Upper Tampa Bay Trail

The most popular, most used trail in Hillsborough County, is comprised of two segments. The northernmost segment connects Van Dyke with Highway 54, about 5 miles. We do not currently have group runs at that location because the other locations are more popular with our group; however, information about that trail head is provided below.

***Run Tampa Group Run procedures and schedule here***

Saturday runs rotate among several locations, and this trail is one of our favorites. Plus, we run there every 4th Sunday of the month.

We always meet at the Ehrlich Road Trailhead.

Breakfast after both runs is at Florida Cracker Fish Company, which is located right next to the trailhead.

Ehrlich Road Trail Head

Where: Ehrlich Road, behind Citrus Park Cafe, 7512 Ehrlich Road. See map below for directions to parking/meetup location.

Time: We meet up at 7 a.m.; however, it’s not uncommon for some people to start early and circle back to meet the rest at 7:00, particularly in hot weather. The Saturday run is from 7 to 9 a.m. The run on the 4th Sunday is from 7 to 8 a.m.

Trail: This asphalt-paved trail is 7 miles long, much of it shaded.

Restrooms: McDonald’s one mile south from the start, at Wilsky Trail Head, 2.5 miles from start, and at the Channel Park Trail head, 5 miles from start. ***Note, you must take the cutoff by the brown bench to get to the Wilsky Trail Head. It’s only .1 from the bench.

Parking: No fee.

Early starts: No gate at this location; enter the parking lot at any time. No lights, here; need headlight and reflective clothing for early starts.

Breakfast: Breakfast after at the Florida Cracker Fish Company, next to trailhead. Citrus Park Cafe is another option, also at the trail head.

Channel Park Trail Head

This information is provided as a service. Run Tampa does not currently have group runs from this trail head.

Where: Channel Park Trailhead, 9201 West Waters Avenue

Trail: Asphalt-paved 7-mile linear trail, about 1/3 shaded

Water: Kiosks every 2.5 miles.

Restrooms: At Channel Park and at the Wilsky Trail Head

Parking: $2.

Lutz Lake Fern Trailhead

Informational only. Run Tampa does not currently have group runs from this location.

Where: 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Odessa

Trail: Asphalt-paved 5-mile linear trail, some shade, but it does connect on the north end to the Suncoast Trail, allowing for many more miles.

Water: kiosks every 2.5 miles

Restrooms: at parking lot

Parking: $2

Early starts: The parking lot is gated, but they do not close the gates, making it possible to park there to start early.

***Coach Deb is working with community leaders and the County Commission to encourage them to Close the Gap, connecting the two segments of the trail. Scroll below these photos to see the PD&E Plan. The project is far, far, far behind schedule. Please keep emailing the Board of County Commissioners to ask that they keep it going forward. It seems when the runners and cyclists are quiet, the process either stops or slows, significantly.

Click any maps/photos to enlarge.