Find the top rated hiking trails in Sandwich, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This bike path between Bristol and India Park in Providence was just what I had hoped for: picturesque views, charming towns and homes, beautiful foliage, and friendly people of all ages!
In addition, there were a few surprises. I discovered that this path is a definite paradise for bird lovers. It even passes right by an Audubon Nature Center accessible by the path! There were also many interesting historical aspects such as the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, remnants of the old railroad, and the Squantum Association mansion. The best surprise and highlight for me was the Spooky Bottom Scenic Dock. Don't skip or miss this! I barely noticed the small sign for it. It's not spooky, and it's not a dock. It's a pier that will take you out into the bay for awesome views of the causeway, bay, and the Providence skyline including the state capital's green dome!
This path is obviously extremely popular with the community: walkers, joggers, bikers, dog walkers, and many parents pushing strollers. Also, I have never seen so many students on their way to school utilizing a path like this on their bikes. I must have seen at least thirty. That's a testament to the safety of the surrounding neighborhood and community!
I drove all the way from California to experience this trail, and I'm so glad I did. I've ridden my bike in forty-nine of our fifty states, and I definitely put this Hall of Fame trail in my top five favorites! A+, state of Rhode Island!
Very picturesque trail. Flat easy to ride. We went on a nice late October day. I can see in summer this trail might be very busy. We had lunch at the Woods Hole end in the tavern. Nice spot, we locked our bikes to their orchard rails by the road. Fun day.
Although Martha's Vineyard is beautiful--I would highly suggest biking only from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown. All the bike trails are literally right along the highway, with cars, trucks, and tour buses zooming by at ridiculous speeds. We were surprised because there was so much advertising about biking on the island that we thought for sure it would be a fantastic experience. Leaving Edgartown we road the so-called trail along the Edgerton West Tilsbury highway it was seriously not something I would never do again --as an experienced biker and love most trails this was just too boring unless you like riding 3 feet from the highway. We ended up cutting the ride short and going north back to Vineyard Haven. We did get in 21 miles, but I would skip biking on Martha's Vineyard and head back to the Cape to check out the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is beautiful, scenic and a gem to ride on.
Southeast of Barrington bridge under construction. Detour signs
Wonderful & accessible trail. We biked over from Popes Island and rode the length of the trail. Seems like there’s ample parking at both ends and ramps make it easily accessible. Great view of the commercial fishing boats entering the inner harbor as well as the MV Wind Project staging at the west side.
Flat and well paved, easy access to small parks and benches. Sharing the trail with dog walkers is a part of fun.There is a breakfast place and an ice cream shop by the city parking lot at the west end!
I started my ride from Fairhaven the Phoenix trail and continued east. Many small side trips options .There are plenty of parking options on Mattapoisett end too.
I love this bike path but today was a nightmare. The area of the bike path shortly after Martin Street (you go under Martin Street) has disturbed bees. As I was riding, one smacked into me under my left eye. Stung like crazy. Kept going and on the way back, in the same area, another one smacked into me under my right eye and stung me. RI Parks and Recreation have been doing a lot of work on the trail lately including mowing the sides of the trail so they may have disturbed them.
Started at India Park and went the whole length of the path. Just beautiful! The path is well maintained and pretty flat all the way, plenty of shaded path.
Observations:
1. Plenty of bikers, walkers, strollers, dogs, etc. but not overwhelming
2. Yes, it is just under 7 miles each way
3. From maps you would think the two bridges over the canal would offer opportunities to bike to the other side. Having crossed on one of these by car there are 3 or 4 reasons why I feel neither would be a good/fun choice. Best to go & return on the same side.
4. It's along a canal. OK, no surprise and interesting history. However the scenery doesn't really vary and apart from a few cormorants here and there not much is going on wildlife wise.
5. We combined this ride with a walk thru the Heritage Museum & Gardens in Sandwich. A botanical delight that included a fascinating antique car exhibit.
This was my first time at this trail. I took the reviews to heart
and chose to park at the Horgan Elementary School lot (near
some Tennis Courts and the Red Caboose!).
Despite out-of-state plates, I had no challenges parking. No stickers or anything were required and
the parking area felt safe.
I chose to Rollerblade on the trail WEST to the End in Coventry.
The first 2 to 2.5 miles are not-so-pretty. It is very urban...some "small" tent out-croppings
along the right-hand bank of the river -- and very industrial....
I kinda wondered why I was there (though felt safe).
The pavement had some bubbly spots and the wooden bridges are a bit course on Rollerblades (keep your momentum up and you can get right across them...or stop fully and take in the views...)
But after you get past the "urban" areas...the trail West toward Coventry REALLY begins to shine. It does have a gradual upward slope most of the way, but seriously quite doable. The quality of the pavement gets better and better and there was only very minor debris on the path. A VERY good path to Rollerblade!
I chose to Rollerblade on the RIGHT side going in both directions, so as to not have to square off with any fast moving bikes. Everyone on the path was VERY warm and courteous!
The major part of the path through Coventry is truly gorgeous...and well worth the ride!
I confirmed with MANY bikers that the stretch EASTWARD to Cranston is NOT suitable for Rollerbladers...Many of the bikers said that it even stinks for bikes actually!
So, the segment from the Horgan Elementary School to Coventry (sort of going "RIGHT" on the trail if tennis courts are behind you) is the place to go!
Couple more things:
There do appear to be some VERY nice parking areas a bit further into Coventry and one MIGHT be able to skip the first 2-2.5 miles of the trail and park just a tad bit closer toward Coventry....That 2-2.5 miles is kinda "crummy", so you're really not missing anything. I don't know the names of those parking areas -- but did not see any signs saying "Residents Only" or anything.
Also, the GENERAL STORE at the very far end of the trail in Coventry is no longer open...so don't plan on getting water or anything there. There ARE a few gas stations one can see along the trail and the very cute ice-cream shop that many have mentioned, as well!
Lastly -- the trail does end very suddenly, when you reach the end in Coventry and there is a Map/Sign that seems to imply that the trail continues into Connecticut....That apparently is NOT true "yet"...but is being planned.
When you look on the backside of the Granite Mile Markers (heading West), they will IMPLY that that you have like 4 or 5 miles MORE to go, but you will hit the END of the trail at around Mile Marker 4.7 -- so it appears that they FUTURE proofed the Mile Markers and included the distance that WOULD be there if the trail did continue into Connecticut.
Several bikers said that one COULD continue into Connecticut via the very busy looking road. I chose not to, being on Rollerblades.
If you are close to Coventry -- start at the Coventry end and blade/bike/walk/run all the way toward the other end -- and simply stop and turn around when it starts to get "uglier"...the final very, very large wooden bridge may be a place to stop and turn around.
Anyway -- it was a GREAT experience...but that first 2 - 2.5 miles from the Horgan School West toward Coventry is a tragic sort of area...the trail itself is okay, but as you head West, you will see what the 5-Stars are all about!!
Enjoy!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!