|
|
 |
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Manuel Correllus State Forest is located on Martha's Vineyard in south-eastern Massachusetts. Vineyard Haven/Edgartown Rd., right on Barnes Rd., park on left.
General Description: Located seven miles off the southeast coast of Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is a picturesque, extremely popular New England island about 20 miles long and 10 miles wide. 5, 100-acre Manuel Correllus State Forest, located in the heart of Martha's Vineyard, is the island's largest conservation area which provides habitat for an unusual concentration of rare species and several unique sand plains communities, including grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands dominated by mixed pitch pine and scrub oak.
The Trails: The 48 mile network of dirt fire roads, bike paths, horse trails and singletrack trails that crisscross the forest are so extensive that even during "peak" times it is possible to bike and not see anyone else for hours. During the busy summer season, you will find the forest a welcome respite. It's not exactly a wilderness cycling experience as the forest surrounds the airport and the occasional buzz of overhead planes is not unusual. The trails are relatively flat with small, gentle rolling hills making it ideal for beginners and those just out for an easy cruise. Actually, mountain bikers of all levels can enjoy riding here for hours on this mix of trails, paths and fire roads. After your bike ride, head for the beach. There are many to choose from on Martha's Vineyard. A few nearby beaches include:
If you don't relish dealing with summer crowds once you leave the forest, come to Martha's Vineyard in the Spring during May or in the Fall around October, when the weather is mild and the crowds have cleared out. Almost all towns except Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head), on Martha's Vineyard have jeep roads and singletrack trails to explore by mountain bike. Pick up a map of the roads and trails on Martha's Vineyard in one of the many stores on the Island.
Getting around: Consider leaving your car on the mainland in one of the lots maintained by the ferry companies. The fee is reasonable. Avoid the hassle of trying to make advanced car ferry reservations and looking for on-island parking during the busy summer season. Bicycling is one of the best ways to explore the Island. Martha's Vineyard Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) routes connect the "down-Island" towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven with the "up-Island" towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark, and West Tisbury. VTA buses are all equipped with bike racks, so just hop on with your bike to one end of the Island and bike back. It's a great way to travel! Pay as you go, or purchase bus passes at the Edgartown Visitors Center.
Historical Note Manuel Correllus State Forest was orginally created in 1908 as the "Heath Hen Reserve," in an attempt to prevent the bird's extinction. Sadly, the last heath hen (an eastern subspecies of the prairie chicken) was seen in 1932. As part of a cooperative effort, the State Forest is now working to bring back the site's native ecosystem. The forest was named for Mr. Correllus, the state forest supervisor from 1948 through 1987. He was responsible for the creation of the trail system that the forest provides.
For More Information: Manuel F. Correllus State Forest: Phone: (508) 693-2540
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
federal & state trails / county & local trails / urban legends / massachusetts rail trails / outdoor centers & ski resorts |
|
|
|
Connecticut /
Delaware /
Maine /
Maryland /
Massachusetts /
New Hampshire /
New Jersey /
home /
special features /
in the loop /
mountain bike events calendar /
resource hub /
the bike rack /
about /
Entire contents of website, © 1999 - 2008. All rights reserved. Lynn Creative, Inc. See Terms of Use. Bikekinetix® Is A Registered Trademark of Lynn Creative Inc. |
Family
Directions & description
