Shining Sea Bikeway, Falmouth

The Shining Sea Bikeway is a scenic rail trail stretching 10.7 miles (17.2 kilometers) through the charming landscapes of Cape Cod in Falmouth. It begins at the Steamship Authority ferry terminal in Woods Hole and extends northward to County Road in North Falmouth. Massachusetts' oldest rail trail, it was the first in the U.S. created through eminent domain, shaping the nation's strongest rail corridor protection laws.

Named after a line in America the Beautiful-written by Falmouth native Katharine Lee Bates-the trail follows the former New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad route. This railway once connected Buzzards Bay to Falmouth Station via North and West Falmouth and Woods Hole. The Town of Falmouth acquired the rail corridor in the early 1970s, removed the tracks, and officially opened the first 3.3-mile segment of the bikeway in 1975. A significant 7.4-mile extension was added in 2009, bringing the bikeway to its present 10.7-mile length.

The Shining Sea Bikeway is a haven for cyclists, runners, and inline skaters, offering a gentle, mostly level ride with a few slight grades. Following the coastline, the bikeway offers picturesque views of the Vineyard Sound shoreline, Sippewissett Marsh, cranberry bogs, and Chapaquoit Beach, while also weaving through the Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary. Lined with native Cape Cod flora, the path provides a tranquil alternative to Falmouth’s busy summer roads.

A bike fix-it station, funded by the Falmouth Bikeways Committee, is available at Bud’s Stop pavilion. It includes essential tools, an air pump, and a hanging rack, with a QR code linking to repair guides. The Shining Sea Bikeway remains a cherished part of Cape Cod’s outdoors for recreation and commuting.