Shining Sea Bikeway
Shining Sea Bikeway
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- Jane B52 contributionsFrom Sea to Shining Sea!From Woods Hole by Falmouth's Upper Common and all the way to North Falmouth, the Shining Sea Bikeway is a beautiful way to explore the town and its beaches. Parts go next to Surf Drive Beach and Trunk River Beach on the way to the Woods Hole end. Another section passes through salt marshes with lots of bird life. And the longest section travels along West Falmouth's Sippewissett Marsh, from which Chapoquoit Beach is readily accessible. The bikeway is 10 miles long, and is pretty flat, making it perfect for families.Visited September 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten March 31, 2023
- juliebergmanVentura, California261 contributionsGet on Your Bike and Ride!This was the most relaxing bike ride I've ever taken! What beautiful views and little unexpected surprises all along the way. The path is well kept and there are great vistas to stop and take in. Definitely a highlight.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten June 30, 2023
- Toronto-JohnnyV207 contributions14 years later and still lovelyOn this trip we cycled 115km. Not bad for a "taking it easy" vacation. Our longer runs were the Shining Sea Bikeway, Cape Cod Rail Trail (Orleans to Welfleet portion), and Martha's Vineyard Oak Bluffs-Edgartown-South Beach. All were lovely rides, but Shining Sea was our favourite. CCRail Trail can take you to many beautiful and interesting places. Cycling town to town on the Vineyard and enjoying the stops along the way is fun. The Shining Sea has the best variation of sites and scenario from the path itself. Forest, salt marshes and ponds, and ocean front beaches. Toss in Falmouth and Woods Hole. All the rides were great but don't miss this one.Visited August 2023Written August 14, 2023
- summerle048 contributionsRelaxing RideBeautiful trail that is very well maintained- there are so many lovely sights along the way. The trail was busy with bikes, walkers and roller bladers but there was still plenty of room for all to enjoy and explore. This is a must-do!Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 15, 2023
- Kippersforbreakfast12319 contributionsHighly recommendFabulous day! We were five aged 7-50. One of us may not have been on a bike for 10 years… it is completely flat, gorgeous scenery and easily navigated. A couple of quiet road crossings. We hired bikes from Corner cycles which was very easy having parked at the trail car park. Had a gorgeous walk round Wood’s Hole and the WHOI museum, lunch and ice-creams. We didn’t do the whole track, just Yarmouth to Wood’s Hole and back. This could not have been easier and was enjoyed by everyone (even teenagers…)Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 22, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
1,062 reviews
Excellent
906
Very good
131
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22
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3
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0
vhintlian
Naples, FL94 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
Wonderful way to spend the afternoon in good weather. Rent bikes from Art’s bike shop, take an easy ride more than 10 miles down to Falmouth or Woods Hole. Worth the trip.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe P.
Orange, MA111 contributions
Oct 2020
Nice easy flat rail trail ride with nice scenery. Towards Woods Hole you will see some ocean views, and the opposite way is more marshes and residential towards the end. Very nice rail trail worth checking out. There are places to stop along the way for pictures, a food place on the trail called the Station Grill for breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches and ice cream. There is another ice cream place that was closed, but probably open during the summer, and at Woods Hole at the entrance there is a cafe that serves hot drinks, lunch, ice cream, and pretty good pie!
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lkis229
Southington, CT575 contributions
Oct 2021
This is a beautiful easy rail trail. You pass cranberry bogs, farms, swamp land and marsh areas. It is well traveled so be sure to ride your bike safely when passing. The ride starts in Falmouth and ends at the ferry terminal in Woods Hole. There is plenty of parking at several places. You can download a map to find them ahead of time.
Written October 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RLeave
Walworth, NY160 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a flat trail that goes a long distance from North Falmouth to Woods Hole. Expect fairly heavy traffic from joggers, cyclists, walkers, and even roller-bladers! It is hardtop the whole way with several road crossings (the locals are respectful of folks crossing at the trail). The harbor in N Falmouth is very pretty, and we found a comfortable bench to eat at. In Woods Hole there is a grocery store with a grill in the back that makes sandwiches - you can eat right at the waters edge, just exit the back door and there are tables both up and down. The path and the places are very nice.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John41354
Kinnelon, NJ189 contributions
Sep 2020
Shining see bikeway is a very easy but very enjoyable 10 mile one-way bike trail. This is all very nicely paved with quite a few road crossings. Everything was well marked and you could get on the trail at many different locations. The only part that you are writing along the shoreline is between the ferry landing and just before you enter the downtown area. The rest of the ride do you see some very nice marshes with different water fowl and birds of all kinds. The day that we went there was a surprising amount of people going in both directions but everybody was very respectful.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kevin r
Saint Louis, MO4 contributions
Jul 2021
This appears to be an old rail trail that runs almost 11 miles. The changes in grade are very small. The entire trail is paved with asphalt with much of it in good condition. We traveled the trail from start to finish with our start in North Falmouth. There is a bike shop at the trail head that has nice/new bikes for about $20 per day. There is a great little restaurant along the trail in Falmouth.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane B
Boston, United States52 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
From Woods Hole by Falmouth's Upper Common and all the way to North Falmouth, the Shining Sea Bikeway is a beautiful way to explore the town and its beaches. Parts go next to Surf Drive Beach and Trunk River Beach on the way to the Woods Hole end. Another section passes through salt marshes with lots of bird life. And the longest section travels along West Falmouth's Sippewissett Marsh, from which Chapoquoit Beach is readily accessible. The bikeway is 10 miles long, and is pretty flat, making it perfect for families.
Written March 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rkris
New Haven, Connecticut13 contributions
Jul 2020
This is a lovely trail. There are 3 main parking access points. I started at Rt 151 (top of the trail) and rode south. Walkers, bikers and a few people on roller blades. Masks were recommended because the trail can get busy. Well paved with many places to stop along the way. Much more crowded down toward the beach area in Falmouth and Woods Hole.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarahfaz
Huntington, NY62 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Great experience for anybody visiting Falmouth / Wood’s Hole area. This bike trail has beautiful views and is fun for all the family. There are places where it crosses marsh, pond, and beach, and other wooded segments with lots of bunnies and birds to guide your way. We had a lovely leisurely ride.
Written July 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelgirl
45 contributions
Sep 2022
We parked behind the library in Falmouth to get to the trail because the parking lot at the trailhead was packed with families on Labor Day weekend. So, we cycled a bit on the road and it was fine. Once on the trail, it was shady and pleasant through neighborhoods, and was a flat, easy ride. We did enjoy the marsh view, seeing the Swans swimming, and enjoyed the landscape. Once we hit the beach side, the sun was shining, the piles of rocks were interesting, and the biking was great. We biked to Woods Hole, saw the ferry, and enjoyed a sandwich before returning to Falmouth. It was a great day biking the Shining Sea bikeway. We found most drivers to be very helpful to cyclists along the trail at crossroads.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beachglass2014
Hamburg, NY13 contributions
Does the shining sea bikeway trail connect in any way to the rail trail or do you have to drive somewhere else to get on the rail trail from the shining sea trail would like to know if you could ride a bike from one trail to the other .
Thank you!!
ilise_s
boston45 contributions
It does not connect to the rail trail.
Paulette999
Albany, NY57 contributions
Roughly how many miles of the Shining Sea bikeway actually have a view of the ocean? Also, if we wanted to ride only part of the trail, guaranteeing that part of it would be over the ocean, where would you recommend we start? When it's not viewing ocean, I assume it's still pleasant; what are you seeing? If we want to ride different parts of the trail on different days, is there a map that would tell us different access points? If we want to rest our bikes and take a look around, will the bikes likely be safe? Thank you!
Terri M
Graham, TX33 contributions
We are planning a visit to MA in September 2020. Are there other cycling paths in the area for ones who enjoy longer rides?
wafrye7
Waxhaw, NC214 contributions
Yes. We also did the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is the more famous and popular trail. It is in the northern part of the cape. The full trail is ~20 miles, one way. We're just occasional ride for fun bikers, so we rented at Brewster Rail Trail store at about mile marker 8, and rode about 10 miles to Eastham. Had lunch at a great clam/lobster place right on the trail (Arnold's), then turned around. But we also then took a side-trail out to the Cape Cod National Seashore, that took us right out to the beach. That part was the hilliest (old dunes, I guess) and the beachfront was beautiful
Very enjoyable. Often in the shade. Mostly flat. And we stopped in several little towns passed thru, like Orleans, where we got out and walked the shops ,etc. For the sections we rode, the Shining Seaway trail was prettier scenery, just because you were riding right along the harbor for a ways. Much of the areas next to the CCRT have tall native grasses / plants growing that block off view to the salt ponds and other scenery. Lots of locals who were in serious riding packs blowing by my wife and I!
I'd definitely do either again.
can i park overnight at the north falmouth trailhead parking lot?
sorry BDen99...that was a really helpful answer and i accidentaly hit unhelpful cuz my screen is tiny😬🥴
How many people were injured on the shining sea bike path last year 2018 ? It is clogged during the summer months. How many bike ride events were held last year 2018?
A beautiful landscape designed for experienced bike riders, pedestrians are at risk of being run over. A trip advisor#1 destination, there are increasingly safety problems by the seasonal overcrowding and use.
hollywoodtravels
Dallas, TX48 contributions
We had a great time, and wasn’t that busy for us. One of the best highlights of our trip to be honest
LoveTravel768520
Trumbull, CT
Are there bike rentals available here?
Lisa S
Boston, United States6 contributions
yes, there are a number of bike rentals in Falmouth. One is on the outskirts of town by the Percy Diner and the other is on the bike trail itself it's called bikezone cape cod.
smundell
Hannibal, MO405 contributions
Are we allowed to just walk with our baby stroller along the bikeway? He’s too young to put in a bike trailer/seat.
MNLMOM
New Haven, CT100 contributions
YES! All trail users need to be mindful of others on the trail - runners, walkers, bicyclists etc. It will be a beatiful walk! Bring a picnic/snack and a blanket to enjoy the beach section in Falmouth!
acoustic58
Hanover, MA8 contributions
From what it sounds like, this bike path is a great place. It also sounds that it is full of walkers, joggers, bikers and strollers. Is this path worth it in the summer or is this an off season place to be? It sounds like it has the potential, with all the people, to be more of a pain and than a fun day. Any ideas.
philipu2015
Bedminster, NJ355 contributions
It wide enough to accommodate the traffic you described. There are also benches along the route to take in the scenery.
acoustic58
Hanover, MA8 contributions
Looking to ride this trail within a couple days. We have our own bikes. are there any suggestions on where to park?
Cary_Ford
New York City, NY93 contributions
Free parking is available in West Falmouth where the bike path intersects Old Dock Road. Parking in Woods Hole and Falmouth could be problematic as it either costs money or is limited to a few hours. However, there are a couple free parking lots where the bike path intersects the road to Woods Hole (where the Woods Hole Road becomes Locust Street) and also where the bike path goes along the water just before you get to Woods Hole, basically where the bike path crosses Surf Drive / Oyster Pond Road. There is a dirt parking lot there away from the road. You'll see it on the bike path but may not be so visible from the road. There is also a very large parking lot for bikers right in downtown Falmouth near the bus station (Greyhound) on Depot Road. Basically you drive up Depot Road and the bus station (old railroad station) will be on your right but you pass it by about 20 yards and on your left, just as you cross over the bike path, there is a large dirt parking lot on your left. Pull in there and find a spot. It's free parking. Great spot. You can then ride around Falmouth and also take the bike path to Woods Hole. This is probably the best spot I would imagine.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Shining Sea Bikeway
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Shining Sea Bikeway Information
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