Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Mashpee, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Overview The Old Colony Rail Trail is named after the railroad line that operated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. At 8 miles, the trail offers a serene journey through quiet Cape Cod beach towns. The trail is suitable for a short ride out and back, or a longer journey when combined with the Cape Cod Rail Trail. About the Route The eastern point of the trail starts at Depot Road, in the center of Chatham, across from the fire station and adjacent to Veterans Field, home of the Chatham Anglers baseball team of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Here you will find ample parking in the elementary school lot across the street, a large playground, and rest rooms just a short walk down the hill at the Chatham Community Center. The route, in general, is flat, family-friendly, and easily managed. The first 1.5 miles of the trail is mostly on quiet quaint streets with slight vehicular activity. The reminder of the trail is on an off-road dedicated child-safe bike path. Inexperienced cyclists should face few difficulties. Should you wish to bi-pass the first 1.2 miles share-the-road portion of the trail, you can park at the Chatham Airport on George Ryder Road or the parking lot at the corner of Meetinghouse Road (Route 137) and Main Street (Route 28). If you start at Depot Road, begin by proceeding down Hitching Post Road for 0.2 mile, then turn left onto Tip Cart Drive. At the bottom of the hill, cross over Crowell Road to join the first segment of the off-road trail. The trail passes tennis and pickle ball courts, basketball court and parking lot through a short wooded area emerging to cross Stepping Stones Road. At the bottom of Stepping Stones Road continue straight across the intersection and onto Wilfred Road. This on -street portion of the trail is only 0.6 mile and Wildred Road is a quiet neighborhood street with scarcely any vehicle traffic. The off-street trail continues at the end of Wilfred Road. Here the trail begins its loop around the Chatham Airport before pausing at George Ryder Road where signage directs you to turn right to continue on the Old Colony Rail Trail or left for the short ride to West Chatham. This section of the Old Colony Rail Trail offers a unique view of this small airport used primarily for personal small aircraft. Lunch can be obtained at the airport restaurant or a short ride to West Chatham and rest rooms and water bottle fill are available at the police station located across from the airport hanger on George Ryder Road. After crossing George Ryder Road, and passing a rest area with picnic table, the remaining 5.4 miles of the trail remain off-road. While there are several cross streets along the way, the trail, in general, is peaceful, enjoyable and extremely well maintained. Here you can enjoy the solitude of nature, for the next few miles, interrupted only by other trail users. You will pass a granite post border marker announcing your entry into the town of Harwich from Chatham. Approximately three (3) miles from George Ryder Road is a half-round-about and then crossing over Route 39. While this can be a busy crossing, warning signs alert drivers to slow down and visibility for both trail users and drivers is good. Once crossed, the trail continues past Brooks Park in Harwich Center where there are restrooms and water bottle fill available (in season). Approximately 1.2 miles from this point, the trail reaches its western end at the next roundabout where it connects with the Cape Cod Rail Trail from the north and west.
This path passes through a state park, is shaded, there's quite a decent hill climb and windy section on the north end, but the rest of it is easy.
I love this trail, but right now part of it is closed for utilities repair. It will not be open until March 2025. You can still go for a ride, but you will have to take a detour on the street.
Enjoyed my ride on this trail. One sees the "shining sea" for maybe a mile and a half or so the rest being village, woods, and wetland views. There are some pretty big bumps in some areas due to tree roots. One in particular nearly bounced me off and they are not marked well. So, keep hands tight on handlebars and pay attention. Sandwich shop/bakery in Woods Hole is awesome!
I would want to return due to the diversity of trail. From sea to shining sea, says it all.
Not as scenic as I was hoping for but still a nice ride through the trees. Nice to be on a paved trail too. Many options to pull off the trail for a bite to eat.
Mile 17-7 going south from Woonsocket the trail is marked. Very enjoyable ride.
Great for walking most intersections are low traffic areas. Peace and quiet in the middle of town.
So much of this path is great so it’s unfortunate that the portion of the path nearest Norton is in such a state of disrepair. There are quite literally blocks inserted between the path and the road to fill the gap, but only on one side of the path so if a cyclist chooses the wrong side they will take a lovely concrete spill. Not only that, it’s not always the same side. Sometimes left, sometimes right. I chose poorly and am now the bearer of some lovely watercolor designs all the way up my right side. Had this been temporary, it would be understandable, but a month after the first visit they are still present and repairs are not made. Also, the holes, or planters, or whatever they are, that split the path into right and left are dangerous. After you’ve traversed the gap (maybe you’ve chosen the side with the block and didn’t fall in!), you will then be required to navigate around a water-filled pit. If you’re teetering from choosing the side without a filler block, hope you don’t fall in! (Just fill that in. They’re dangerous and unnecessary. It’s. Bike path, not an English garden.)
This was an absolutely beautiful trail a few crossovers on some busy intersections but most crossings were in small neighborhoods car drivers in these neighborhoods were observant and allowed the bikers to cross Today was a gorgeous day weather wise so lots of walkers and bikers out there no issues. We will definitely be riding this trail many more times
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