Massachusetts bike trails - Boston Moms Blog

There is nothing quite like the feeling of the wind in your hair as you glide along on your bike! If you are looking for the perfect, safe spot for a ride, check out some of these great Massachusetts bike trails with your family!

Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Rail Trail

Fall River :: 1.4 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Britland Park (Wordell St.) and behind UMass CIE (151 Martine St.).

Phoenix Bike Trail

Fairhaven :: 4 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on South St. in the city parking lot at the ferry maintenance dock.

World War II Veterans Memorial Trail

Mansfield :: 1.2 miles, asphalt

Public parking can be found off of Union St. at the Mansfield town square.

Amesbury Riverwalk

Amesbury :: 1.3 miles, asphalt

Trailhead is in Heritage Park. Parking can be accessed from County Rd./Water St. or, at the opposite end, behind the Carriagetown Marketplace shopping center.

Border to Boston Trail

Runs from Peabody to Boxford :: 10.7 miles, crushed stone and dirt

Parking at the Peabody trailhead is available on Lowell St. Parking at the Boxford trailhead is available on Pye Brook Lane.

Bradford Rail Trail

Bradford :: 1.3 miles, asphalt

While there is no designated parking lot for the trail, parking is available along nearby city streets. Trailheads are located at Middlesex St. and South Elm St.

Bridge Street Bike Trail

Salem :: 1 mile, asphalt

Trail runs from March St. to Bridge St. Paid parking is available off of Bridge St. near the MBTA rail station.

Clipper City Rail Trail and Harborwalk

Newburyport :: 3.9 miles, asphalt and boardwalk

Parking is available at Cashman Park (5 Pop Crowley Way) along the waterfront or at the Newburyport MBTA station.

Gloria Braunhardt Bike Path

Newburyport :: 1.2 miles, asphalt, dirt, and grass

Parking is available in the park-and-ride lot on Storey Ave. and on Hale St., a couple hundred yards east of the I-95 overpass.

Haggetts Rail Trail

Andover :: 2 miles, crushed stone

A parking lot is located right next to the southern trailhead, off of Haggetts Pond Rd.

Independence Greenway

Peabody :: 5.3 miles, asphalt

Parking at the northwestern trailhead is available on Russell St. and at the Northshore Mall trailhead on Essex Center Dr.

Marblehead Rail Trail

Runs from Marblehead to Salem :: 4 miles, asphalt, dirt, gravel, and sand

Parking on the Marblehead trailhead is available on either side of Round House Rd.

Methuen Rail Trail

Runs from Lawrence to Salem :: 2.4 miles, crushed stone

Parking is available on Hampshire Rd. in Salem, at the Methuen Railroad Depot (on the corner of Railroad and Union St.), and at Manchester Street Park (77 Manchester St.) in Lawrence.

Northern Strand Community Trail

Runs from Everett to Saugus :: 8 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

Old Eastern Marsh Trail

Salisbury :: 1.4 miles, asphalt

A parking lot is available on Friedenfels St.

Salem-Beverly Canal Path (Grand Wenham Canal Path)

Runs from Topsfield to Wenham :: 2 miles, dirt and grass

Parking is available off of Cherry St. in Wenham.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation Trail

Salisbury :: .6 miles, crushed stone and grass

Parking can be found in the Salisbury Beach State Reservation (Beach Road Route 1A).

Salisbury Point Ghost Trail

Salisbury :: 1.8 miles, crushed stone

Parking areas are located at Lion’s Park and on Bartlett St. and Rabbit Rd.

Salisbury Rail Trail Connector

Salisbury :: .3 miles, asphalt

A parking area is available on Friedenfels Rd. off of US Route 1 in Salisbury.

Spicket River Greenway

Runs from Derry, NH, through Methuen and Lawrence :: 3.5 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Manchester Street Park (77 Manchester St., Lawrence).

Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

Runs from Lanesboro to Adams :: 11.9 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on the left and right sides of US 7/MA 8 Connector Rd. at the Lanesboro trailhead. Parking is available on Depot St. at the Adams trailhead.

Assabet River Rail Trail

Runs through Marlborough, Hudson, Maynard, and Acton :: 8.6 miles, asphalt

Parking at the Acton trailhead is available on Maple St., parking at the Maynard trailhead (Ice House Landing) is available on Winter St., parking at the Hudson trailhead is located on MA 62/Wilkins St., and parking in Marlborough is available on Hudson St. (the trail ends .3 miles to the south of the parking area).

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Runs from Chelmsford to Acton :: 11.7 miles, asphalt

The trail begins at the northern trailhead with a tunnel under the Northwest Expressway/US 3. The trail has a designated parking area in the office building parking lot on MA 110 W/Chelmsford St.

Center Trail

Hopkinton :: .6 miles, crushed stone

Limited parking for the Center Trail can be found at the Hopkinton school complex athletic fields on Loop Rd. (off Hayden Rowe St.).

Charles River Bike Path

Runs from Boston to Waltham :: 22.9 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at the Boston trailhead in the Museum of Science parking garage, and at the Cooper St. parking lot in Waltham.

Cochituate Rail Trail

Runs from Framingham to Natick :: Currently 1.1 miles, asphalt

The Cochituate Rail Trail is a developing, multi-use trail that will run from the Village of Saxonville in Framingham to Natick Center. When complete, it will span a distance of four miles.

Concord River Greenway

Lowell :: 2 miles, asphalt

A parking lot with bike racks is available on Lawrence Street.

Fresh Pond Bikeway

Cambridge :: .7 miles, asphalt

Parking is available near Kingsley Park (250 Fresh Pond Pkwy.) and at William G. Maher Park (650 Concord Ave.). The north end of the bikeway is 0.6 miles away from the Alewife T stop and also accessible by bus.

Lowell Canal System Trails

Lowell :: 1.9 miles, asphalt and concrete

Parking is available at the visitor center on Dutton St.

Malden River Greenway

Runs from Malden to Everett :: 2.5 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

There is no official trail parking, but trail users are welcome to park at the Gateway Center (1 Mystic View Rd., Everett).

Mass Central Rail Trail

Runs from Somerville to Leeds :: 38 miles, asphalt, cinder, crushed stone, dirt, and gravel

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938, but the 104-mile corridor is being reborn as a cross-state rail trail. Currently, nearly 40 miles from Boston to Northampton have been converted to trails.

Somerville Community Path, Alewife Linear Park, and Fitchburg Cutoff Path

Begins on Lowell St. in Somerville. Parking is available at the Alewife T station.

Wachusett Greenways Section (Sterling to Barre)

This segmented section begins at the Cider Mill Shops in Sterling. Parking is available on Waushacum Ave. in Sterling, at the Wachusett Reservoir on Thomas St. in Holden, and on Glenwood Rd. in Rutland.

Hardwick Section

This three-mile section of trail runs through open fields and deep woods. Parking is available on Hardwick Rd. Turn right after West Rd. The parking area will be a mowed grassy area on your right. 

Norwottuck Branch (Belchertown to Northampton)

This 10-mile section also connects Hadley and Amherst. Parking is available on Warren Wright Rd. in Belchertown and on Mill Lane in Amherst, along with many smaller parking locations along the trail.

Francis P. Ryan Bikeway

This section travels through Look Park in Northampton, through Florence, and ends in Leeds. Parking is available at Look Park.

Minuteman Commuter Bikeway

Runs from West Cambridge to Bedford :: 10.1 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at the Bedford Depot Park or at the Alewife T Station. A Blue Bikes bike-share station is located at the Alewife Station. Pick up the trail on the north side of the terminal.

Mystic River Greenway

Runs from Somerville to Arlington :: 4 miles, asphalt and boardwalk

Parking is available at Draw Seven Park (Noonan Place, Somerville), at Blessing of the Bay Boat House (32 Shore Dr., Somerville), and in the Mystic River Reservation on Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford. The trail is also accessible from the Assembly T stop.

Narrow-Gauge Rail Trail

Bedford :: 3 miles, asphalt, crushed stone and dirt

Parking is available on Loomis St. and on Sweetwater Ave.

Nashua River Rail Trail

Runs from Ayer to Nashua, New Hampshire :: 12.3 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on Country Side Dr. in Nashua, on Main St. in East Pepperell, on Sand Hill Rd. in Groton, and on Groton St. in Ayer.

North Bank Bridge

Runs from Cambridge to Charlestown :: .5 miles, concrete

Public transportation access to the trail is available via MBTA’s North Station. A limited number of parking spaces are available at the North Point Park entrance.

Northern Strand Community Trail

Runs from Everett to Saugus :: 8 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

Tri-Community Greenway

Runs from Winchester to Stoneham :: 6.6 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at the Wedgemere MBTA Station (25 Mystic Valley Pkwy., Winchester), at Pomeworth Field (12 Calthea St., Stoneham), and in the parking lot on Pleasant St. in Stoneham.

Upper Charles Trail

Runs from the Holliston/Sherborn town line to the Hopkinton/Milford town line :: 13.2 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

Parking is available in Holliston in Blair Square off Front St., in a municipal parking lot off Exchange St., at Fino Field on Sumner St. in Milford, at Louisa Lake Park in Milford, and in the parking lot on Cedar St. in Hopkinton.

Upper Falls Greenway

Newton :: 1 mile, crushed stone

Limited on-street parking is available on Chestnut St.

Watertown-Cambridge Greenway

Watertown :: .7 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Arsenal Park (485 Arsenal St.).

Wellington Greenway

Medford :: 2.5 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Torbert Macdonald State Park (4253 Mystic Valley Pkwy.), and the trail is accessible from the Wellington T stop.

Bay Colony Rail Trail

Needham :: 1.7 miles, crushed stone

Parking is available at Red Wing Bay on the south side of Fisher St.

Pine Tree Brook/Popes Pond Path

Milton :: 2 miles, asphalt, dirt, and woodchips

The best access to the trail is on Sumner St. via Canton Avenue. There are multiple access points throughout the neighborhood and there is on-street parking.

Whitney Spur Rail Trail

Cohasset :: 1.6 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

Parking is available at the MBTA Cohasset Station on Chief Justice Cushing Hwy. There is a $4 fee to park.

Blackstone River Greenway

Runs from South Worcester to Providence, Rhode Island :: 26.6 miles, asphalt, boardwalk, crushed stone, dirt

Parking at the trailhead in Worcester is available on Cliff St. Trail access and parking are also available at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center in Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge. Parking in Woonsocket, RI, is available on Davison Ave. (the parking lot is located just past the Veterans Memorial, and trail access is at the south end of the parking lot). Parking at the Lonsdale trailhead is available at Blackstone River State Park. 

Mass Central Rail Trail

Runs from Somerville to Leeds :: 38 miles, asphalt, cinder, crushed stone, dirt, and gravel

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938, but the 104-mile corridor is being reborn as a cross-state rail-trail. Currently, nearly 40 miles from Boston to Northampton have been converted to trails.

Somerville Community Path, Alewife Linear Park, and Fitchburg Cutoff Path

Begins on Lowell St. in Somerville. Parking is available at the Alewife T station.

Wachusett Greenways Section (Sterling to Barre)

This segmented section begins at the Cider Mill Shops in Sterling. Parking is available on Waushacum Ave. in Sterling, at the Wachusett Reservoir on Thomas St. in Holden, and on Glenwood Rd. in Rutland.

Hardwick Section

This three-mile section of trail runs through open fields and deep woods. Parking is available on Hardwick Rd. Turn right after West Rd. The parking area will be a mowed grassy area on your right. 

Norwottuck Branch (Belchertown to Northampton)

This 10-mile section also connects Hadley and Amherst. Parking is available on Warren Wright Rd. in Belchertown, and on Mill Lane in Amherst, along with many smaller parking locations along the trail.

Francis P. Ryan Bikeway

This section travels through Look Park in Northampton, through Florence, and ends in Leeds. Parking is available at Look Park.

North Central Pathway

Runs from Winchendon to Gardner :: 8.9 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at the Clark Memorial YMCA in Winchendon, and in the parking lot on Old Gardner Rd.

South Spencer Rail Trail

Spencer :: 1.62 miles, crushed stone

Parking is available at the southern trailhead on S. Spencer Rd.

Upper Charles Trail

Runs from the Holliston/Sherborn town line to the Hopkinton/Milford town line :: 13.2 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

Parking is available in Holliston in Blair Square off Front St., in a municipal parking lot off Exchange St., at Fino Field on Sumner St. in Milford, at Louisa Lake Park in Milford, and in the parking lot on Cedar St. in Hopkinton.

Westville Lake Community Trail

Southbridge :: .7 miles, crushed stone

Parking is available in the Westville Recreation Area on Breakneck Rd.

Canalside Rail Trail

Runs from Deerfield to Montague :: 3.6 miles, asphalt

Montague trailhead is in Unity Park. Parking is located in several places, just past Montague Town Hall or at the baseball fields on First St. Parking at the Deerfield trailhead is located at Railroad Yard Rd.

Cape Cod Canal Bikeway

Runs from the visitor center in Buzzards Bay to Sandwich Marina Park :: 13.9 miles, asphalt

Parking lots are located at the Buzzards Bay Visitor Center, the East Canal Lot in the Scusset Beach State Reservation, on Bell Rd. in the Tidal Flats Recreation Area and on Freezer Rd. in the Sandwich Marina Park.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet :: 27.5 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on Station Ave. in Yarmouth, and on Lecount Hollow Rd./Maguire Landing in Wellfleet.

Head of the Meadow Trail

Truro :: 2 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Head of the Meadow Beach on Head of the Meadow Rd.

Nauset Trail

Eastham :: 1.6 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at the Salt Pond Visitor Center (50 Nauset Rd.).

Old Colony Rail Trail

Runs from Harwich to Chatham :: 8 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on Hitching Post Rd. in Chatham.

Province Lands Bike Trail

Provincetown :: 7 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Herring Cove Beach, and at Race Point Beach, Beech Forest Trail, or the Province Lands Visitor Center on Race Point Rd.

Shining Sea Bikeway

Runs from Falmouth to Woods Hole :: 10.7 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on Depot Rd. in Falmouth, and there is a free parking lot in Woods Hole between the Church St. and Nobska Rd. bridges. On-street, metered parking is also available on Water St. and Luscombe Ave.

Charles River Bike Path

Runs from Boston to Waltham :: 22.9 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at the Boston trailhead in the Museum of Science parking garage, and at the Cooper St. parking lot in Waltham.

East Boston Greenway

East Boston :: 2.8 miles, asphalt

Most easily accessed by the Blue Line (Maverick, Orient Heights, or Wood Island stations). Parking is available at Constitution Beach, on Barnes Ave.

Neponset River Greenway

Runs from Dorchester to Readville :: 8.2 miles, asphalt

Parking is available at Tenean Beach on Conley St., or at the Mattapan MBTA station.

South Bay Harbor Trail

Boston :: 3.8 miles, asphalt, boardwalk, brick, and concrete

Access to the trail is most easily available via the MBTA subway system. Bikes are allowed on the MBTA, just not during rush hours (7–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. weekdays) due to crowding. The west end of the trail begins at Ruggles Station (at the intersection of Ruggles St. and Tremont St.) on the Orange Line. Mid-trail, the route passes the Broadway Station (at the intersection of Dorchester Ave. and Broadway), on the Red Line. Near the east end of the trail, South Station is located across the Summer St. bridge, on the Red Line.

Southwest Corridor Park (Pierre Lallement Bike Path)

Runs from Boston to Jamaica Plain :: 4.1 miles, asphalt

The northern trailhead is at the Back Bay T station on Dartmouth St., and the southern trailhead is at Forest Hills T station on Washington St. Paid parking is available at these locations.

Chicopee River Canal Rail Trail

Chicopee :: .21 miles, asphalt

On-street parking spaces can be found at the trailhead on Front St. across from the Chicopee City Hall Annex.

Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

Westfield :: 2.4 miles, asphalt

A parking lot is available behind the Shaker Farms Country Club (866 Shaker Rd.).

Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway

Runs from Springfield to Agawam :: 5.4 miles, asphalt

Parking is available in Springfield at North Riverfront Park (121 West St.) and at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1000 Hall Fame Ave.). Parking at the Agawam trailhead is located at Borgati Park (257 River Rd., Agawam).

Redstone Rail Trail

East Longmeadow :: 1.4 miles, asphalt

Access to the trail and parking can be found in three locations: on the northern end along Maple St. near the East Longmeadow Rotary; mid-trail off Chesnut St.; and on the southern end at Denslow St.

Southwick Rail Trail

Westfield :: 6.5 miles, asphalt

Parking is available on Congamond Rd.

Goose Pond Path

Nantucket :: .1 miles, asphalt

Trailheads are located at Washington St. Extension and Goose Pond Lane.

Hanover Branch Rail Trail

Runs from Abington to Rockland :: 2.6 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

A parking lot is available in Rockland at the intersection of Union St. and E. Water St.

Mattapoisett Rail Trail

Mattapoisett :: 1.1 miles, asphalt

Access the Mattapoisett Rail Trail from Brandt Island Rd. or from the Phoenix Bike Trail.

Whitney Spur Rail Trail

Cohasset :: 1.6 miles, asphalt and crushed stone

Parking is available at the MBTA’s Cohasset Station on Chief Justice Cushing Highway. There is a $4 fee to park.

Manhan Rail Trail

Runs from Easthampton to Northampton :: 9.6 miles, asphalt

Public parking is available at the Northampton trailhead at Veterans Field on West St. Parking at the Easthampton trailhead is located at Millside Park.

Mass Central Rail Trail

Runs from Somerville to Leeds :: 38 miles, asphalt, cinder, crushed stone, dirt, and gravel

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938, but the 104-mile corridor is being reborn as a cross-state rail trail. Currently, nearly 40 miles from Boston to Northampton have been converted to trails.

Somerville Community Path, Alewife Linear Park, and Fitchburg Cutoff Path

Begins on Lowell St. in Somerville. Parking is available at the Alewife T station.

Wachusett Greenways Section (Sterling to Barre)

This segmented section begins at the Cider Mill Shops in Sterling. Parking is available on Waushacum Ave. in Sterling, at the Wachusett Reservoir on Thomas St. in Holden, and on Glenwood Rd. in Rutland.

Hardwick Section

This three-mile section of trail runs through open fields and deep woods. Parking is available on Hardwick Rd. Turn right after West Rd. The parking area will be a mowed grassy area on the right. 

Norwottuck Branch (Belchertown to Northampton)

This 10-mile section also connects Hadley and Amherst. Parking is available on Warren Wright Rd. in Belchertown and on Mill Lane in Amherst, along with many smaller parking locations along the trail.

Francis P. Ryan Bikeway

This section travels through Look Park in Northampton, through Florence, and ends in Leeds. Parking is available at Look Park.

Massachusetts Bike Trails, Paths, and Rail Trails for the Whole Family! _ Boston Moms Blog
Deanna Greenstein
Deanna is a mom of five (yes, five) children, who lives in Brockton with her small circus of kids, her husband, their dog Penny, and a few cats. Her life is loud, energetic, mostly fun, often gross (did she mention four of those kids are boys?), and she wouldn't have it any other way. In between carting kids to school, baseball, gymnastics, guitar, dance, track and field and every other kid activity known to mankind, she works as a school bus driver for the city of Brockton, and is the Director of Religious Education at the Unity Church of North Easton, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Deanna also holds degrees in Elementary Physical Education and Dance Education, which she plans to put back into use one day. At parties, Deanna can often be found hanging out with family pets. She follows her children around with a camera like the paparazzi, is pretty sure that 97% of her blood stream is made of coffee, and her laundry is never done. You can also find her blogging at https://eighteenmoreyearsofburpsandfarts.wordpress.com