Sarasota Bike Trails
Find Sarasota bike trails and easy cycling routes, from The Legacy Trail and Pompano Trailhead to Venetian Waterway Park, Bobby Jones Nature Park, Rothenbach, Myakka, and local club ride resources.
Best bike trails near Sarasota
For low-stress Sarasota biking, start with paved separated trails and park roads before mixing into street riding. The Legacy Trail is the main north-south cycling route into downtown Sarasota, while Venetian Waterway Park extends the ride south along the Intracoastal Waterway. For shorter weekday loops, city and county parks like Bobby Jones Nature Park and Rothenbach Park are easier to fit into a morning.
Sarasota bike trails and route sources
| Trail or source | Surface or route | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legacy Trail / Pompano Trailhead | Paved multiuse trail with multiple trailheads | Fruitville Road to Venice Train Depot; Pompano Trailhead at 601 S. Pompano Ave. | The first choice for a long, low-stress Sarasota ride with restroom stops, trailhead parking, and a route that can scale from short out-and-back to serious mileage. |
| Ashton Trailhead | Legacy Trail access with paved trail connection | 4301 Ashton Road | A family-friendly or first-ride access point with restrooms, picnic shelters, a playground, and a bike repair station. |
| Venetian Waterway Park | Concrete paved trail along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway | Venice Train Depot to Shamrock Park and Caspersen Beach | Water views, wildlife sightings, and a natural extension when a Legacy Trail ride continues into Venice. |
| The Nature Park at Bobby Jones | Crushed shell and repurposed golf-cart paths around wetlands | 1000 Circus Blvd. | A short in-city ride or walk with wetland views and an easier loop than a full Legacy Trail outing. |
| Rothenbach Park | Paved park trail | 8650 Bee Ridge Road | East Sarasota fitness loops, outdoor exercise, and a quieter paved ride away from downtown traffic. |
| Myakka River State Park | Paved park roads plus permitted backcountry dirt roads | 13207 State Road 72 | A nature-first ride with prairie, hammocks, lake views, bike rentals, and paid state-park entry. |
| Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club | Club ride calendar, route knowledge, and cycling resources | Sarasota-Manatee region | Riders who want group rides, cue sheets, local safety knowledge, and a path beyond solo trail rides. |
How to pick a ride
Choose The Legacy Trail if you want the most predictable paved route. Choose Venetian Waterway Park when water views and Venice are part of the plan. Choose Bobby Jones or Rothenbach when you need a shorter fitness ride. Choose Myakka when the ride is really a nature outing and you are prepared for park fees, heat, and changing conditions.
Official links
Confirm trail hours, trailhead locations, maintenance notices, and maps with Sarasota County Parks: The Legacy Trail, Sarasota County Parks: Venetian Waterway Park, City of Sarasota: The Nature Park at Bobby Jones, Sarasota County Parks: Rothenbach Park, Florida State Parks: Myakka River State Park, and Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club.