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MTB Trails on Boston South Shore and New England

Regional Bike Path Guide


Ready to set out on a bicycling adventure? Well, here's a curated list of some bike paths to try. Now we've tried to keep the list to paths & trails 5 miles or longer in length - but there are certainly many more paths under 5 miles if that's your speed.  If that's what you're looking for, we suggest doing a search for your local area on TrailLink.com, a truly great resource finding trails of all sizes & types.  And remember, most of these paths on this list are "out-n-back" routes, so whatever distance you pedal "out" you'll have to ride that same distance to get "back". Hey, it's easy to forget...
Here's a quick check list of things to do & bring before you set out:
  • Make sure your bike is in proper working condition. Air up the tires and make sure the chain is lubed. Be sure to pack a spare tube & small pump - and know how to use them.
  • Dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing as the temperature dictates. A small stuff-able windbreaker can also be a life saver if the weather turns a bit nasty.
  • Put on the sunscreen and think about using bug spray too.
  • Bring plenty of water and pack some snacks.
  • Be sure the ole cell phone is charged up and ready to go. Not only will you be taking countless photos with it, that map app might come in handy when you forget which way is north and which way is south. (Hint: it's that way.)
  • Speaking of apps, you might consider upgrading to TrailLinks premium app if you're going to give this all a serious go. The free version of the app is awesome - and the paid version is even that much better. Being able to track yourself "live" within the map tool is pretty cool. So is the ability to download maps and view them when you're off-line. 
  • And finally... absolutely, positively WEAR A HELMET.

And if you're interested in learning about cycling gear you might want to consider on longer rides, read these two quick little articles:
> Cycling Clothing & Gear 101 and > Casual Bike & Gear Adventure Guide
If you're certain your bike isn't in proper working condition and you'd like a professional tune it up, we do can do that:
 > Tune Ups & Maintenance Service 
(*Just remember that Bike Services can take a few days and even longer during our busy season. Bring your bike in sooner than later.)

If you're certain your bike is so old that it isn't even worth getting  tuned-up, then maybe it's time to think about getting a new bicycle. Here's a list of bikes more than capable of providing bike path fun. And remember, all new bike purchases come with 1-year of FREE adjustments.  We want you to enjoy the ride.
 > Great Bikes for Bike Paths - In Stock Now
 

REGIONAL BIKE PATHS

Name

Path Length

 

Air Line State Park Trail

States: Connecticut
 
Trail end points: CT–MA state line near E. Thompson Road, 0.7 mile east of New Road (East Thompson CT) and Main St. between Summit St. and Walnut Ave. (East Hampton CT)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 54.6 miles

Blackstone River Greenway / Rhode Island section

States: Rhode Island
 
Trail end points: Rivers Edge Parking Area on the western bank of the Blackstone River (Woonsocket RI) and Tockwotton Park (Providence RI).
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW 

up to 19.5 miles

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Northwest Expressway and River Meadow Brook (Lowell/Chelmsford MA) and South of Weatherbee St. (Acton MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 11.7 miles

Cape Cod Canal Bikeway

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: (South of canal) Old Monument Neck Rd. to Freezer Rd. and (North of canal) Canal St. to Scusset Beach Rd.
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW  

up to 13.9 miles

Cape Cod Rail Trail

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Route 134 (South Dennis MA) and Lecount Hollow Road between Kincaid St. and US 6 (Wellfleet MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 27.5 miles

Charles River Bike Path

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Museum of Science at Charles River Dam Rd., between Museum Way and Nashua St. (Boston MA) and Prospect St., 0.1 mile northwest of Crescent St. (Waltham MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW  

up to 22.9 miles

East Bay Bike Path

States: Rhode Island
 
Trail end points: Thames St. and Oliver St. in Independence Park (Bristol RI) and Tockwotton St. and India St. at India Point Park (Providence RI)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 14.3 miles

Hop River State Park Trail

States: Connecticut
 
Trail end points: Colonial Rd. and Parker St. (Manchester CT) and Columbia Ave./CT 66 at the Willimantic River bridge (Willimantic CT)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW  

up to 20 miles

Minuteman Commuter Bikeway

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Alewife MBTA Station (West Cambridge MA) and South Road (Bedford MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 10.1 miles

Nashua River Rail

States: Massachusetts, New Hampshire
 
Trail end points: Park St. and Main St. (Ayer MA) and Gilson Rd. at Country Side Dr. (Nashua NH)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW  

up to 12.3 miles

Neponset River Greenway

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Tenean Beach at Conley St. and I-93/MA 3/US 1 (Dorchester MA) and Brush Hill Road and Neponset Valley Pkwy. (Readville MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 8.2 miles

Northern Rail Trail

States: New Hampshire
 
Trail end points: Spencer St. near Parkhurst St. (Lebanon NH) and River Road, 0.25 mile north of US 4/King St. (Boscawen NH)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW  

up to 57.6 miles

Old Colony Rail Trail

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Cape Cod Rail Trail northeast of Main St. (Harwich MA) and Depot Rd. and Hitching Post Rd. (Chatham MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 8 miles

Province Lands Bike Trail

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Herring Cove Beach on Province Lands Rd. and Race Point Rd. (Provincetown MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW  

up to 7.7 miles

Shining Sea Bikeway

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: CR 151 (Falmouth MA) and Steamship Authority, Crane St. (Woods Hole MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 10.7 miles

Southern New England Trunkline Trail

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Grove St. nr. Franklin State Forest (Franklin MA) and Douglas State Forest at MA-CT state line (Douglas MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW   

up to 22 miles

Upper Charles Trail

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Whitney Street (Holliston / Sherborn MA) and Cedar St./SR 85 (Hopkinton / Milford MA)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 13.2 miles

Washington Secondary Bike Path

States: Rhode Island
 
Trail end points: Dead end of Depot Ave., near its intersection with Cory Ave. (Cranston RI) and Railroad St. and Log Bridge Rd. (Coventry RI)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW   

up to 19.2 miles

William C. O'Neill Bike Path

States: Rhode Island
 
Trail end points: West Kingston Station at Railroad Ave. and Kingstown Rd. (West Kingston RI) and Mumford Rd. and Riverside Dr. (Narragansett RI)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW

up to 7.2 miles

Woonasquatucket River Greenway

States: Massachusetts
 
Trail end points: Finance Way and Francis St. (Providence RI) and Lyman Ave. (Johnston RI)
 
Learn More: 
> GENERAL OVERVIEW   

up to 6.8 miles