Biking, Walking & Trails

01 · Trail Centerpiece

The Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail is a paved, mostly flat rail-trail running between Sarasota and Venice along a former railroad corridor, roughly 18 miles end to end. The North Extension opened in March 2022 and carries the trail into downtown Sarasota at Payne Park. It's open year-round about 6am to sunset, it's dog friendly, and its asphalt surface suits walkers, runners, cyclists, and families of all ages.

• Free parking at the trailheads.
• Rest stops with benches and displays roughly every mile.
• Mostly flat and fully paved, which makes it one of the most accessible Sarasota walking trails.

About the regional connections. The North Port Connector (about 14 miles) and the Venetian Waterway Park Trail (about 9–10 miles) are separate trail systems that tie into the Legacy Trail network. Think of them as connections that extend the network toward North Port and along Venice's Intracoastal Waterway, rather than as part of the Legacy Trail itself. A planned regional system is gradually linking these pieces together.

02 · Where to Start

Legacy Trail Trailheads

Trailheads run north to south from downtown Sarasota to Venice. Amenities vary by trailhead, so never assume every facility is at every stop: check the county's trailhead pages for the current details before you plan around a restroom or water fountain. Parking is free at all of these trailheads.

03 · Best For

Best For & Suggested Experiences

The Legacy Trail is best for walking, casual biking, longer rides, families, dog walking, and accessible recreation. The paved, mostly flat surface keeps it easy for all ages and abilities.

• Easy 3 to 5 mile outing from a mid-trail trailhead like Osprey Junction or Sarasota Springs.
• Morning ride near Payne Park, where the downtown start meets the trail.
• Full Sarasota-to-Venice ride, roughly 18 miles one way. Plan water, snacks, and shade for a day-long outing.
• Walk and lunch at the Historic Venice Train Depot and Legacy Park end of the trail, or near Osprey.
• Family-friendly section with a playground at Payne Park for a short, easy loop.

04 · Venice

Venetian Waterway Park Trail

The Venetian Waterway Park Trail is a paved, multi-use trail running along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice, about 5 miles per side, roughly 10 miles total. It connects directly to the Legacy Trail at the Historic Venice Train Depot. Benches, picnic shelters, grills, dog clean-up stations, and restrooms sit at various points along the way, and it's good for walking, biking, dog walking, and birding.

Some access points close periodically. A recent closure affected the Harbor Drive and Caspersen Beach access, so confirm your entry point is open before you head out.

05 · Nearby Trails & Parks

More Places to Ride

• Oscar Scherer State Park, Nokomis/Osprey. The Legacy Trail passes through the park. Beyond the rail-trail, the park itself offers additional nature trails, wildlife viewing, restrooms, and picnic areas, with a park entry fee.
• Payne Park, Sarasota. The downtown city park at the Legacy Trail's northern end, with tennis courts, a skate park, a playground, and paved paths.
• North Port Connector. About 14 miles of trail linking the system toward North Port. It's a connection and planned regional expansion of the trail network, not part of the Legacy Trail proper, but worth watching as it comes online.