CAPE COD TRAIL DIRECTIONS

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Find Your Way To Cape Cod Cycling Routes And MTB Trails

We’ve put together a cheat sheet of directions to get you to Cape Cod bike path parking areas and trailheads. Click on the trail / path to get driving directions. There’s also a map below:

Cape Cod Canal Bikeway

From the Bourne Bridge:
Head west off the South Bourne (Cape-side) Rotary at the bridge. Take the first right and continue along until you see a T intersection. Then, turn right. Parking lot is immediately on the left after you go back under the bridge. Restrooms are open in-season. Click here for a map of the Bourne Bridge area.

Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center
Take Route 6 to exit 2. Turn left following Route 130 N into Sandwich Center. At Sandwich Center fork, bear left to continue on Route 130 N. Turn right on Tupper Road. (Sandwich Glass Museum on corner). At traffic lights, cross over Route 6A, then take first right at Town Neck Road. Take second left on Coast Guard Road. Turn right at end on Ed Moffitt Drive to enter the Visitor Center parking lot. The building resides next to Joe’s Lobster Mart and across from Seafood Sam’s.

Cape Cod Rail Trail

The CCRT starts at the S. Dennis trailhead parking area, conveniently located just minutes from Route 6 on Route 134. Get off at Exit 9A and head south on Route 134 past Patriots Square plaza and Cumberland Farms. About 1/2 mile down from the exit you’ll see a sign and parking lot on the left – turn here for the trail entrance.

Nickerson State Park Network

Parking can be found in two consecutive lots on the right-hand side of Route 6A heading east towards Orleans. The first one (sign pictured left, lot pictured below, right) is a dirt driveway leading back to an open area big enough for maybe 15 – 20 cars. During the summer, Idle Times Bike Shop (located in Eastham) operates a satellite location here providing bicycle rentals, repair and a limited selection of parts and accessories.

The second lot is much larger, holding 30 – 50 cars. It’s the next immediate turn on the same side of Rt. 6A past the first parking area driveway and sign. Upon turning, bear right at the main entrance to the State Park. Featuring picnic areas, restrooms and telephones, this lot is ideal for families planning a day of riding on the Rail Trail, Nickerson or both.

Keep in mind that both lots are also easily accessible from Route 6 by getting off at Exit 12 and heading north on Route 6A in Orleans. Continue on Rt. 6A past the town border into Brewster. The parking areas are located about 2.5 miles down the road on your left from this direction.

Hathaways Pond Conservation Area

The parking area lies adjacent to the public beach down a hill from the main entrance off Phinneys Lane. At the Route 132/Phinneys Lane intersection, go north on Phinneys towards Route 6A. Look for the green sign on your left about 3/10 of a mile down. Drive down main entrance way then bear right at the cul-de-sac. Parking is located immediately at the hill’s bottom directly in front of you. this dirt/gravel lot extends all the way to the left along lake’s recreational beachfront area.

Old Jail Lane Conservation Area

Parking is located directly off Old Jail Lane. Take Phinneys Lane from the 132 intersection and travel approximately 1 mile. Just beyond the Route 6 overpass, Old Jail Lane angles off sharply to your left. The small 5-car lot is a 1/2 mile down on the left. Be sure to watch closely for the sign, as you can easily drive past it by accident. Leave your car here and ride down to the end of this private way where a home resides on the left. Straight ahead is the trailhead for these conservation paths.

Otis Atwood Conservation Area

Parking is located right off Osterville-West Barnstable Road. Take Route 6 to Exit 5 and head south on Route 149. When it curves right, bear left on Osterville-West Barnstable Road and travel 300 yds to a narrow half-moon pulloff on your right. Parking is plentiful, and the trailhead is conveniently located directly at the center of this lot.

Trail of Tears (W. Barnstable Conservation Area)

Three trailhead parking areas provide easy access. The largest is located right after the new Route 149 mini-rotary – go halfway around roundabout (straight) on 149, then make an immediate right on the Service Road. drive 1 block and look for the parking area on your left.

The second one is off Farmersville Road. Take Route 149 south until you reach a small rotary. Exit on Race Lane and drive just under 2 miles. The parking area is in the woods on your right where Race Lane turn into Farmersville Road.

The third area is on Popple Bottom Road, just north of the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course. Take Popple Bottom Road off Route 149 and look for the entrance on your right.

Willow St. (Hyannis Ponds Conservation Area)

Access is a snap due to the trail system’s immediate proximity to Route 6. From the highway, get off at Exit 7 and take Willow St. towards the highway overpasses. There are two places to park. The original spot is a dirt area diagonal across from Route 6 eastbound exit ramps – just pull in past the guardrail and park underneath the first overpass.

The second spot is diagonally across the street at IFAW (International fund for Animal Welfare). They’ve granted parking access for cyclists in the back of their business lot. Please don’t abuse this privilege – it’s up to us as mountain bikers to respect their generosity.

Falmouth Shining Sea Bikeway

To reach the Shining Sea Bikeway, take Route 24 south to 1-495 south to the Bourne Bridge. From points north, take Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge rotary. Follow the signs to Buzzards Bay/Falmouth, then cross over the Bourne Bridge. From Bourne Bridge: travel Rt. 28 south to Falmouth. Fork right onto Locust Road Entry to the bikeway parking area is a mile down on the right just past Pin Oak Way. The newer North Falmouth parking area is located on the corner of County Road and Route 151.

Nauset Marsh Trail (Cape Cod National Seashore)

Parking is located at Salt Pond Visitor Center off Route 6 in Eastham. Just bear right at the signs for the National Seashore (heading east) and immediately turn right again into the lot, which is adjacent to the Nauset Marsh Trail entrance. The trailhead resides at the far end of the parking lot, curving right past a small plot of apple trees. Begin here and travel into a stand of locust trees to start your journey. Be sure to watch for other cyclists and pedestrians, as this is a well-traveled route during the summer season.

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