Four Bike Trails in New England That Are "Wheel" Good

Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail (photo by Eric)

Do you like riding a bike but are afraid of the crazy drivers out there on the road or the awkwardness of passing pedestrians on the sidewalk? Well, the good news is that many bike trails have emerged in New England (a good number of them converted from old railroad tracks), offering paved trails and great scenery. Here are four bike trails in New England that we highly recommend:

Cape Cod Canal Trail The amazing canal water views make this seven-mile trek a  "must-visit" destination for the outdoor enthusiast visiting Cape Cod. Beautifully maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail is convenient, too, located virtually at the gateway to Cape Cod. The trail spans from Sandwich to Buzzards Bay. The views of the gigantic Sagamore and Bourne Bridges -- connecting the mainland to Cape Cod -- are worth the visit, too!

Stowe Recreation Path  Forests, meadows, rivers, arched bridges and mountain scenery highlight this 3.5 mile pathway in one of New England's most idyllic little towns. Stowe is a gem of a place with its quaint downtown and beautiful mountain views, so having a bike trail is really a godsend for those that love biking.  Not a long trail, but every second of the way is like a lifetime of scenic Vermont memories. Although we think of summer as an ideal time to bike, fall is also a fantastic time to visit the trail as the foliage is spectacular in Stowe.

Minuteman Bikeway Nice for those living or vacationing in the Boston area, the 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway spans about 11 miles from Cambridge (right next to Boston) to Bedford. Our favorite part is Lexington where you can take a break and explore this attractive suburb that is best known, along with Concord, as the where the American Revolutionary War had begun in 1775. In summer, tours are available to view the historic sites around town (including the Lexington Battle Green, the Lexington Minuteman Statue and Minuteman National Historic Park. Downtown Lexington is also nice for its pleasing mix of mom and pop shops, restaurants and tree-lined streets with historic homes.

East Bay Bike Path This 14-mile bike path spans from scenic Bristol to bustling Providence. Along the way on this well-maintained 10 ft. wide bike path, you'll experience wonderful views of the Narragansett Bay and the chance to experience more of this scenic splendor at the 464-acre Colt State Park.

Related articles:
Bristol, R.I. the all-American town
Cape Cod family summer travel ideas
40 reasons to visit Lexington and Concord
The rebirth of Providence, R.I.
Visiting Stowe, Vt.
Beautiful Colt State Park