. They had numerous detours that did not pan out and had us double backing a couple of times. Otherwise clean and well maintained read more

Love ridding my bike on this trail !! There is always ice cold water in the water stations and the trail is very well kept and clean

One of the best reasons to be and live in Citrus Park. The trail follows an old rail line is pretty well shaded on some sections sadly lately some investment companies have pushed the county to cut trees for their building to be visible from the road There is also a new hotel construction that have cut down a big section of shade. Enjoy the oak cover while it last read more

Great for running and biking. It''s paved and about 7 miles and some change with clear markers every half mile. Super scenic. I entered at the Waters entrance. You pay two bucks for parking. There is a green envelope that you put money in. There's a part you tear off and hang in your car. The envelope goes in the short metal bin next to where you got the envelopes. They have bowls for dogs next to the water fountains and water boxes. Overall, great spot for running or biking around (there's some non-paved paths as well, but I don't know too much about those. Did see bikers on those routes though). Very clean too. Bathrooms were missing a few things though. read more

I prefer this trail for most of my long running needs. It's paved throughout with asphalt and lined with trees for the majority of the seven plus miles. Bathroom facilities are placed sporadically through the trailheads, along with water coolers and cone cups for your hydration needs. Parking is available near Ballyhoos at Gunn Hwy, at Whilsky Rd and near Montague and Memorial. read more

Excellent trail to bike for beginners and professionals. It's very well kept. Plenty of rest areas and water coolers all the way.not very crowded! read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I ride every chance I get with my husband and kids its great and very enjoyable it's never crowded and when you do see people they are very nice too. read more

Upper Tampa Bay Area Trail - Hiking Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Very conveniently located trail. My favorite thing about this trail are all the shaded trees. Being a local, I come here about once a month. You will see people running, walking, riding bikes and roller blading. There are also picnic tables along the way. read more

The Upper Tampa Bay Trail will do more then just leave you sweating and tired. The trail connect you with nature, strengthen your bonds (for when you go with friends and family) , as well as help you catch a few buggy pokemons! I often go on the trail once or twice a week with my mamabear and sometimes our little pupper to get a couple miles in and spend time together and this trail is the best way to do so! Along the trail are little pit stops (as I see them) for us to take a break and sit on their benches as well as refresh ourself with their cold, lavishing water that is kept full and cool! The everyday fee is only $2 and if you regularly go on trails or see yourself outside often, the Trail has an annual paper form that you can sign up for the whole year! read more

I love to ride my bicycle on the trail. I never miss the chance to see a lot of wildlife by riding on the trail. One time I was riding on the trail and a Bald Eagle flew over me. read more

Let's Hear it for Rails to Trails! The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is currently a 7 mile connector from around Alonso High School through Westchase and Citrus Park to where it finishes at a small county park, Peterson Road Park. There are plans in place to connect it North to the Suncoast Trail and you can see the full map posted on the trail. This is a great biking, walking, longboarding, inline skating trail. Sections are shaded mixed in with sunnier areas that border commercial properties. The entire trail is paved and flat. There are multiple small parking lots placed at various points of entry on the trail. Look up the website to find the one closest to you. There are many places to stop off for refreshments along the way so you can make it a day outing. Courtesy to different types of exercisers is important due to the variety of participants so bikers get a bell or shout "on your right/left" and walkers move over when you hear someone coming. After all, its all in good fun! Get moving in the great Florida outdoors! read more

This is a fantastic trail. As a runner, I love using it for longer runs. The Gunn Highway parking lot near Ballyhoo's is easy. The part that's north of Gunn is a bit inaccessible because there's such an odd crossing. I use the 7ish miles south of Gunn Highway. For runs longer than 14 miles it tends to become repetitive if you have to double back to gain more miles. As I'm starting to bike more, I'm finding this trail is a little too short to consider for a long ride. It's nice for a weekday ride, but for anything where you've really got a lot of miles to ride I'd head north to the Suncoast Parkway. It's nice to have water stops every mile or two that are filled up regularly, and I've never felt unsafe while running there. read more

Excellent trail. Very peaceful and clean and an excellent place to get a good run in or ride your bike. Other than exposing me to just how out of shape I truly am, had a great time. I would definitely recommend this trail to anyone looking for a peaceful place to get a good run in. 5 stars!!! read more

This WAS a great but short trail. Since October '14 it's been cut in half as the bridge south of Gardner road is closed due to inspection failure. I've gotten word that bridge repairs have finally begun and should be completed by the end of March (2015). Sadly, the much anticipated expansion to the north may not happen for many years (if ever). read more

I love this trail. Riding our bikes from Citrus Park to Montegue is awesome. Going over Gunn Highway with a trailer with two Jack Russells in tow is a bit of a struggle- telling myself it is a good workout- but worth it. The pit stops every so often are a nice feature! :) read more

I rode my bike from waters avenue to the southern end of the trail. It's very scenic and easy to navigate. The only drawback was the water fountain near Waters avenue, the water tastes like chalk. read more