We took a long bike ride on the Cape Code Rail Trail, and it was amazing! First of all, it's one of the best-kept bike trails I've ever experienced. The ride was smooth and inclines were minimal. Plus, the views are absolutely gorgeous. I recommend riding all the way through to the National Seashore. Beautiful! And an experience I won't soon forget!
I am a 45 year old, slightly out-of-shape mom, and I did this trail from the start in Dennis up to Seymour Pond and back (almost exactly 6 miles one way) with three boys ages 11-13. It was a pleasant ride, but I gave the trail only four stars because honestly, it wasn't really any different in scenery than the bike trails we have around us (southwest of Boston); if you want to see spectacular seascapes or something very Cape Cod-ish, you should probably do a different trail or a different part of this trail.I was very happy to discover that it is indeed very flat. There are definitely places where there is a very slight grade, such that you notice pedaling getting easier or harder, but overall, it was wonderfully flat. There was only one bridge, to go over Route 6 I think, and there I had to get off and walk the bike. The trail has lots of shade. There are a number of street crossings, but nothing about the crossings was particularly concerning. The trail is very wide and well-maintained, with helpful markings every tenth mile; I made use of the markings by telling the kids they could go as fast as they wanted to, but had to stop at the tenth-mile markings until I caught up. Seymour Pond was a very nice place to take a break and then turn around. It took us about 45 minutes to do the 6 miles to the pond and about 45 minutes to get back. We rented bikes at Barbara's Bike shop and were satisfied with that piece of the experience as well.
Train to Christmastown with the kids. They had so much fun. Served homemade cookies and hot chocolate to the kids. Santa came on the train and took pictures.
Nice that you can start at any of several locations, and pick your distance between Dennis and Wellfleet. All wooded, flat, and distance markings every 0.1 mile. A few ice cream stops along the way. The trail crosses roads in many locations, but the amazing thing is that all the cars stop for cyclists.
Very well maintained, well marked. From our hotel, the Cove in Orleans, we rode west to the start and back on one day & from Orleans to Wellfleet the next. An easy side trip took us to the "dunes and drop" of Marconi beach. We devoted another day to the Chatham spur. We walked the retail section and lunched at a deli in town, then drove out to Oceanview Drive for more overlooks of the Atlantic, deserted beaches and steep dunes.
We rented bikes from the rail trail bike shop in Brewster. Bikes were in good shape but wish they had tempurpedic seats! The ride was beautiful, so much fun. Made the 24 mile round trip ride to the beach park. Stopped for Lobster rolls & ice cream. Perfect fall day.
Biked this trail from Wellfleet to Three Sisters Lighthouses and back, it was an easy pleasant ride and places you can stop for ice cream or a meal.
Easy biking in a wonderful nature, plenty of stops possible for a snack or a meal. One can do the whole trail or only part of it, there are rental shops at different places.
Cape Cod has changed tremendously in the past 25 years. It has become an more excellent go-to place for vacationing and, simultaneously, a more expensive location for native Cape Codders to afford and can become a traffic jam in peak Summer months. Our exploring the mid-and-lower Cape by bicycle has been an outstanding opportunity for exercise, safer family activity, and experiencing the Cape's beauty at a slower pace. Recent bridging improvements have made the well-maintained Cape Cod Rail Trail even more safe and comfortable. From 20 years ago with our teenagers to 2014 as a senior adult couple, we have enjoyed this valuable Cape asset. With more than 20 miles of a varied and attractive environment, relatively flat cycling, free parking access in numerous locations, and access to off-path eateries, activities, local towns, and photo opportunities, I recommend that you check out and experience the Cape Cod Rail Trail for yourself! In all four seasons, it's a new experience every time.You can obtain more precise information at this Energy and Environmental Affairs website:http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/cape-cod-rail-trail.html
Easy cycling on wonderfully smooth paved paths. My only regret is that I couldn't have explored more for longer.If your time is limited on the Cape then the section from Orleans to Coastguard Beach and Lighthouse is an interesting morning. We rented 2 Trek hybrids from the cycle store in Orleans. These were well maintained with plenty of gears. There are some undulations on this route after the National Park Centre. This is only about 13-14 miles round trip but has wooded stretches, the National Seashore Park Centre (restrooms), salt marsh, beaches and lighthouse. Take a stroll along the beach to see the colony of Grey Seals playing or resting. We took our time along the way with many fellow cyclists whiz zing by of all ages and all types of bike. The crossings are well signed and car drivers must give way. Take a snack or packed lunch as there are few eating facilities along the way. On our travels around the Cape, we crossed the CCRT many times. I would definitely travel and explore this excellent cycleway again.