Martha's Vineyard

InLine Skating in Greater Boston

Terrain

Varied, some hills

Surface

Smooth

Scenery

Beaches, woods, scenic towns

Auto Traffic

None on paths, can be heavy on roads

Pedestrian Traffic

Moderate

Distance

3 miles–South Beach to Edgartown 5.5 miles–Edgartown to Oak Bluffs 3.4 miles–Oak Bluffs to Vineyard Haven 7 miles–Vineyard Haven to Edgartown 10 miles–Around the State Forest

Vineyard Haven

Skating on Martha's Vineyard offers some wonderful trails and lots of varied terrain. Although it's a bit far for a day trip (1.5 hours drive to Falmouth and a 40 minute ferry ride), the island has many beautiful beaches, interesting towns, and lots of night life, which make iit a worthwhile weekend trip. Paved bike paths are located throughout the island and can be combined for a longer skate if you don't mind a little street skating. Note that skating is not allowed in downtown Edgartown or on Main St. in Oak Bluffs. However, many bike path signs direct you around the outskirts of town.

How to Get There

Take Rte. 3 South towards Falmouth. Just before the Sagamore Bridge take a right and follow the canal for 3 miles to the Bourne Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the signs to Falmouth and Woods Hole. If you are leaving your car on the mainland, follow the signs to the Steamship Authority parking lots. There are shuttle buses to the ferry. If you are bringing your car across, make reservations ahead of time. The ferry goes to either Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven.

Where to Skate

From Edgartown, start on South Water St. Follow the bike path signs down High St., right on Pease Point Way, and left on Cook St. to Main St. The path splits, and you can take Beach Rd. to Oak Bluffs or Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd. to Vineyard Haven. As you near Vineyard Haven, the path ends and you need to do some street skating if you want to go into town.

The Oak Bluffs route, which is flat and scenic, ends before you get into town; but you can cross the street to the beach side and skate along the sidewalk. For a longer route, skate from Edgartown to Oak Bluffs on Beach Rd. Turn left on Oak Bluffs Rd., past the Flying Horses Carousel, and skate straight onto Lake Ave. Bear right slightly onto New York Ave, up a long hill, and follow the signs to Vineyard Haven. There are no paths between Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. The path around the State Forest can be reached from Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd. by turning down Barnes Rd. (Look for the bike path sign.) If you are coming from Oak Bluffs, take Wing Rd. to Country Rd., right on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd., and left on Barnes Rd.

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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.