Cape Cod Rail Trail

The renowned Cape Cod Rail Trail passes through Nickerson State Park.

The Cape Cod Rail Trail is one of the brilliant success stories in the nationwide "rails to trails" movement.

Opened in 1978 and extended as recently as 1995, this trail follows the former Old Colony Railroad right of way for 22 miles through the midsection of Cape Cod's "hook."

Runners, hikers, equestrians and cyclists all utilize the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved, fairly level trail with ample amenities.

The trail goes from Route 134 in Dennis to LeCount Hollow Road in Wellfleet. Along its length you find nine parking areas, ample bike rentals, food and plenty of beaches. It runs the gamut of Cape ecosystems, from pine woods to cranberry bog, from "kettle pond" to saltwater barrier beach.

Roughly halfway along the trail is Nickerson State Park, offering 418 campsites, freshwater swimming, fishing and additional trails.

Two miles from Nickerson, the trail uses one-eighth of a mile of Skaket Beach Road in the Town of Orleans.

Farther along are the Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitor Center and, near the northern terminus, the historic Marconi Area.

Two new bicycle bridges over Route 6 in Harwich and Orleans, the new culvert under the Bike Path at Boatmeadow River Creek in Eastham and Phase 1 repaving in Brewster from Underpass Road to Millstone Road have recently improved bike safety along Massachusetts' longest paved rail trail.