Cape Cod Trail

InLine Skating in Greater Boston

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

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

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.

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Disclaimer

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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.