Find the top rated walking trails in Nantucket, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Old Colony Rail Trail, named after the eponymous railroad line that operated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, offers a serene journey through quiet Cape Cod beach towns. At 8 miles, the trail is...
The Shining Sea Bikeway follows the route of a former railroad line run by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, which ran service to New York and Boston from 1872 to 1965. After the...
The Mattapoisett Rail Trail is a work in progress. As of autumn 2011, it runs for just more than 1 mile between Reservation Road at Mattapoisett Harbor and the Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven, joining...
The Goose Pond Path, also known as the In-Town Bike Path, offers a short paved route on the charming island of Nantucket, which lies south of Cape Cod. The trail overlooks The Creeks area of Nantucket...
The Phoenix Bike Trail cruises through a mixture of surroundings on its relatively short 4-mile journey from the heart of the historical Fairhaven seaport to woodlands and farms on the outskirts of...
The New Bedford Covewalk, like the HarborWalk further east, sits atop the hurricane barrier built to protect New Bedford residents from storm surges during extreme weather. Even when it's nice out...
Though the idea for a Cape Cod Canal goes back to the settlers of Plymouth Colony, the waterway didn’t begin construction until 1909. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over operation and...
Closure Notice: Starting March 15, 2021, the Lecount Hollow trailhead and parking lot will be closed as the DCR works on extending the trail; please consult the official project site for the latest...
The New Bedford Hurricane Barrier was built to protect New Bedford and nearby villages from storm surge during hurricanes, but also ended up cutting off residents from the water that lay just beyond...
The Nauset Trail offers a winding route through dense Cape Cod woodlands, providing a pleasant respite from the oft-crowded seashore and tourist hubs. The trail is entirely paved, with the notable...
Closure Notice: Starting March 15, 2021, the Lecount Hollow trailhead and parking lot will be closed as the DCR works on extending the trail; please consult the official project site for the latest...
Though the idea for a Cape Cod Canal goes back to the settlers of Plymouth Colony, the waterway didn’t begin construction until 1909. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over operation and...
The New Bedford Hurricane Barrier was built to protect New Bedford and nearby villages from storm surge during hurricanes, but also ended up cutting off residents from the water that lay just beyond...
The New Bedford Covewalk, like the HarborWalk further east, sits atop the hurricane barrier built to protect New Bedford residents from storm surges during extreme weather. Even when it's nice out...
The Nauset Trail offers a winding route through dense Cape Cod woodlands, providing a pleasant respite from the oft-crowded seashore and tourist hubs. The trail is entirely paved, with the notable...
The Phoenix Bike Trail cruises through a mixture of surroundings on its relatively short 4-mile journey from the heart of the historical Fairhaven seaport to woodlands and farms on the outskirts of...
The Goose Pond Path, also known as the In-Town Bike Path, offers a short paved route on the charming island of Nantucket, which lies south of Cape Cod. The trail overlooks The Creeks area of Nantucket...
The Shining Sea Bikeway follows the route of a former railroad line run by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, which ran service to New York and Boston from 1872 to 1965. After the...
The Mattapoisett Rail Trail is a work in progress. As of autumn 2011, it runs for just more than 1 mile between Reservation Road at Mattapoisett Harbor and the Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven, joining...
The Old Colony Rail Trail, named after the eponymous railroad line that operated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, offers a serene journey through quiet Cape Cod beach towns. At 8 miles, the trail is...
The Phoenix Bike Trail cruises through a mixture of surroundings on its relatively short 4-mile journey from the heart of the historical Fairhaven seaport to woodlands and farms on the outskirts of...
The Shining Sea Bikeway follows the route of a former railroad line run by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, which ran service to New York and Boston from 1872 to 1965. After the...
Though the idea for a Cape Cod Canal goes back to the settlers of Plymouth Colony, the waterway didn’t begin construction until 1909. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over operation and...
The Goose Pond Path, also known as the In-Town Bike Path, offers a short paved route on the charming island of Nantucket, which lies south of Cape Cod. The trail overlooks The Creeks area of Nantucket...
Closure Notice: Starting March 15, 2021, the Lecount Hollow trailhead and parking lot will be closed as the DCR works on extending the trail; please consult the official project site for the latest...
The Nauset Trail offers a winding route through dense Cape Cod woodlands, providing a pleasant respite from the oft-crowded seashore and tourist hubs. The trail is entirely paved, with the notable...
The Mattapoisett Rail Trail is a work in progress. As of autumn 2011, it runs for just more than 1 mile between Reservation Road at Mattapoisett Harbor and the Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven, joining...
The Old Colony Rail Trail, named after the eponymous railroad line that operated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, offers a serene journey through quiet Cape Cod beach towns. At 8 miles, the trail is...
The New Bedford Hurricane Barrier was built to protect New Bedford and nearby villages from storm surge during hurricanes, but also ended up cutting off residents from the water that lay just beyond...
The New Bedford Covewalk, like the HarborWalk further east, sits atop the hurricane barrier built to protect New Bedford residents from storm surges during extreme weather. Even when it's nice out...
I started at the historic fort phoenix on green street admiring the different architecture of the homes. Ride was easy, not crowded, just a bit too short. But a pleasant surprise after talking with fellow bikers. At the end of the phoenix trail, take a right onto Mattapoisett neck road, 1/2 mile on left is a cove, picnic tables overlooking the harbor. Continuing on Mattapoisett neck road 1.5 miles into a cul de sac, on the right there is a wooded trail you can bike to the water with a view of Brandt island.
The only reason i gave it a 3 was because i like a longer bike trail
I recently rode almost the entire Cape Cod Rail Trail starting in Yarmouth at Peter Homer Park and ending at its terminus in Wellfleet. The entire path is paved, mostly shaded, in near perfect condition and is wide enough to accommodate many people using the trail. There are many trailheads that allow you to ride the trail for as long as you'd like. Orleans is a perfect stop to get something to eat or visit the bike shop there.
There is one short on road section that was very well marked and offered a wide bike lane to protect riders. There are numerous road crossings throughout the trail most of which are quiet two lane roads that were very lightly trafficked even on a Saturday but there are a few that were busier intersections. I must say that all of the drivers were beyond respectful to the trail riders, some of the best drivers I have interacted with and I have rode trails in many states along the east coast.
The trail was very busy on a lovely Fall afternoon, just be courteous and patient when passing and you will enjoy the Cape Cod Rail Trail!
Perfect place for bike riding. I’m one who does not like to bike on streets and this is the perfect place. Two paths on both sides of canal. Biked both and they’re both great. Parking at either end on both sides. Will definitely be back.
Took me about 20-30 miniutes from train bridge to water with a short break for water and picture, but on the way back I found my self exerting more energy and moving foward less and less. The wind was blowing me back and took over an hour the same distance that took me around 30 miniutes the other way. Overall great ride just a heads up.
This is a 4 mile rail trail that is in ok condition for road bikes with a few cracks in it. The eastern end is under construction. A pretty path going through woodland, farms and overlooking marshes. Very quiet on a hot July weekend
I enjoyed riding this trail. lots of twists and turns ups and down small hills. You start at salt pond visitor center and end up at coast guard beach. Very scenic views there. Trail has some scenic views when you go over the bridge very pretty.
This path is so well maintained with beautiful views of Falmouth. I just love it
Stopped at the beach for shells. Very clean path and the fort was great
A little bumpy (roots under pavement) and hilly but a nice way to reach Coast Guard Beach by bike, especially if coming from the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Nice boardwalk by Nauset Bay.
I went down to the Cape from Boston. Apple Maps put me in South Dennis to start. I was able to find a spot right away, although the lot was close to full. I quickly came across the first intersection of many where the path crosses the road cars drive on. That happens about 10-15 times in the first twelve miles. The path itself is pretty well maintained. I stopped at mile 12 to go to the beach, mainly because I couldn’t find the trail and the beach was close by. And the beach has bike lockers. After a quick dip, I turned around and came back. Lastly, I averaged 15mph on my bike and no one passed me. That’s just to say it’s more casual.
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