Charles River Bike PathClose this Window |
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Terrain Flat Surface Smooth with some gravel Scenery Charles River on one side, colleges on the other Auto Traffic Moderate Pedestrian Traffic Moderate Distance 17 miles |
Boston/Cambridge/Newton/Watertown A favorite route for many Boston residents is the Charles River loop. If you are interested in a training skate or just want to get a good workout, this path can be ideal. The total round trip distance from the Science Museum to Watertown Square and back is 17 miles. One of the joys of this route is that the frequent bridges allow you to customize your own course for length and surface conditions. Parts of this loop are used by various organizations for events and recreation. For example, In-Line Skate Boston, a yearly charity pledge-skating event, starts at the Hatch Shell, tours past the Science Museum, past MIT, over the Mass. Ave. Bridge, and back to the Hatch Shell. On closed roads! This is one of only two times a year you can skate on Storrow Drive (July 4th is the other). Also, on Sundays, beginning in early spring, Memorial Drive is closed off from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm to motor vehicle traffic from Western Avenue to the Eliot Bridge and the area is transformed into Riverbend Park Memorial Drive Recreation Area. When the weather is good and the days are long, you’re virtually guaranteed to meet fellow skaters along the river.
If you’re too far from Charles Street to skate, take the Red Line to Charles Street. Cross over the pedestrian bridge and head towards the Hatch Shell. If you live outside of Boston, take Rte. 2 south to Cambridge and head west on Memorial Drive. You can usually find parking around MIT, and either skate to the Hatch Shell on the other side of the river, or hop on the path right along the MIT side of the river. There is also plenty of parking in lots along Soldier’s Field Road in Cambridge across from the Harvard Stadium. If you begin at the Hatch Shell, spend some time around the Esplanade. As you continue up the river you will pass a bridge about every half mile (see map for bridge names). Just past the North Beacon Street Bridge is a bike path that takes you to Watertown Square, the half-way point. Cross the bridge at Watertown Square and bear right. As you approach the North Beacon Street Bridge on the other side of the river, Greenough Boulevard takes a sharp left. Continue down Memorial Drive past Harvard to the MIT boat house. As you approach the Galleria Mall bear right towards the Science Museum. It is best to stick to the sidewalk. Once past the Science Museum you are back to where you started. If you did the whole loop, congratulations! Copyright ©2000-2003 |
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