Upper Tampa Bay Trail loop

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When you live in the Sunshine State like I do, it is almost easy to take our wonderful weather for granted.

When you count all the good weather days for bicycling, add in all the great weather days, then throw in all the good and great places we have to ride bikes, it is too easy to "accidentally" forget about going to work and take off for a bike ride instead!

One of the most popular routes in Tampa, Florida, is the ***Upper Tampa Bay Trail***. The @photo[southern Trailhead](1331172) of this wide asphalt-paved route currently starts at a shaded parking lot just north of the upper section of [sparkling Tampa Bay](http://ridewithgps.com/photos/large/1071841.jpg) near the Town N Country area of Tampa, and not too far from St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and the Gulf Coast beaches. The first few miles are lined with palm trees and runs parallel to a brackish water channel through which waters from *Rocky Creek* and *Brushy Creek* flow to Tampa Bay.

Between two underpasses – which allow you to bypass two busy roadways – along the channel you'll see a full sevice Trailhead up a small rise, with parking, restrooms, water and soda machines, picnic areas, and horse trailer parking.  Yes, portions of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail include equestrian trails.

Next you will be winding alongside oak and pine trees. Then, you are in the first of several sections where the trees make a canopy of shade over the Trail, and the path winds gently between the trees. Round a curve and you'll find a graceful wooden-arched @photo[through-bridge](1331142) crossing Rocky Creek, then go under the heavy wooden pole @photo[railroad trestle](1331139) that is still actively used and another roadway underpass. After a short climb up from the banks of Rocky Creek, you again wind through a canopy of shade, past @photo[cattails surrounding a pond](1331135).

Shortly, you will encounter a tee on the Trail: going right a couple hundred yards will take you to the @photo[Wilsky Road Trailhead](1331470), with restrooms, water and parking; choosing to turn left at this tee will take you north on the longer leg of the UTBT.  Taking the left option, you will encounter Rocky Creek again, this time with another style @photo[wooden bridge](1331133), more shaded canopy sections, lots more oak, pine and cypress trees. On the west side of this part of the Trail is [Big Cat Rescue](http://bigcatrescue.org/), one of the world's largest accredited sanctuaries for exotic cats (you can see parts of their perimeter wall through the trees!)

The next feature of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, right after a @photo[row of grand old oak trees](1331180), is the @photo[overpass bridge](1331127) crossing Gunn Highway/Citrus Park Drive.  This will be the only real climb on this Trail, and if you decide that you don't want to go see the view from up top, you can bear left at the ramp (@photo[heading north](1331128) or @photo[heading south](1331125)) and take the street-level bypass.  The street-level option is also a great choice if you want to visit any of the dozens of restaurants near this intersection (Chipotle, Smokey Bones, Olive Garden, along with McDonald's and a sub shop) including those at the front of the Westfield Citrus Park Mall (Red Robin, Grimaldi's Pizza) plus its requisite Food Court, which easily accessed next to the parking garage at the rear of the Mall.

The next section provides even more @photo[canopy riding](1331178), and will take you up to Ehrlich Road, where you will often smell seafood cooking at Ballyhoo Grill, along with public parking (just to the east of the Trail, behind a couple of small businesses and accessible of Ehrlich Road via Basswood Avenue — directions below), and a water station. This @photo[Ehrlich Road/Citrus Park Trailhead](1331123) is a popular starting location for rides and runs on the UTBT.

After using the crosswalk to cross Ehrlich Road, you can continue on to the current north end of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. There you will find a @photo[county park](1331186) with restrooms and water.  There is a trail being built to @photo[connect the UTBT with the Suncoast Trail](1331187) a little farther north, and the first half of that connector is finished and open.  More about this and the Suncoast Trail soon!

This multi-use Trail is ready year-round with lots of activities available to outdoor enthusiasts! In addition to @photo[walking](1331146), @photo[running](1331145), @photo[skating](1331174) and obviously bicycling, the UTBT features:
* Bird watching
* Fishing
* Hiking
* Nature study
* Picnic areas
* Picnic tables
* Equestrain trails

# >¦< UTBT Trailhead Locations >¦< 
### • Memorial Trailhead •
[8304 Montague Street, Tampa FL 33635](https://www.google.com/maps/@28.0159741,-82.6071285,16.69z?hl=en)
* Parking
* Water station
* Benches
* Shade	
* @photo[Memorial Trailhead sign](1331471)

### • Channel Park Trailhead •
9201 W. Waters Avenue, Tampa FL 33615
* Parking
* Water fountain & soda machines
* Restrooms
* Benches
* Shade
* @photo[Channel Park Trailhead sign](1331472)

### • Wilsky Boulevard Trailhead •
10314 Wilsky Boulevard, Tampa FL 33625
* Parking
* Water station
* Restrooms
* Shade
* @photo[Wilsky Boulevard Trailhead sign](1331470)

### • Ehrlich Road/Citrus Park Trailhead •
The public parking lot is behind Citrus Computers [7512 Ehrlich Rd, Tampa 33625]. 
Turn south off Ehrlich, just east of Citrus Computers, onto Basswood Ave, and follow the road around to the right into the parking area.
* Parking
* Water station
* Benches
* Shade
* @photo[Citrus Park/Ehrlich Road Trailhead sign](1331469)
        
### • Peterson Road Park Trailhead •
8203 Peterson Road, Odessa FL 33556
* Parking
* Restrooms
* @photo[Peterson Road Park Trailhead](1331186)

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Upper Tampa Bay Trail loop

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