Top 5 New England Bike Trails to Ride This Summer

There aren’t many better ways to discover New England’s picturesque landscapes than doing it with the wind in your hair and exploring it on two wheels.

Suitable for a family adventure or a cycling getaway with friends, from the beaches of Cape Cod to the rolling hills of Vermont, why not jump on your bike and join us as we explore the best New England bike trails for a summertime vacation.

Sightsee the Coastal Charms of Cape Cod Rail Trail in Massachusetts

Cape Cod has forever been associated with its spectacular beaches, lighthouses, and seafood, so where better to start our New England cycle tour than the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT), which runs through the heart of the peninsula itself. This 25.5-mile paved cycle path perfectly interconnects the best Cape Cod scenic views on offer as you follow the historic railway tracks of the old Cape Cod Central Railroad.

Running from Yarmouth to Wellfleet in the east, this flat, family-friendly Cape Cod Rail Trail guides cyclists through Nickerson State Park and its picturesque kettle ponds. Additionally, you can peel off the CCRT at any time to admire the endless coastal stretches of Cape Cod and even visit several of the area’s splendid lighthouses, such as the Nauset Light, built as far back as the early 1800s.

Explore Cape Cod to its fullest by getting a great night’s sleep every night at the gorgeous Aiden by Best Western Cape Cod in West Yarmouth, in Massachusetts.

Cycle Along Lake Champlain’s Dazzling Shores on the Island Line Rail Trail in Vermont

You just couldn’t shortlist New England’s amazing bike trails without venturing to ride the Island Line Rail Trail in Vermont. Originally part of the repurposed Rutland Railroad’s Island Line, this stunning 13.4-mile cycle route flanks the shores of Lake Champlain as it runs from Burlington to the Champlain Islands.

Perfect for cycling with your friends and family, visitors can pedal along the bike trail and stop at any of the countless picnic spots in the parks and beaches that straddle this New England cycle trail. Throughout the year, the Island Line Rail Trail also provides riders with the chance to enjoy birding and wildlife spotting, with summertime visitors able to catch the designated Local Motion Bike Ferry to help you across the Colchester Causeway for a longer cycle expedition.

Discover this striking corner of the Green Mountain State when you book your stay at the majestic Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn & Conference Center in South Burlington, Vermont.

Bike Along the Scenic Old Railway of the Northern Rail Trail in New Hampshire

We head to New Hampshire next on our tour of the best New England cycle paths and the popular Northern Rail Trail, which once formed part of the old Boston to Montreal rail service. This impressive flat bicycle trail stretches 57.6 miles from Boscawen to Lebanon, which includes several idyllic villages, serene forest landscapes, and the chance to spot iconic remnants of the original railway’s historic past along the way.

Passing through villages such as Enfield, the Northern Rail Trail also skirts along the picturesque shores of Mascoma Lake, and we highly recommend stopping off to explore the fabulous Potter Place Railroad Station and Museum in Andover. A popular year-round cycle track, riders can head out on an e-bike during the summer or hire a snow bike in the winter months to see this part of the Granite State under a blanket of snow.

Experience the sights and sounds of the marvelous Northern Rail Trail by booking your accommodation at the Best Western West Lebanon – Hanover Hotel, ideally located in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Pedal Through the Wildlife-Rich Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Connecticut

Next up on a shortlist of inspiring New England bike trails sees us heading to the celebrated Farmington Canal Heritage Trail that links New Haven, Connecticut, with Northampton, Massachusetts. Initially built as a trade canal, before later converted into a railroad, the modern-day bike route offers a passageway through an astonishing array of nature and wildlife.

As the longest cycle trail on our list, cyclists who navigate the 81-mile track are treated to a host of eye-catching features that commemorate the bike path’s canal-orientated origins, including Lock 12 in Cheshire. However, it’s the native wildlife that most people flock to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail to see, particularly around the Cheshire and Hamden sections where riders can spot white-tailed deer, red-winged blackbirds, and during the summer, fireflies lighting up the forests at dusk.

Stay at the Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites.

Ride Along the Narragansett Bay Waterfront on the East Bay Bike Path in Rhode Island

Our final highly recommended destination on our shortlist of magnificent New England bike trails to ride has to be the East Bay Bike Path in Rhode Island. Offering scenic views and a myriad of historical landmarks to see along the way, East Bay Bike Path was created using repurposing sections of the former rail lines of the Providence and Bristol Railroads.

Running from India Point Park in Providence down along the coastline of Narragansett Bay down to Independence Park, Bristol, this 14.5-mile paved bike path is ideal for riders of any age. Not only is the East Bay Bike Path blessed with waterfront views, but we also recommend you stop in to investigate the region’s fascinating historical boatbuilding past at the Herreshoff Marine Museum along the way.

As you ride through the natural open areas of Haines Park and the Squantum Woods on your trip, know a comfortable sleep awaits when you book your stay at the Best Western Providence-Seekonk Inn in Seekonk, Massachusetts throughout your stay.