Lynn-Nahant Reservation

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Terrain

Flat

Surface

Black asphalt and concrete with seems

Scenery

Sand, people, and sea breezes

Auto Traffic

None

Pedestrian Traffic

Moderate

Distance

2.5 miles

Lynn/Nahant

The Lynn-Nahant Beach Reservation’s 2.5 mile promenade is a paved path that runs along the shore line. It offers cyclists, joggers, and skaters a welcome and nearby retreat from Boston’s hot urban sprawl. A cool steady breeze will carry you either up or back. Seaweed often blankets the shore, while various species of migrating shore birds soar overhead.

How to Get There

The best way to get to the Lynn-Nahant Beach Reservation is to take Rte. 1 north out of Boston. Cross the Tobin Bridge ($.50) to Rte. 16. Travel east on Rte. 16 to Rte. 1A and proceed north. Rte. 1A will cross the General Edwards Bridge. Stay on Rte. 1A and turn right on Rte. 129 and then right again on Lynn Shore Drive. The ocean will be on your left. Proceed south. Parking is free along the shore and at the Ward Bathhouse. If you go down another mile there is a large parking lot for bathers. Here parking is about $2. You can also take the 25 minute commuter rail ride out of North Station to Swampscott. The fare is $2.50 and trains leave about every two hours.

Where to Skate

Starting from the Lynn-Nahant parking lot, an asphalt path known as The Promenade takes you up the shore line. The pavement is smooth, flat, and relatively easy. One mile up is the Ward Bathhouse which houses bathroom facilities, fresh water, and a display of local history. Past the bathhouse, the asphalt turns to concrete with seams. Here the skating is not quite as smooth, as the concrete is weather-beaten. A small hill takes you up to Red Rock. If you stay on the path you can circle this rock and then proceed north again until you get to Swampscott. Anthony’s Hawthorn by the Sea, a well-known restaurant, will be on your right. The parking lot is a good place to turn around.

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Disclaimer

Printing of this page for personal use is not restricted. The use of this page for any commercial endeavor requires prior written approval and may involve some financial consideration. All material copyright 2000 by InLine Club of Boston. Reproduction of this page without this Disclaimer in its entirety is forbidden.

The materials provided here are used at one's own risk; injuries do occur while skating. By providing these materials, InLine Club of Boston and the authors makes no implicit or explicit guarantee that you will not be injured while skating at these or any other locations. Skaters should wear appropriate protective equipment including a helmet at all times and should have developed plans for what to do in the event they suddenly need to obtain medical assistance.

The ICB makes no guarantees that the information provided herein is completely accurate or current. If you know of any discrepencies, please notify us so that we may correct them.