Must-See Stops Along the Northern Half of the Pinellas Trail
Belleair and Belleview Inn are the perfect jumping-off point to explore the northern stretch of this 38-mile linear bike trail that runs from St. Pete to Tarpon Springs.
The Pinellas Trail – a route along an abandoned rail trail runs from Tarpon Springs 38 miles south to St. Petersburg – is the longest bike trail in Florida and said to be the best in all of the state. That’s because, it offers a wide range of riding from picturesque rides through parks and over causeways to full urban riding, allowing cyclists to take in the views of the city. It’s also fully integrated into the towns it goes through, meaning the stops along the way are plentiful and easy to access. In fact, the trail actually runs right by one of Opal’s historic hotel in Belleair, Belleview Inn, where the resort offers bike rentals to take advantage of this gem of a route. We suggest heading north, where the trail is most scenic, and checking out these stops along the way
Dunedin Stadium [Dunedin]
Roughly five miles from Belleview Inn, TD Ballpark is a great first stop. As the pre-season home of the Toronto Blue Jays and Dunedin’s own minor league team (also named the Blue Jays), the 5,509-seat venue has been ranked as one of the top five places to see a spring training game by Sport’s Illustrated. Even if you don’t have time to catch a game, it’s still worth it to walk the 360-degree boardwalk concourse and look out over the ballfield.
Honeymoon Island [Dunedin]
At Curlew Road, the trail splits. If you continue straight, it will take you up to Tarpon Springs, but if you take the left to “the spur,” as it’s known, you’ll head over to Honeymoon Park. This park is located on its own little island, meaning it is home to four miles of pristine beaches as well as ample hiking and biking trails. The best part of the trip might just be the two miles you take out and back on the scenic causeway linking the island to the mainland.
Beer Stops [Palm Harbor]
Some two miles north of Honeymoon Island and more than halfway through the northern stretch of the trail, Palm Harbor is the perfect place to stop for a refreshment. The quarter-mile between Illinois Avenue and Florida Avenue here is home to not one, but two breweries: De Bine Brewing Company and Stilt House Brewery. De Bine offers 14 rotating taps in its 2,500- square-foot tasting room complete with a full menu, shuffleboard, and board games; while Stilt House offers 26 taps and regularly scheduled trivia nights and live music.
Wall Springs Park [Palm Harbor]
This 210-acre park is the site of a historic spring once used as a spa and bathing area during the turn of the century and well into the 1960s. Now, the park offers boardwalks, nature trails, and a 35-foot observation tower that features spectacular views of the Gulf over the trees. The beautiful grounds are a great place to get out of the sun and rest while taking in the natural majesty of Florida.
Greektown [Tarpon Springs]
While the trail officially ends in the North Lake neighborhood of Tarpon Springs, a detour prior to that to the Historic Sponge Docks serves as the perfect end stop before your return to Belleair. Hop off the Pinellas Trail and take Dodecanese Boulevard the half mile to Greektown’s seven-block main drag, where the Greek flag’s signature white and blue color scheme dominates the landscape, and the smell of garlic, lamb, and Greek confections waft around notable businesses, such as Hellas Bakery, Mykonos, Costas, and Mama’s Greek Cuisine. After grabbing something from the many cafes, bakeries, and shops, stroll the village’s Historic Sponge Dock bustling with boats, tourists, fishermen, sponge divers, and boat engineers.
Where to Stay Belleview Inn
