Ride, Walk or Roll The Legacy Trail

Connecting Sarasota to Venice, the multi-use recreational Legacy Trail offers one of the best ways to experience the area's natural landscapes, small towns, wildlife and outdoor lifestyle—whether you’re cruising on an e-bike or scooter, pedaling a beach cruiser, taking a long stroll or roller blading.

A Trail Built on History

Back in 1911, the Seaboard Air Line Railway began carrying passengers from Sarasota to Venice via an extension. In 1927, the Venice Train Depot was built, drawing even more folks who were eager to live in the Venice area, establish businesses and simply enjoy the quaint coastal community. From 1960 to 1992, those railroad lines often transported the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performers, animals and equipment to their winter home.

These tracks hold much of our community's history, and they continue to serve us—even without the trains.

Sarasota County eventually purchased the railroad corridor and reconstructed much of it to create a beautiful, paved stretch for bikers, walkers, bladers and runners to exercise and enjoy recreational activities year-round. Conveniently bridging our towns, parks, waterways and community gardens, the Trail now serves as an alternative way for locals and visitors to explore the area. Notice mile markers along the way that correspond with the railroad’s original mile numbering system, which makes you feel the history as you go along. 

How The Legacy Trail Runs

The trail begins at Fruitville Road near Downtown Sarasota and weaves down the coast through residential neighborhoods, green spaces and quiet stretches of nature before reaching the Historic Venice Train Depot, where it connects seamlessly to the Venetian Waterway Park paths along the Intracoastal Waterway.

There are 16 Trailheads in total—many offering amenities like parking, picnic tables, shelter from the sun, water fountains and recreational facilities. There are even bike repair stations and informational kiosks that provide maps and displays on native flora/fauna. Many types of birds, butterflies, reptiles and small mammals are often spotted along the path, so wildlife lovers should keep their eyes peeled!

One of the many great things about the Trail is that you can start at any point that suits your route and itinerary—simply park your car and head north or south for a short distance, or get the full experience by traveling one way and back for the entire 18.5-mile round trip. 

Oscar Scherer State Park

Notable Stops & Trailheads

• Payne Park – A lively northern gateway near Downtown Sarasota, with manicured green space, fitness areas, a skate park, playground, additional natural-surface paths to ride, restroom facilities and easy access to the city before easing into the Trail’s quieter stretches.
• Culverhouse Nature Park – A peaceful pause point with shaded paths, interpretive signs, birdwatching opps and a community garden, offering a quick immersion into native habitats and local ecology in the neighborhood of Palmer Ranch.
• Laurel Park – A charming neighborhood stop in Sarasota where you can wander shaded paths, relax on a bench, lets the kids stop to play on the playground and peek into the Laurel Community Garden to see what’s growing seasonally.
• Oscar Scherer State Park – A scenic detour in the town of Osprey to explore protected scrub and flatwoods—perfect on foot or bike (a small cyclist fee to enter supports the state park). When you get back on the Trail, just south of the Park, spot an original railroad trestle running along the route—a great reminder of its rail-to-trail roots, once carrying passengers (and yes, circus animals). Want to end your ride here and stay the night? Consider glamping in one of the safari-style tents in campground here!
• Nokomis Community Park – A convenient access point in the town of Nokomis, this entry spot also features grills, a fishing pier, community garden, kayak launch, picnic pavilion, restrooms, pickleball/tennis courts and additional paved and unpaved trails to ride.
• Shamrock Park and Nature Center – A nature-rich hub especially great for hiking, birding and biking along the Intracoastal Waterway. This stop offers a playground, outdoor grills, picnic areas, restored habitats and educational displays—great for stretching your legs or extending your outing beyond the trail.
   

North Port Connector Trail

• Deer Prairie Creek Preserve & North Port Connector – Deer Creek offers a wilder-feeling ride that feels a world away, brushing up against preserved wetlands and pine flatwoods—ideal for wildlife spotting along 70 miles of primitive hiking/biking trails. You can jump off the Forbes Trail trailhead in Venice to enter this 7,335-acre preserve from the North Entrance. Alternatively, you can take the Nokomis Riverview Park trailhead and follow signs/roads to the North Port Connector (a newly paved, tree-lined trail worth the side quest for extra exploration), and enter Deer Creek via a small bridge at the East Entrance.
• Patriots Park – A convenient Venice access or turnaround point with a peaceful memorial park honoring veterans of World Wars, police, firefighters, the fallen of 9/11 and heroes everywhere. The paved courtyard features a World Trade Center steel beam, Pentagon rubble, a flag display, walking paths, picnic areas and a small lake for reflection.
• Venice Train Depot – The southern terminus and a nostalgic finish line, where historic architecture meets modern recreation and connections continue along the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Venetian Waterway Park (VWP) – If you just don't want your ride or run to end, you can keep your venture going by connecting directly from the end of the Legacy Trail onto the VWP east segment (just under 4 miles long). This trail provides great water views, fishing and wildlife sighting opportunities. 
   

Future connections and planned extensions are continually in the works to bring an even stronger regional trail network and improve access for cyclists. Stay up to date here.

Safety & Accessibility Trail Tips

• The Legacy Trail is open year-round, from sunrise to sunset.
• Familiarize yourself with Trail etiquette, controlled speed limits and easy-to-follow safety rules to help keep everyone happy and moving smoothly.
• Pack water, snacks and sunscreen (especially during warmer months) and make sure your bike or wheels are ready for a long, easy ride.
• Rest assured, crosswalks and newly built overpass bridges go across busy intersections, so folks can enjoy the Trail without concern for car traffic. Major overpasses at Bee Ridge Road and Clark Road recently opened to create a smoother, safer experience for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
• The Trail is dog-friendly, but please bring (and keep) your pooch on a leash.
• In Florida, a properly fitted bicycle helmet is mandatory for riders/passengers under 16 years old. For adults (16 and over), helmets are strongly recommended for safety but not legally required.
• There are hardcopy and electronic maps of the Trail, so be sure to review them before you go for a general lay of the land! 
   

Secure Your Ride

If you or your family don’t have bikes, don’t let that stop you—there are several bicycle rental spots around the County to get everyone set up on some wheels. If you have mechanical trouble, simply tap into one of the free, self-service bike repair stations, which provide repair tools and pumps for both Schrader and Presta valve connectors (located at the following Trailheads: Sarasota Springs, Ashton, Pompano, Venice Train Depot). In the downtown and Payne Park area, you will also find VEO scooters parked on the side of the street to jump on and rent. 

For families who want to stick together under the shade, try something fun and different! On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (from January to April), you can ride a two-person Pedicab or a four-passenger Surrey. The free, 45-minute ride is provided by a volunteer pedaler with pick-up and drop-off at specified trailheads.

There are so many benefits to converting unused rails into vibrant, public-use trails—including enjoyment of our natural environment, physical and mental health, alternative means of transportation, economic impact, historic preservation and shared community identity. Our Legacy Trail provides all of these benefits, so we hope you get out there!

Nicole Coudal is a home chef and food writer based in southwest Florida, where she fishes and cooks using local ingredients. When not on the water, she visits farms, farmer’s markets, and other food-related venues to highlight what’s in-season and to create tasty recipes. Read more at MyDeliciousBlog.com.