Your Guide to Exploring the Cape Cod Rail Trail
Explore Cape Cod’s diverse landscape when you bike or hike the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The trail spans across 27.5 miles and leads you through salt marshes, pine forests, cranberry bogs, sandy beaches, and briny seaports. Visitors have countless opportunities to stop in town for a quick bite to eat or to explore the unique shops and businesses that make up this charming area. Newly expanded, this sprawling path extends even further, allowing for convenient access to all the Cape has to offer. What began as a 19th-century rail line that brought travelers from New York and Boston is now a popular attraction for people looking to explore this beautiful region.
Rent a Bike or Bring Your Own
If you can’t bring your own bike, don’t fret. You can rent one from one of the many shops on the Cape before embarking on your little adventure.
- Rail Trail Bike & Kayak Shop in Brewster
- Dennis Cycle Center in South Dennis
- Orleans Cycle in Orleans
- Brewster Bike in Brewster
Ride all 27.5 miles of the Cape Cod Rail Trail
The trail begins near the Inn at Yarmouth Port and meets a local bike trail at Peter Homer Memorial Park. The path winds through a wooded area for the first 2.5 miles and brings you to an old trailhead in South Dennis. Here, you can stop to picnic or grab an ice cream. You can then choose to ride east for 7 miles through Hacker Wildlife Sanctuary and end your ride in Chatham, or you can continue heading north from Harwich.
Passing kettle ponds formed by melted glaciers and charming general stores, you’ll begin nearing Nickerson State Park around mile 14 of your ride. After this, you’ll hit the busy town of Orleans where you can check out some of the local restaurants and shops. Continue on for 3.5 miles, and you’ll come to Cape Cod National Seashore. Spend the rest of your ride stopping at all the coastal lookouts and taking in the sweeping views. The trail ends in Wellfleet where you can dip your toes in either the Atlantic or the Cape Cod Bay.
Stop for Stunning Photo Opportunities
During your ride, you’ll come across a myriad of stunning landscapes that make for the perfect photo opportunity. Peruse the charming, colorful towns for a taste of Cape Cod culture. Riders encounter everything from salt marsh terrain and densely forested sections to beachfront picnic areas and maroon seas of cranberry bogs. Make a point to capture examples of the natural Cape’s diverse ecosystems.
Return to the Inn at Yarmouth Port
After a long day cruising the Cape Cod Rail Trail, rest yourself at the Inn at Yarmouth Port. Our accommodations emit refined elegance through the use of natural light, thoughtful service, and attention to detail. With glowing guest reviews, we delight our visitors by providing them with the vacation of their dreams. We hope to see you soon!