Cape Cod TrailClose this Window |
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Terrain Terrain: Flat with some small hills Surface Grainy south of Eastham, like glass to the north Scenery Golf courses, cranberry bogs, fields, and trees Auto Traffic None Pedestrian Traffic Moderate to heavy Distance 25 miles |
Dennis/Eastham With its diverse scenery, access to shops and food, and proximity to beaches and other interesting sites, the Cape Cod Rail Trail is a great skate and a great weekend destination. Although the Cape Cod Rail Trail is the farthest from downtown Boston of all the trails mentioned in this guide, the drive is only about an hour and half in light traffic. And, if you’re up for a marathon skate, check this trail out. With a recent extension, it is 25 miles long, extending from Dennis past Eastham towards South Wellfleet. Round trip, you will log nearly 50 miles. The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a rail bed that was first owned and built in the early 1880s by the Cape Cod Central Railroad Co. Today the trail begins in Dennis and runs through Harwich, Brewster, and Orleans. The original 19-mile stretch then ends at the Cape Cod National Seashore Visitors’ Center in Eastham (508) 255-3421. A six-mile extension, with some of the finest skating pavement in New England, extends north beyond the Visitors’ Center towards Wellfleet. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic can be heavy, particularly on summer weekends, but you are sure to meet fellow inline skaters. If you’re in the mood for a ramble along with your skating, walk one of the self-guided trails at the Eastham Visitors’ Center or at the Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (508) 349-2615. The trails are generally open 8 a.m. to dusk.
How to Get There To get to Dennis, take Rte. 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge. Cross the bridge and get on Rte. 6 east towards the Cape. Drive about 20 miles to South Dennis. Turn south on Rte. 134, and drive past a mall. The Rail Trail starts from a parking lot about two tenths of a mile farther south on the left. Alternatively, continue on Rte. 6 another 14 miles or so past Rte. 134 and you’ll come to the Visitors' Center in Eastham. There are many other place to access the trail, but parking, particularly in summer, can be difficult. Where to Skate You can begin your skate anywhere along the trail. If you are interested in a long skate, start at the beginning in South Dennis. Throughout this route there are several places where you will either cross roads or actually travel along a road. Use particular caution during these sections. There are several places to stop for a drink, some ice cream, or a bite to eat. There are restrooms, camping, and swimming at Nickerson State Park (508) 896-3491. The best pavement is north of the Eastham Visitor’s Center on the new extension. Copyright ©2000-2003 |
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