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Biking
Cycling enthusiasts as well as recreational bikers love the many
biking options that Cape Cod has to offer. People flock to the
Cape’s trails on sunny summer days, which are perfect for short
rides or all-day adventures. Bicycles are also popular means of
transportation around the beach and town. There are numerous
rental and repair shops, most of which are located on or near
the trails, so you’ll never have to worry about finding a bike
or fixing a flat tire.
Bike Trails
Cape Cod
Canal Bikeway,
Bourne and Sandwich
Check out the boats passing through the canal as you enjoy this 7-plus
mile stretch of paved road. The trail is primarily flat and is
located on both sides of the canal (both the mainland and Cape
Cod sides). Inline skating, walking, and jogging are also
popular on the trail. On the Cape side, it stretches from the
Sandwich marina area, where there is plenty of free public
parking, to the end in Bourne at the railroad bridge. On the
mainland side, it stretches from Scusset Beach to Buzzards Bay,
and there are several parking areas along the way off of the
Scenic Highway/Route 6.
Shining
Sea Trail,
Falmouth
This trail
winds along Vineyard Sound in Falmouth, starting in Falmouth
village and ending in Woods Hole. It winds through marshes and
bypasses the Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary. It is beautiful and
mostly flat to ride, jog, walk, or skate. The 3.3 mile trail is
accessible to many Falmouth beaches along the way, so bring your
bathing suit.
Cape Cod
Rail Trail,
Dennis to Wellfleet
Cape Cod Rail Trail Map
Stretching across much of the Cape and through the towns of
Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet, in
that order, it is a long, flat trail. About twenty-five miles in
length, it is a prime choice for runners, walkers, joggers,
in-line skaters, equestrians, and especially bikers. The scenery
is not only beautiful but also diverse, as the recreational
trail rider will see several different towns and their
distinctive scenery; the forests and lakes of Dennis and
Brewster make way to the sand dunes and scrub bushes of Eastham
and Wellfleet.
An
optional side-route into Chatham is accessible from a split in
the trail in Harwich.
In Dennis,
there is a parking lot off of Route 134, which is accessible
from exit 8A on Route 6 in Dennis. In South Wellfleet, there is
a parking lot on Lecount’s Hollow Road, which is on the right
off of Route 6. Several other parking lots and bike shops along
the way provide accessibility and assistance, and there are
several stops to be made, including a couple of trail-side shops
and stores and a rendezvous in downtown Orleans.
Nickerson State Park Network,
Brewster
Accessible
from both the Cape Cod Rail Trail and state park parking lots,
this eight mile trail offers hilly, forested riding to anyone
looking for an extraordinary afternoon of Cape recreation. Most
of the ride is through pine forest, including several detours
around ponds and bogs. Driving east towards Orleans on Route 6A,
the two parking lots are located consecutively on the right, the
first holding 15-20 cars and the location of the Idle Times Bike
Shop satellite facility, which provides bicycle repair and a
limited selection of parts and accessories. The second lot holds
about 30-50 cars. The trail is accessible both to and from
campsites and picnic sites along the way.
National
Seashore Network,
Eastham
This trail offers a winding, beautiful ride or walk through salt
marshes, cedar, pine and oak groves, and rolling countryside.
One highlight is the long wooden boardwalk bridge crossing Salt
Pond, which is a great resting spot and lookout; another is the
end of the trail at the Coast Guard Station and Coast Guard
Beach, which offers breathtaking, panoramic views and public
beach access. Parking is at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in
Eastham. From Route 6 East, bear right at the sign for the
National Seashore and take an immediate right into the parking
lot.
The
Provincelands,
Provincetown
Take a ride through the dunes of Provincetown as this
extraordinary 5.25 mile loop leads you through the hills and
dunes of Cape Cod’s famous Province Lands. Explore marshes,
saltwater kettle ponds, beaches, and cranberry bogs as you
experience the breathtaking scenery of much of the tip of Cape
Cod. Two trail extensions can be taken, the first a short trip
to Herring Cove Beach and the other a longer detour to Race
Point and Bennet Pond. Should you take these extensions, they
add about two miles to the five-plus of the Provincelands loop.
Parking is at the Province Lands Visitor Center, which in itself
is an attraction but also provides ample parking year-round,
even in the busy summer months.
Massachusetts state law requires all people
under the age of 16 to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle |
