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The Old Colony Rail Trail, named after the 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 suitable for a short ride out and back, or a longer journey when combined with the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
About the Route
Leaving off from the eastern endpoint of the trail at Depot Road in Chatham. This end of the trail features an on-road portion, but as it travels along quiet, residential streets, even inexperienced cyclists should feel safe. Follow Hitching Post Road 0.2 mile, then turn left onto Tip Cart Drive. Cross Crowell Road in another 0.2 mile and turn right to pick up the trail. Signage points the way at this junction.
The trail passes through a short wooded area, emerging to cross Stepping Stones Road in 0.4 miles, where the athletic facilities of Monomoy Regional Middle School are visible from the trail. In 0.3 miles, cross Old Queen Anne Road, and continue down Wilfred Road for 0.6 miles via the on-street portion of the trail. Inexperienced cyclists should again face a few difficulties, as this is a quiet neighborhood street with scarcely any vehicle traffic.
After this, the trail continues past the end of Wilfred Road, looping around Chatham Municipal Airport before pausing at George Ryder Road. Although the shoulder of this busy road functions as an on-road bicycle lane, inexperienced cyclists may wish to first dismount and then use the sidewalk as it appears. This section offers a unique view of personal, small aircraft parked at the airport, located on the right side of the sidewalk. At the next crosswalk (appearing after Northwood Road to the left), follow the signs and cross the street to pick up the trail again. Although it crosses several streets along the way, the remaining 5.4 miles of the trail remain off-road.
This section of the trail meanders through wooded backyard areas that dampen the noise of the outside world. Save for the street crossings, it is easy to enjoy a quiet morning in nature, removed from the hustle and bustle of life. 3 miles from George Ryder Road, the route includes a half-roundabout and then continues along the path, passing Brooks Park and the Harwich Town Clerk on the next block, both located on the left. After crossing Pleasant Lake Avenue—1.2 miles from the half-roundabout—the trail passes Island Pond Cemetery on the right. Signage marks a cut-through to visit the Island Pond Conservation Lands, perfect for walking and hiking. The trail reaches its western end at the next roundabout and connects with the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which continues both west and north.
Connections
At the western end of the trail, the Old Colony Rail Trail connects to the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
The Old Colony Rail Trail runs between Cape Cod Rail Trail (Harwich) and Depot Rd. (Chatham), where parking is available.
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Trail starts just outside downtown Chatham near Veterans Field. There are lots of road crossings but traffic stopped in all cases to let us go. Also some places to grab a bite on the trail of you need a break.
Started in Brewster on the Cape Cod Rail Trail and 4 miles south picked up the connecting Old Colony trail into Chatham. This time I plotted the entire route on the Map My Ride app since navigating Chatham can be confusing once the rail trail ends. This time was no exception with 2 different road closings along the way. My wife likes looking around the downtown, the lighthouse and views at the southern tip is worth the trip and - if you want to see seals - further up Shore Road is the Chatham Pier Fish Market. There were 50+ there today putting on quite a show.
We entered this trail off the Cape Cod Rail Trail on our E-Bikes. Trail was in fine condition with interesting views along the way. The bonus was the Chatham road loop which takes you along the ocean and by the Chatham lighthouse. There's a map at the end of the Old Colony trail for this loop but we needed our trusty GPS to keep us on track.
Great trail. Level path for most part. Does get very busy with walkers and kids. Lots of stopping to cross road. Lots of paths to hop off bike and do some walking. A few picnic areas along the way also. At the trailhead there is an awesome place to grab breakfast or lunch: Hanger B Eatery. It is located at the Chatham Airport.
Be very aware that the last mile of the trail in the town of Chatham is on city streets with very heavy car and truck traffic. This is absolutely not safe for families that are traveling with little kids on bikes. Suggest parking at the airport or another place and begin the travel westward from there.
Rented bikes and rode this trail from the terminus in Chatham. What a great trail. Completely paved and well maintained. Mostly level with some slight inclines here and there. Nice leisurely ride. Going past the airport was neat because I was able to see a plane takeoff and another land on the different legs of the ride.
June 2021: Jumped on the trail at the parking lot at Rt 137 and Rt 28 in Chatham, which about the midpoint of this trail. Went west to the terminus, the junction with the CCRT, about 3.7 miles, mostly flat, very scenic and quiet. From there, I turned around and did the 8 miles to Chatham, then back ~4 miles to my car. Highlights: many well marked road crossings, and just short hops on roads. For my ride, at about the 12 mile point, returning from Chatham, there is a nice breakfast stop at the Chatham airport (Hanger B) I didn't go all the way to the Chatham terminus, since the traffic was building this Saturday morning. Kudos for the air and tool station that is situated at the midpoint, where I parked, at RT 137 and Rt 28 junction!
Trail for all levels. Fun with the family.
Great trail, mostly flat and very scenic.
We started our ride in Dennis on the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT). Once we hit the bike rotary around the 3 mile mark, we got onto the Old Colony. At this point, you can also continue on the CCRT. The scenery on this trail changes from cranberry bogs to ponds to forest in 8 short miles. There are many road crossings and some road riding. Road crossings are well marked and easy to follow. Services along the trail, like food and restrooms, are also well marked. The trail is reasonably flat with some small hills on the latter part. The trail ends near the old Chatham train depot, which is now a museum. NB: The museum doesn't open until mid-June.
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