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Biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail is the perfect scenic, family friendly bicycling vacation. It follows the old railroad bed for 25 miles (one way) through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. The trail is paved, relatively flat with few hills and well-marked auto crossings. Along it's length, the rail trail passes through towns, past beaches and a variety of habitats such as pine forest, salt marshes, cranberry bogs and freshwater “kettle” ponds (formed by glaciers). These habitats also support a diverse wildlife population. The first stretch of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, between the towns of Dennis and Brewster, has just been rennovated and repaved. The route is wooded, bordered by oak and pitch pine. Around Harwich, you'll bicycle past several freshwater kettle ponds, some of which are including 40-acre Hinckley Pond. In Brewster you can access Nickerson State Park right from the rail trail at mile 10.5 (halfway point). The park offers restrooms, picnic areas, food and refreshments, boating, camping, swimming and over 10 miles of mountain bike trails. As the trail heads north of the state park, pitch pine and oak forest gives way to coastal salt marsh and enters the ecelectic town of Orleans, the Gateway to the Cape Cod National Seashore. Take the time to stroll the shop lined streets, go gallery hopping, or stop for a snack. Continuing north, there is limited shade on the Cape Cod Rail Trail between Orleans and Wellfleet. Avoid it during the heat of the afternoon and go for a refreshing ocean swim! There are many opportunities to get right off the trail and hit the beach! A sampling of some good spots for beachcombing, sunbathing and ocean swimming accessible from the Cape Cod Rail Trail are:
North of Orleans, the rail trail enters an area of freshwater ponds and the Salt Pond Visitor Center. The Cape Cod Rail Trail ends just north of the Cape Cod National Seashore Marconi Area, Marconi Beach and Seashore Headquarters.
Many services for bicyclists are available along the trail, in nearby towns, beaches, visitor centers and state parks including:
Salt Pond Visitor Center: Located in Eastham is Cape Cod National Seashore's main visitor facility. There are restroom facilities (seasonal), picnic area, nature trails, a book store and a museum that highlights the Cape's diverse natural history. Short orientation films are shown daily.
Marconi Station: Located six miles north of Salt Pond Visitor Center, off Route 6 in Wellfleet. So named because from a site here, Marconi successfully completed the first transatlantic wireless communication between the U.S. and England in 1903. Restrooms are available seasonally at the Marconi Station Site and Marconi Beach. A platform above the Marconi station site offers outstanding vistas southward to Eastham, and northward to Truro. The Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail, a 1-1/2 mile nature trail starts here. (hiking only)
Province Lands Visitor Center: (Province Lands are not connected to the Rail Trail) Located at the northern end of Cape Cod National Seashore, approximately one mile from Provincetown, Massachusetts. An observation deck at the Visitor Center provides a 360-degree view of the dunes, the Atlantic Ocean and Provincetown. You may sometimes see whales here in the early fall. Be sure to ask what ranger guided activities are available. It is one of the best ways we know to discover amazing things most people miss when visiting.
Additional biking on The Cape Cod National Seashore Bike Trails: (miles 16-22) The Cape Cod Rail Trail is part of an 80 mile Cape wide network of paved and legal mountain bike trails. The following three trails are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore Bike Trail System.
Nauset Bike Trail (1.6 miles): Easy. A short bike trail can be accessed from the Salt Pond Visitor Center parking area or Doane Rock picnic area. The trail skirts the Salt Pond, travelling through fields and recovering forest. Provides scenic vistas of Nauset Marsh and Nauset Spit.
Head Of The Meadow Bike Trail (2 miles): Easy. Located about seven miles from Provincetown. Traveling north on Route 6, proceed 1/4 mile north from Highland Road exit. Look for the Head of the Meadow Beach sign on the right. Turn right and proceed two miles to the beach and bike trail head. This is a lightly-visited area where you'll find ample parking, a picnic area and restrooms (seasonal). The Bike Trail begins at the entrance to the beach. It is a nice paved, flat ride that follows a remnant of the Old King's Highway, ending at the dirt parking lot at High Head. Ideal for birdwatchers as the trail runs along the fringes of meadow which is ideal habitat for birds and other wildlife. Best viewing times are early morning or dusk.
The Province Lands Bike Trail (5 1/4 mile loop): Moderate. Not connected to the Cape Cod Rail Trail Trail can be accessed from Province Lands Visitor Center, *Beech Forest Parking Area, *Herring Cove Beach Parking Area (*beach fees may apply). You can extend your ride 2 more miles by riding the trail spurs to Herring Cove Beach, Race Point Beach and Bennet Pond. Biking is a great way to tour the vast dune system in the Province Lands as well as the Beech Forest, one of the few places in the Province Lands shaded by extensive tree cover. CAUTION: Helmets required for ages 16 and under. This is an old trail, not designed for speeds over 10MPH. You will encounter steep hills, sharp turns and low tunnels. Some areas may be covered with wind blown sand or seasonally submerged. Adult supervision recommended for children.
History: The Old Colony Railroad Company built this rail line in 1848, connecting Boston and Sandwich. By 1873 it linked Boston with Provincetown and was heavily used by visitors from New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts traveling to resorts on the Cape. The opening of bridges over Cape Cod Canal for cars caused rail use to decline. Occasional relics of the railroad era are still visible.
For more information: Park maps, bike trail maps, and trail brochures are also available on request at Visitor Centers and can be found on the Park website listed below. Department of Conservation and Recreation Phone: (302) 645-8983
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