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Biking on Cape Cod

Check out our guide to the best bike paths on Cape Cod!

Upper Cape, Falmouth

• Shining Sea Trail. Follow the old Penn Central Railroad line as you travel between Falmouth and Wood Hole on this easygoing paved trail. Along the 3.6 mile route which parallels the shore, views of Vineyard Sound, Martha's Vineyard and Naushon Island follow you. Named in honor of Katherine Lee Bates, composer of "America The Beautiful," the trail does seem to travel "from sea to shining sea." We recommend starting at the trailhead on Locust Street in Falmouth; parking in Woods Hole is limited.
• Side Routes: The Shining Sea Trail connects with other routes at Oyster Pond. The northerly route brings you through Quissett, Sippewissett, West Falmouth, Old Silver Beach and North Falmouth. The easterly route follows the water's edge from Falmouth beach to Menauhant Beach.

Upper Cape, Sandwich

• Cape Cod Canal In Sandwich. Paved service roads edging the canal create an easy-going bike route. On the Cape side of the canal, pedal from Bourne to Sandwich, about 6.8 miles. Or, pick a different starting point, such as the U.S. Engineering Observation Station in Sandwich or from Pleasant Street in Sagamore.
• Shawmee Crowell State Forest, Rt. 130. Walk, bicycle and camp on 742 acres.

Mid Cape to Lower Cape

• Cape Cod Bike Trail. Follow the route of the old main Cape Cod railroad behind the main streets and back roads of 5 Cape towns. The 20-mile trail begins on Route 134 in Dennis, winds through Harwich and Brewster (with a side trip to Nickerson State Park, below), continues through the seaside village of Orleans and offers a satisfying finish in Eastham. From there, the Cape Cod National Seashore trails are a definite "must." Along the way, you will experience the true beauty and glory of Cape Cod...beaches, bogs, kettle ponds, forests, ocean vistas and peaks of the people and places you'll want to visit again and again. A variety of parking areas afford parking at different starting points so you can tailor the length of your tour

Lower Cape, Brewster

• Nickerson State Park. Take a side trip from the Cape Cod bike trail into this beautiful park, featuring paved and dirt trails winding through woods and along 8 freshwater kettle ponds. Swim, fish, picnic. Access from Route 6A.
• Cape Cod National Seashore, Route 6 The Nauset Trail begins at the Salt Pond Visitor Center on Route 6 in Eastham and runs to Coast Guard beach. 1.6 miles.
• Head Of The Meadow Trail runs between High Head Road and the Head of the Meadow Beach parking area in Truro. 2 miles. (Access off the trail to Pilgrim Springs and Pilgrim Lake.)
• Province Lands Trail. 5-1/4 Mile Loop through the rolling dunes of the Province Lands area, leading to Herring Cove Beach on Cape Cod Bay and Race Point Beaches.