Overview
West Barnstable is one of the most popular mountain biking spots on Cape Cod. It comprises 21 miles of twisty rolling singletrack, complete with big ring downhills and short, technical climbs. This network’s greatest attribute is the variety of terrain one can encounter in any given ride. From loamy singletrack with pine needles and roots to rock gardens and deep soft sand, there’s something for everyone here. Trail management is run the Barnstable Conservation Commission and Land Management Committee.
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Area Details
Warning: hunting is allowed here during off-season!
Comprising 1,200 acres, the West Barnstable Conservation Area (WB) is Barnstable’s largest dedicated conservation land tract. As mentioned, these trails offer hallmark coastal New England pine barren terrain: twisty hardpack littered with roots, rocks and sandy climbs.
Trees here are familiar Cape Cod forest species like American beech, sassafras, white pine and red oak. On the ground, singletrack is lined with bayberry, greenbriar, sweetfern and low blueberry bushes, among others. Wildlife is also present, with regular sightings of deer, coyote, raccoon and common grey squirrels.
Since the early 2000s, WB has been greatly improved thanks to Cape Cod NEMBA and a longtime dedicated group of local volunteers. Now it’s a well maintained 21-mile trail system complete with navigational signage, NEMBA constructed scenic overlook platform and features newer fun flow-inspired sections which offset the existing traditionally technical singletrack.
If you park at the Service Rd. entrance, follow the powerlines for about 30 yds until you see a small angled trailhead on the left. This outlet brings you into the network from the Route 149 side. The trail then forks. The right loop is loamy pine needle singletrack. The left takes you on a much more rocky, technical route.
Most trails are concentrated between the Service Rd. entrance and Chase Rd. powerlines gate in Sandwich at Exit 4. Doubletrack fire roads also crisscross the entire parcel, providing even more riding opportunities. More recently, several miles of newer flow trails were cut on the backside of this network near Route 6. Many of these intersect with cross-trails, and some feature shortcuts via connecting outlets too.
Don’t forget to practice proper multi-use trail etiquette when necessary: hikers, dog walkers and equestrians all utilize West Barnstable year-round. Finally, please be careful of hunters during the off-season – check with the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife for more information!
Parking & Directions
There are three parking areas for West Barnstable. The largest one (which holds 15-20 cars) with most convenient trail access is located on Farmersville Rd. off Race Lane. This lot is easily accessible from the nearby Race Lane rotary which intersects with Route 149 in Marstons Mills. Farmersville also features a full-service trailhead kiosk for hikers and mountain bikers complete with printed maps and detailed information about the West Barnstable Conservation Area system.