Overview
Located directly off Willow Street near the Yarmouth/Hyannis town line, these trails were originally cut by local motocrossers back in the 1970s. Their most distinguishing feature is a “mild trials” riding flavor derived from more recent sections built by local trailmaster legend Art Hastings.
Photos
Area Details
The original main trailhead was located just left of the first Route 6 overpass heading north on Willow Street (across the train tracks). It’s actually still marked by a Cape Cod Pathways plaque and has singletrack branching off in several direction about 3/4 of the way in.
The second entrance lies about 30 yards beyond that. Entering here, the trail immediately forks in two directions – going left brings you up to the checkered water tower above Mary Dunn Rd. Starting there, yet another trail along the north side of the highway connects back to the railroad tracks. That route, called the “highway loop,” is about six miles long.
Head right and you encounter a myriad of intersecting trails, many leading out towards either Willow Street or Route 6. Some also border the backyards of residential homes. You’ll also notice sand roads meandering through the tract, leftover from an old housing development. This land was later re-zoned as a wellhead area by the Town of Barnstable. Please follow the trails crossing these roads instead of riding on them.
Topography here is hard dirt, semi-hardpack and loam, with soft soil plus sandy patches. Roots are prevalent, as well. It’s a somewhat rough ride, fairly technical in certain spots, with many twists and turns. The main left-hand trail has some small/medium-sized hills, so be prepared for random strenuous burst climbing too.
A distinct trials theme is present in certain sections. The trails are cut in an obstacle-laden manner, which means you’re forced to ride over, instead of around, most anything you encounter on the singletrack.
Another spur towards the Barnstable Municipal Airport is called Bushwood. It begins as a left extension off the main trail about 3/4 of the way through. Be prepared for a 7.5-mile ride to complete that entire loop.
Parking & Directions
In the past, everyone pulled into a dirt area underneath the overpass on Willow St. heading north towards Hyannis. The trailhead was located just beyond the railroad tracks. That egress was closed long ago, & the new “official” parking area is on Mary Dunn Rd. just south of Independence Park. Since the this only has two spaces, most cyclists end up parking in the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) across the street from the old entrance a few blocks down.
Note: IFAW asks that you only park in the very back section of their lot – please respect and abide by this request!