Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Rhode Island, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We parked our car in the lot on Garfield Avenue, and rode 19 miles from the Cranston end to Summit, where we ate lunch at the General Store before heading back to Cranston. Compared to my home bike path, the heavily traveled Minuteman Bikeway, the Washington Secondary Path was mellllllowww, on a GORGEOUS June Sunday. I kept expecting crowds. None, just the occasional friendly rider, who usually waved and said hello.
As noted, the Coventry half is in better shape than the bumpier Cranston side. There are several ice cream places, ballfields, parks, and water views. I found porta potties between the tennis courts and ballfields near the Horgan School in West Warwick and one in a small park towards Coventry. No restroom at the trailhead so plan ahead.
Rode from the Coventry Trailhead to Cranston on a warm, sunny day. Overall the trail is pretty nice with shading from nearby trees. There are some sections that need paving repair due to bumps forming in the pavement (probably nearby tree roots). Most of the roadway intersections were fine, but may be challenging on a busy day. One intersection is notably "bad" due to its layout (Providence St (Rt-33) & Toll Gate Rd (Rt-115)). This may be a good place to get off your bike and walk this intersection (see the google street view).
We didn't have time to try out the western end of this trail, but may come back in the future for it.
The trail leads down to the ocean and it’s just a gorgeous view! Not a lot of parking, but never overcrowded.
As I am not from RI, and was not familiar with the roads in that area, I initially had a hard time finding this trail. When locating trails I use a Garmin Navigation System for directions. The listed address of "Railroad Ave" at the Amtrak trailhead didn't seem to come up in my Garmin's database. If using a GPS navigation system, search on "Kingston Station", or "Amtrak Kingston" instead.
We started in Providence at India Point Park. It was a beautiful blue bird day in the high 70's with little to no wind. A perfect day for a bike ride. However, after riding the entire length of the trail from Providence to Bristol and back, we feel this is another Hall of Fame Trail that is so over hyped it is almost criminal. First, there are no facilities anywhere on the trail. Be prepared to buy lunch somewhere if you need to go to the bathroom. The trail surface is paved and in excellent condition with lane markers dividing the trail. It is probably the best trail surface we've ever ridden on. It is very flat, but it is also very narrow. You will have to watch out for walkers and runners, ALL of whom ignore the trail signs and walk against the flow of bike traffic. Be prepared to do a lot of weaving in and out of traffic. When it comes to scenery, the bridge that you cross when leaving India Point Park from the Providence trail head is beautiful. Then there is one small section of trail about a half a mile long where the trees form a very pretty tunnel you ride through. As you get into Bristol, you get some views of the bay, (which are for the most part obscured by chain link fencing). However, for the most of the trails length, there is nothing to see except the small trees and scrub brush that lines both sides of the trail. There really isn't anything to see. For as much as this trail is hyped as a Hall of Fame Trail, we expected much more, and to be honest, were thoroughly disappointed, and left wishing we had just ridden one of our local trails instead.
I found this trail to be very easy and smooth. No bumps along the way. It’s got a few disconnects but nothing major. Hilly at times which gives you a work out. It would be awesome if it went all the way to the ocean! We parked at the train station which was crowded on a Sunday late morning.
The length of the trail is terrific, and the Coventry section (~9 miles) is wonderful, with a bridal path, lakes, pine forests, wooden planked bridges and very well maintained.
I started in West Warwick, ~ half way through the end-to-end, and first 2 miles were a bit sketchy for a single woman riding alone, but I got over my discomfort quickly. It was very easy to find the Horgan Elementary School and the trail right behind the school - plenty of parking.
Nice ride. It can longer than what is listed
New asphalt, lane markers and mile markers. Our tax dollars at work
It's an excellent path, especially the more rural Coventry section. I can't wait for the final 5-mile extension to Connecticut to be done in a few years! There's also a possible mile or so extension into Providence coming in the next several years.
The trail surface needs a little attention along some of the older parts in Cranston through West Warwick, like the East Bay had earlier this year, but overall not too bad.
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