Eagle Loop, Robinson Preserve

Mar 2025 update. Due to hurricane damage in October 2024, the connecting bridge between the Osprey Trail and Eagle Trail remains closed.

Runners find the sun-drenched Eagle Loop in the middle of Robinson Preserve perfect for training.

It boasts a pedestrian-only cushioned recycled-rubber path and surprising elevation changes along the part of its route on a man-made island.

The overall loop circles an enormous restored wetland area on what was once agricultural land, but the inner loop on the island is the most compelling part of the trail for a hike.

Shelter atop the highest hill in Robinson Preserve

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Palma Sola
Length: 0.7 mile inner loop, 2 mile full circuit
Trailhead: 27.509647, -82.664976
Address: 10299 99th St NW, Bradenton
Fees: Free
Restroom: Near the north end of the parking area
Land Manager: Manatee County
Phone: 941-742-5923

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. The trail system has accessible surfaces, including graded pathway and recycled rubber, but has steep grades.

Kayak rentals available. Picnic pavilions may also be rented.

Directions

From US 41 in downtown Bradenton, follow Manatee Ave (SR 64) west 4 miles to 75th St W. Turn right and continue north 1.3 miles to 17th Ave NW. Drive west 1.5 miles. Turn left onto 99th Ave and pass the preserve’s North Entrance. Continue a half mile along 99th Ave to the South Entrance. Turn right. The road splits. Take the right fork to the parking area adjoining the kayak condos and launch and park at the far end.

Hike

Start from the parking area adjoining the southern kayak launch and kayak condos.

Walk to the northwest corner with the small screened picnic pavilion to join a short stretch of the broad Anhinga Trail towards the bridge you see up ahead.

Turn off at the gate into the Eagle Loop, posted with No Bicycles and Foot Traffic only signs.

Entrance to the Eagle Loop from the Anhinga Trail at South Entrance parking

Make a left onto the unusual bouncy recycled rubber surface, a treadway that takes some getting used to after hiking hardpacked footpaths.

It leads to and crosses the bridge to the island, undoubtedly a series of spoil piles now blanketed in grasses and scattered native shrubs and cabbage palms.

Rubberized footpath

Newly planted mangroves were in place along the shoreline on our visit. Eventually they’ll obscure direct views of the water but they’ll provide a natural buffer against erosion.

At the fork in the trail, bear right to walk the island’s perimeter, sweeping along the waterway where kayakers launch into the greater system of water trails in the preserve.

Curve with a wetlands view

After a long curve, an expansive view opens across wetlands being cultivated in what was once farmland.

Glance left to note how the landscape has risen sharply to a forested hilltop. That’s where this trail is eventually headed.

Peak of the hill

Along the edge of the big wetland, it’s open and sunny and windswept. Sea oxeye dances in the breeze. The pathway gently gains elevation.

Sweeping around the next curve, a bridge across the water is now visible, part of the outer rim of the Eagle Loop closer to the NEST.

The outer Eagle Loop follows the far shore

Keep climbing around the curve, pavilions on the hilltop in view. They provide the only shade along this hike.

At 0.4 mile, meet the next trail junction with a bridge to the right. It leads to the full outer Eagle Loop and the restrooms at the south end of the parking lot.

Junction to outer Eagle Loop and restrooms

To loop the island instead, make a left. Ascend steeply to a shaded bench at pavilion 17, which the trail sweeps around on a curve. Keep climbing.

Looking downhill, it’s obvious the path makes a series of switchbacks to reach the crest.

Climb to Pavilion 17

At the highest point are a pair of benches under a pavilion and an outstanding panorama of the entire restoration area encompassed by the Eagle Loop.

Panorama at the peak

Continue around to pavilion 15 and examine the far north horizon. It may take a moment to spot it, but look for the observation tower in the distance.

Beyond it, the Sunshine State Skyway bridge over Tampa Bay looms over the treeline, seeming surprisingly close as seen from this high point.

View from hilltop with suspension bridge on horizon

The Sunshine Skyway bridge is on the far horizon above treeline

Descend past the cedars and palms topping the hillside. Unlike the climb, this side isn’t tightly switchbacked.

It curves gently through the reforestation towards the glimmer of water below. Soon the bridge you originally crossed to reach the island is visible.

Pathway snaking down a hillside to a bridge

Descending the hillside gently to the bridge

Take in one final panorama of the open marsh. Reaching the base of the hill, meet the original trail junction at the start of the loop. Cross the bridge.

At this point, having the high point of the Eagle Loop behind you, decide if you want to do the outer loop. As it was late afternoon and in full sun, we didn’t.

Bridge from island to the outer loop

However, if you’re looking for more miles, stay on the rubberized path for a 0.9 mile outer circuit of the wetlands you saw from the island.

The Eagle Loop mainly stays on a high berm, with connectivity to the Spoonbill Trail near pavilion 20.

Pavilion 20 near the connection to the Spoonbill Trail

Near pavilion 19, there is also a connection to the Heron Trail, which leads to the NEST. Beyond that pavilion are the bridges you saw in the distance from the island.

The Eagle Loop returns to this same parking area near the restrooms, meeting the bridge to the island on its far side.

Launch and picnic area at South Trailhead as seen from the island bridge

Leaving the Eagle Loop for the limerock pathway beyond the gate, aim up the Anhinga Trail to the screened picnic shelter to exit to the parking area.

Depending on your route, complete either a 0.7 mile hike (just the island) or a 2 mile hike (the island loop and the full Eagle Loop).

Waterway along the Anhinga Trail en route to the parking lot

Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about Robinson Preserve

Robinson Preserve Edging Tampa Bay, the vast sweep of Robinson Preserve is a puzzle of natural and restored habitats circled by more than ten miles of mixed-use trails.

Video

A walk through the island portion of the Eagle Loop

Slideshow

See our photos from this hike

Nearby Adventures

Robinson Preserve NEST Trail Providing access to the Canopy Zone at Robinson Preserve, the NEST Trail is a showy canopy walk with views of the bordering wetlands.

Robinson Preserve Osprey Loop The oldest of the loop trails inside Robinson Preserve, the Osprey Loop offers waterfront views and boardwalks as it skims the southern shore of Tampa Bay.

Neal Preserve Discover the botany and prehistory of Perico Island through excellent interpretation and observation points with outstanding views at Neal Preserve.

Waterfront trail amid sea grapes and mangroves

De Soto National Memorial Interpreting the landing of Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto, De Soto National Memorial occupies a peninsula where the Manatee River flows into Tampa Bay.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website