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Outdoors

Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Ride

Follow the paved bed of an old railway from South Dennis through Harwich, Brewster, Orleans and Eastham to Wellfleet, passing Nickerson State Park and the Salt Pond area of Cape Cod National Seashore. The route is relatively flat, with several tunnels and some busy road crossings.

For The Reps · Updated

bike ride scenery for Cape Cod Rail Trail near Massachusetts
Photo: Cape Cod Rail Trail Rotary, Harwich MA by John Phelan, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Massachusetts, USA
Distance
About 35 km (22 miles) one way from South Dennis to Wellfleet; the whole trail, including the Yarmouth extension, is about 41 km (25.5 miles)
Difficulty
Easy

The route

South Dennis (Route 134 trailhead) to Wellfleet (LeCount Hollow).

Most riders start at the free trailhead car park on Route 134 in South Dennis (mile 0 on the trail markers), where Barb's Bike Shop rents bikes. Other free lots include Station Avenue in South Yarmouth, Headwaters Drive in Harwich, the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham and LeCount Hollow in Wellfleet.

When to go

Open all year from sunrise to sunset. April to October is the main riding season, and summer middays are busiest around Orleans and Nickerson State Park.

Permits and fees

No permit or trail fee. The trailhead lots listed by the Friends of the Cape Cod Rail Trail are free; Nickerson State Park charges for parking from Memorial Day to 31 October ($5 for Massachusetts residents, $20 for non-residents).

Before you go

  • Trail rules in the Friends of the Cape Cod Rail Trail 2026 brochure: Class 1 e-bikes only (no throttle), a 24 km/h (15 mph) speed limit, keep right except to pass, and call 'on your left' before passing.
  • Helmets are required for riders aged 16 and under.
  • Dismount at crosswalks: cyclists do not have right of way at road crossings.
  • For a side trip, the Old Colony Rail Trail runs about 10 km (6 miles) to Chatham, and Nickerson State Park has about 13 km (8 miles) of its own trails.

What to bring

  • Helmet
  • Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
  • Water and snacks
  • Front and rear lights
  • A layer for descents and stops

Getting ready for it

Time in the saddle matters more than speed.

If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.

Staying safe

  • The trail crosses several busy roads; stop and check traffic at each one.
  • Summer crowds are heaviest around Orleans and Nickerson State Park in the middle of the day, so start early.
  • Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
  • Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against home.nps.gov, en.wikipedia.org, fccrt.org and bicyclenewengland.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.