Shining Seas Bikeway

Massachusett’s Shining Sea Bikeway is on Cape Cod and runs 11 miles from North Falmouth to Woods Hole. The creation of the trail began in the 1970s when the Town of Falmouth purchased the rail line from the defunct Penn Central for $329,000. Rail service south of North Falmouth ceased in 1989, and in early 2009, the town of Falmouth completed the extension of the trail northward an additional eight miles along the abandoned rail line, terminating close to the border between North Falmouth and Bourne. As with all rails-to-trails, it is mostly level with some gradual rises and dips.




The northern end briefly runs alongside active tracks in North Falmouth. The trail is asphalt for its entirety and in good condition in 2009. A number of small residential streets are easily crossed but one larger road requires some caution. Much of the trail is tree shrouded and verdant, but as you approach Woods Hole, you get glimpses of water...



...and eventually the ocean, including nearly a mile along Surf Drive Beach on Vineyard Sound. It runs past several public parking areas, including parking for the Wood's Hole Ferry.
Rest benches are liberally spotted along the trail and washrooms are available at some trailheads.




The Shining Sea Bikeway was named for the line in the song America The Beautiful, written by Falmouth native Katharine Lee Bates and a plaque honors her near Woods Hole.

To reach the Shining Sea Bikeway, take Rt. 24 south to 1-495 south to the Bourne Bridge. From points north, take Rt. 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge rotary. Follow the signs to Buzzards Bay/Falmouth, then cross over the Bourne Bridge. From Bourne Bridge: travel Rt. 28 south to Falmouth. Fork right onto Locust Road. Entry to the bikeway parking area is a mile down on the right just past Pin Oak Way.

Map of trail is here.

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