Biking 

Cape Cod,

Nantucket Island,

and

Martha's Vineyard

The Province Lands Bike Trail is at the tip of Cape Cod within the Cape Cod National Seashore (National Park Service) and runs about 9 miles (with spurs) along sand dunes, as seen in this photo, and also through the lush Beech Forest. Enjoy the changing scenery and undulating terrain, but watch the paved trail closely for bumps caused by roots as well as for sand drifts blown onto the trail.

Begun in 1976, the Cape Cod Rail Trail is paved and in good repair. The rail trail extends 25 miles, connecting the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet, passing beautiful forests, salt marshes, cranberry bogs, and freshwater ponds. This trail is part of the Massachusetts State Forests and Parks System and is a former railroad right-of-way.

Martha's Vineyard's bike trails run alongside the roads as seen in this photo taken between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. This trail was extremely busy the Saturday I biked it, with dozens of bikers traveling to Edgartown and Chappaquiddick Island. Across the road (to the left) is a beautiful beach which runs for miles. Other bike trails extend to all sections of the island, and the ferry will conveniently transport you and your bike to the island, or you can rent bikes on Martha's Vineyard.

As on Martha's Vineyard, the bike trails on Nantucket Island are paved, are in good condition, and generally parallel the roads, offering safe and scenic routes around the island. A few slight hills break up the otherwise flat terrain, and since 45% of the island is preserved as open space, you often travel through scenic splendor. Again, the ferry accepts bikes or they can be rented on the island. Biking offers a far more intimate experience with the environment and culture of the islands.

photos of Chuck's biking Elderhostel program on Cape Cod and Nantucket Island