Biking Cape Cod Canal: Cape Side
Easy Scenic Ride on Seven Mile Paved Trail From Sandwich to Bourne
Take a break from Cape Cod's beaches and cycle alongside ships to historic sites or just enjoy the view. Multiple access points allow families to enjoy shorter trips.
This bicycle trip from Sandwich to Bourne includes stops to watch oceangoing freighters, pleasure yachts and working fishing boats pass by, a visit to a trading post opened in 1627 and three picnic lunch site options. On the return trip cycle around Sandwich Marina to visit the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center to learn more about the history of the widest sea level canal in the world.
History of the Cape Cod Canal
The Cape Cod Canal opened in the late 1920s, having been built to allow ships to avoid the treacherous trip around the peninsula in stormy weather. Access roads were built on either side of the canal for maintenance. Today, those roads also serve as recreational trails with only a few official vehicles allowed on them.
Near the Bourne end of the trail visit the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum Complex which includes the trading post, opened in the early 1620s and now a museum, a windmill, salt works and the remains of the Gray Gables Railroad Station, built for President Grover Cleveland’s regular visits to Cape Cod. While at the Bourne end of the trail it may be possible to watch the working railroad bridge in action as it is lowered into place over the canal for trains and then raised for boat traffic.
Biking the Canal Trail on the Cape Cod Side
On the Cape Cod side, the trail has fewer access points and is slightly less busy. It will be necessary to pack a picnic lunch or pick up food and drink in Sandwich or Bourne Village, as there are no concessions on the trail.
The bicycle trail itself is reasonably level with only a few small rises. Even in winter, except after big snowstorms, the trail is usually rideable.It can be biked roundtrip in a couple of hours. But it is worth taking time to savor the views. Benches are placed at various points along the way to sit and watch the boat traffic go by. The Cape Cod Canal hosts everything from recreational fishing boats to private yachts to container ships.
On returning to the parking lot in Sandwich, it is worth the extra ride, walk or drive to visit the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center just the other side of the marina to learn more about the canal’s history and function and the plants and animals of the area. Open from May to October, admission to the Visitor Center is free.
Access to the Trail from Sandwich and Bourne
The trail can be accessed from Sandwich by taking Tupper Road off of Route 6A. Follow signs for the Canal and Town Marina onto Freezer Road. The road will lead into the Sandcatcher Recreation Area.
To access the trail from the Tidal Flats Recreation Area, take Trowbridge Road off the Bourne Rotary to Shore Road and then Bell Road and into the parking area.
For the Bourne Recreation Area entrance take 6 West from the Bourne Bridge, then take the first right toward Monument Beach and follow it to the T-junction and taking a right into the parking area.
All three areas provide public restrooms (Bourne and Tidal Flats in season only, Sandwich year round) and picnic tables.
