PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Work is moving along on the Orange Belt Trail in Pasco County.
What You Need To Know
The Orange Belt Trail is a planned multi-use trail that will connect with other trails from Trinity to Trilby
It’s named for the old Orange Belt Railroad, which ran from St. Petersburg through Pasco County in the 1800s
Officials say the design of the western portion along Trinity Boulevard is nearly done, with construction expected to begin next year
Pasco County is currently studying how the trail will connect in east Pasco, from U.S. 41 to Dade City
It’s a planned multi-use trail that will connect with other trails from Trinity to Trilby.
It’s named for the old Orange Belt Railroad, which ran from St. Petersburg through Pasco County in the 1800s.
“The Orange Belt Trail began as a concept within the county to see if there was a way we could utilize this amazing corridor that exists,” said project manager Erin Swanson.
Swanson says the design of the western portion along Trinity Boulevard is nearly done, with construction expected to begin next year.
Pasco County is also currently studying how the trail will connect in east Pasco, from U.S. 41 to Dade City, where there are several options.
Map provided by Pasco County
“When done, it’s going to be amazing,” Swanson said. “It’s going to allow folks to travel through our really great county towns and cities, like San Antonio, St. Leo, Dade City and cycle all the way down to the Trinity area. It’s going to be really nice.”
The Orange Belt Trail will have connections to the Starkey Trail, Suncoast Trail, Withlacoochee Trail and also to Florida’s Coast to Coast Trail, which could make Pasco County even more of a biking destination.
Swanson says the study of the eastern connection of the trail should be done next year and the first portion along Trinity Blvd is expected to open in 2027.