Cape Cod Canal Bikeway

If you’re looking for an easygoing, scenic bike ride, there are few better places than the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway. This wide, paved pair of paths – actually U.S. Army Corps of Engineers service roads – run approximately 7 miles on either side of the canal, offering unique views of ships, barges, and tugs chugging between Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay.

Features

With boats parading past, birds spiraling overhead, and the smell of salt in the air, the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway has all the ingredients of a perfect summer day. (Though it’s great in other seasons, too!) The bike path is actually a service road for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but it’s used as a recreational destination where locals and visitors ride, walk, and fish.

The bikeway connects several recreation areas along the Cape Cod Canal, including Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, Herring Run Recreation Area, Bourne Recreation Area, and Tidal Flats Recreation Area. At each of these spots, you can start your ride or sit, picnic, and relax when you’re ready for a break.

Trails

The paved Cape Cod Canal Bikeway runs on both sides of the canal. There are 7 miles of path on the north side and 6.5 miles on the south side. The path is flat and wide, so it’s perfect for young children, active adults, and everyone in between. (Download trail map)

You can access the bikeway from a half-dozen recreation areas along the canal. We recommend starting at the railroad bridge – either at Buzzards Bay Recreation Area on the mainland side or Tidal Flats Recreation Area on the Cape side. From these two places, you can bike all the way to Cape Cod Bay!

Because this path is also the canal service road, be careful of the occasional service vehicle that may be using it.

Habitats & Wildlife

The Cape Cod Canal is a bustling industrial waterway. But it also provides habitat for a wide variety of species, from gulls, ospreys, and cormorants in the air to stripers and sea bass teeming beneath the waves. These fish make the canal a destination for anglers hoping to hook a prized sportfish from shore.

If you’re biking on the north side of the canal, take a break at Herring Run Recreation Area to view the fish ladder and herring run. In the spring, river herring splash their way upstream to spawn in Plymouth’s ponds.

Property Owned By

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to strengthen our nation’s security by building and maintaining America’s infrastructure.

Details
Size: 7 miles north side/6.5 miles south side
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Parking: Medium/Large paved parking areas at all recreation areas along bikeway
Cost: Free
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Dogs: Yes (on leash)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Picnic Tables
ADA Accessible: Yes

Please follow all posted rules and regulations at this property.

Address & Contact Information
Canal Service Road
Bourne, MA 02532
41.743575, -70.612255

Please follow all posted rules and regulations at this property.

Cape Cod Canal Bikeway
Bourne, MA
View larger map

Related Stories

URGENT – Watershed Ride Route & Weather Update
Championing two causes at the Watershed Ride

Ken Cheitlin will be riding in his ninth Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, once again leading the charge for the Bourne Rail Trail Blazers team.

Full Story ›
10 beautiful beaches on Buzzards Bay to visit this summer

Some of these Buzzards Bay beaches are crowd favorites, while others are hidden gems waiting for you to discover.

Full Story ›

Upcoming Events Near Here

Buzzards Bay Swim – Registration Now Open!
Sat, June 22
6:30AM - 10:30AM
Fort Phoenix State Reservation,
Fairhaven
Falmouth Road Race
Sun, August 18
Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights,
Falmouth
Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride
Sun, October 06
Sakonnnet Point to Woods Hole,
Falmouth

Nearby Places To Go

Buzzards Bay Recreation Area

Explore the Cape Cod Canal from Buzzards Bay Recreation Area in Bourne, located at the foot of the iconic railroad bridge.

Herring Run Recreation Area

Herring Run Recreation Area's name tells you why it's special — it's home to a herring run on Cape Cod Canal.

Tidal Flats Recreation Area

Explore the Cape Cod Canal from Tidal Flats Recreation Area in Bourne, located at the foot of the iconic railroad bridge.

Current Issues

Nitrogen Pollution

Nitrogen pollution is the greatest long-term threat to the health of Buzzards Bay. We all contribute nitrogen pollution to our local waterways. Fortunately, we can all do our part to stop it.

Read More ›