Bike rides in Massachusetts

Explore 6 rail-trail, greenway and park ride options in Massachusetts, with route lengths, surfaces, access notes and starting locations. These are selected recreational outings, not an exhaustive trail inventory. Read each guide’s scope and access cautions before choosing a ride.

6 ride guides · alphabetical order

• Cape Cod Rail Trail — Route 134 head: short bicycle return

  South Dennis

  Up to 4 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved main rail-trail

  Follow the signed main path east toward Harwich. Turn after 2 outward miles or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Charles River Esplanade: short Boston-bank bicycle return

  Boston

  Up to 2 miles return · Out and back

  Improved shared bicycle path

  Walk your bicycle over the Fiedler Footbridge to the mainland shared bike path near the Hatch Shell. Ride west up to one mile and retrace on that path. Walk all footbridges and do not cycle onto the islands.

• Cochituate Rail Trail — Mechanic Street: short bicycle return

  Natick

  Up to 2 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved main rail-trail

  Follow the signed main path north toward Framingham. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Manhan Rail Trail — Payson Avenue: short bicycle return

  Easthampton

  Up to 2 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved rail-trail, with possible roots / dips

  Follow the signed main path north on the signed main Manhan toward the Northampton connection. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Minuteman Bikeway: Bedford Depot to before Wiggins Avenue

  Bedford

  About1.8miles main return plus parking walk · Out and back

  Asphalt shared-use rail-trail

  Start beside Bedford's historic depot, follow the paved Minuteman southeast into the wooded corridor and turn before Wiggins Avenue. This modest return offers a sample of the bikeway without continuing into Lexington or crossing Wiggins Avenue.

• Shining Sea — County Road head: short bicycle return

  North Falmouth

  Up to 4 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved main bikeway

  Follow the signed main path south toward Falmouth. Turn after 2 outward miles or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.