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Bike TrailsGrab your helmet and a bike and head out on one of the many bicycle trails around the Cape. There's difficulty levels to satisfy everyone, from recreational beginners to expert riders. You get a close-up view of the natural beauty that gives the Cape its unique flavor. From cranberry bogs to dunes, secret ponds to pounding surf, wooded thickets to sunny meadows, the vistas are varied and unspoiled.
This trail, which is an easy 3.6 miles long. starts at Locust and Mill Roads in Falmouth and ends at Railroad Avenue in Woods Hole. It follows the coast with Vineyard Sound views, and includes an absolutely magnificent view of Nobska Light perched on its knoll looking over the ocean. You could also make a little side trip off to the Spohr Gardens (Oyster Pond Road to Fells Road) for the enjoyment of its exquisite beauty.
This trail spans both sides of the canal, one part on the Cape and the other on the Mainland. At stopping places alongside the canal, one can watch tugs, tankers, freighters, fishing boats and pleasure craft. The canal, which was opened in 1914 is now spanned by three bridges, the Bourne and Sagamore bridges for auto and the Railroad Bridge. Originally there was a drawbridge and you may find one of its abutments along the canal banks. There are three access points to the Cape-side trail: the Buzzards Bay Railroad Bridge, the Bourne Bridge and the Sandwich Marina. The Mainland side can be reached at the Railroad Bridge, the Bourne Bridge, Bourne Scenic Park, the recreation area of the Bourne Scenic Highway, under the Sagamore Bridge or at Scusset Beach (some locations charge a nominal fee). Both sides of the Canal are smooth wide roads. The best time to be there is early evening - time it so you can stop and watch a beautiful sunset.
This is the best known bike trail on the Cape - a massive project, involving the paving of 25 miles of the old Penn Central Railroad bed. The path winds through a countryside of forests, marshes, cranberry bogs and ponds, via Harwich, Brewster, cutting through beautiful Nickerson State Park, through to Orleans, Eastham and on to Lecount Hollow Road in Wellfleet. There are many little side excursions you can take. Wildlife abound in the unspoiled woods. Ponds beckon you to take a dip. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic. Explore some of the side paths. There are entrances and parking areas in each of the towns. You can do shorter segments on separate trips, or take a day and try the whole trail. For more information, call (508) 896-3491.
This campground features pristine woodlands and ponds and the lovely scent of pine needles. Its bike trail is 8 miles of easy terrain, and there's plenty of parking at the park entrance on Route 6A. Nickerson encompasses over 2,000 acres, and is a birdwatcher's delight and provides a habitat for local wildlife. You may be able to spot a red fox, white-tailed deer, or a coyote. For more information, call (508) 896-3491.
Starting at the Salt Pond Visitor Center, this 1.6 mile trail winds through groves of apple and locust trees on the way to the old Coast Guard Station perched atop Nauset Marsh, at the edge of the ocean. Looking down the barrier beach, you can conjure up the thoughts of Henry Beston, who wrote The Outermost House on this lonely spit.
This easy two mile trail sails through sand dunes and salt marshes, making its way between High Head Road and the Head of the Meadow Parking Area. The trail has spledid views of the Truro landscape and the Atlantic ocean. Access is from Route 6A in North Truro at the Head of the Meadow Parking Area.
This is the absolute best bike trail on the Cape. It navigates through 8 miles of dunes, ponds and forests on its way to the ocean. There are spurs to Race Point, with its old lifesaving station and to Herring Cove with its famous lighthouse. The trail is rated relatively difficult, so you may want to do shorter segments is you are not up to the full challenge. A picnic, a sunset, some birdwatching in the Beech Forest, all can make the experience a rewarding one.
Here is a list of shops around the Cape that can outfit you for your trip. You can pretty much rent anything you may need, from tandems to children's helmets, child seats to bicycle locks. Some of the hotels and inns provide bicycles for their guests, so ask where you're staying first.
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